Short answer. 2 witnesses. A self-proving affidavit is sworn before an oath officer such as a notary. Handwritten wills: no.
At a glance
- Witnesses
- Two or more witnesses who saw the testator sign or heard the testator acknowledge the will, signing in the testator's presence.
"two or more competent witnesses, who saw the testator subscribe or heard the testator acknowledge the will"
- Beneficiary as witness
- A gift to a witness is void unless two other competent witnesses who get nothing also signed. A witness who would inherit with no will can still take up to that share.
"A beneficial devise or bequest made in a will to a subscribing witness thereto shall"
- Self-proving affidavit
- Allowed at signing or later during the lives of the testator and witnesses, before an officer authorized to take acknowledgments and administer oaths.
"before an officer authorized to take acknowledgments to deeds of conveyance and to administer oaths"
- Handwritten wills
- Not recognized, per Nolo's Kansas page (updated September 2025).
"Kansas doesn't allow holographic wills."
- Electronic wills
- Not authorized, per Nolo's Kansas page (updated September 2025).
"Kansas currently doesn't allow e-wills"
- Remote witnesses
- Not provided for: no Kansas law we found lets witnesses appear by video, and e-wills aren't authorized (Nolo's Kansas page, updated September 2025).
- Minimum age
- 18 or older and of sound mind (Nolo, citing K.S.A. 59-601).
"an individual 18 years of age or older"
Signing day here
- Witnesses to bring: Bring 2 witnesses.
- Notary and the self-proving affidavit: Have a notary or another officer who can administer oaths there for the self-proving affidavit. The statute names that officer rather than notaries by name.
The full list, with ID and who shouldn't witness: signing-day checklist for Kansas.
MCC Solutions provides notaries and witnesses for signings in New Jersey (estate planning signings, the estate planning signing package, witness services). Elsewhere, a local notary can help with the self-proving affidavit.
Sources
- K.S.A. 59-606, Execution and attestation; self-proved wills (Kansas Revisor of Statutes) (checked November 2026)
- K.S.A. 59-604, Devise or bequest to witness (Kansas Office of Revisor of Statutes) (checked November 2026)
- Nolo (secondary source): How to Make Will in Kansas (Nolo, updated September 2025) (checked November 2026)
Sourced from official pages; a few facts from vetted secondary sources, marked "(secondary source)".
General information, not legal advice; we are not lawyers. Have a lawyer prepare or review your will. Checked November 2026 against the official pages listed above. Rules change, and how a rule applies to one will is a question for a lawyer licensed in the state. A notary can't give legal advice or draft a will.
Common questions
How many witnesses does a will need in Kansas?
2. Two or more witnesses who saw the testator sign or heard the testator acknowledge the will, signing in the testator's presence.
Does a will need a notary in Kansas?
Not to be valid on the pages we read; the notary is for the self-proving affidavit. Allowed at signing or later during the lives of the testator and witnesses, before an officer authorized to take acknowledgments and administer oaths.
Can a beneficiary witness a will in Kansas?
A gift to a witness is void unless two other competent witnesses who get nothing also signed. A witness who would inherit with no will can still take up to that share. The statute: "A beneficial devise or bequest made in a will to a subscribing witness thereto shall."
Is a handwritten will valid in Kansas?
Not recognized, per Nolo's Kansas page (updated September 2025).
Are electronic wills allowed in Kansas?
Not authorized, per Nolo's Kansas page (updated September 2025).
How old do you have to be to make a will in Kansas?
18 or older and of sound mind (Nolo, citing K.S.A. 59-601).
All states: will witness requirements by state · Iowa · Maine