Short answer. 2 witnesses. A self-proving affidavit is sworn before an oath officer such as a notary. Handwritten wills: no. Remote witnesses: yes.
At a glance
- Witnesses
- Two witnesses, each signing within a reasonable time after seeing the signing or the acknowledgment.
"signed by at least two individuals, each of whom signed within a reasonable time after witnessing"
- Beneficiary as witness
- A will, or any part of it, isn't invalid because an interested witness signed it.
"The signing of a will by an interested witness does not invalidate the will or any provision of it."
- Self-proving affidavit
- Allowed at signing or any time later. The testator and witnesses sign in the presence of an officer authorized to administer oaths.
"An attested will may be made self-proved at any time after its execution"
- Handwritten wills
- Not recognized: a handwritten will needs witnesses like any other will, per Nolo's Minnesota page, though a will validly made in another state is recognized.
"Minnesota does not allow handwritten (holographic) wills"
- Electronic wills
- Authorized. The 2023 law adopting the Uniform Electronic Wills Act brings electronic wills into the definition of a will, and a certified paper copy can stand in for the original. (Minn. Laws 2023, ch. 21 (Uniform Electronic Wills Act); Minn. Stat. 524.1-201 and 524.2-518)
"adopting the Uniform Electronic Wills Act"
- Remote witnesses
- For the will execution sections (524.2-501 to 524.2-517), presence includes being present by an electronic device or process that lets the person see and hear the testator.
"by means of an electronic device or process"
- Minimum age
- 18 or older, of sound mind.
"Any person 18 or more years of age who is of sound mind may make a will."
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 Minnesota.
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
- Minn. Stat. 524.2-502, Execution; witnessed wills (Minnesota Revisor of Statutes, 2025) (checked November 2026)
- Minn. Stat. 524.2-501, Who may make a will (Minnesota Statutes 2026, Office of the Revisor of Statutes) (checked November 2026)
- Minn. Stat. 524.2-504, Self-proved will (Minnesota Statutes 2026, Office of the Revisor of Statutes) (checked November 2026)
- Minn. Stat. 524.2-505, Who may witness (Minnesota Statutes 2026, Office of the Revisor of Statutes) (checked November 2026)
- Minnesota Laws 2023, chapter 21 (H.F. 244), Uniform Electronic Wills Act (Minnesota Revisor of Statutes) (checked November 2026)
- Minn. Stat. 524.2-518, Certification of paper copy (Minnesota Revisor of Statutes, 2025) (checked November 2026)
- Nolo (secondary source): How to Make a Will in Minnesota (Nolo) (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 Minnesota?
2. Two witnesses, each signing within a reasonable time after seeing the signing or the acknowledgment.
Does a will need a notary in Minnesota?
Not to be valid on the pages we read; the notary is for the self-proving affidavit. Allowed at signing or any time later. The testator and witnesses sign in the presence of an officer authorized to administer oaths.
Can a beneficiary witness a will in Minnesota?
A will, or any part of it, isn't invalid because an interested witness signed it. The statute: "The signing of a will by an interested witness does not invalidate the will or any provision of it."
Is a handwritten will valid in Minnesota?
Not recognized: a handwritten will needs witnesses like any other will, per Nolo's Minnesota page, though a will validly made in another state is recognized.
Can will witnesses be remote in Minnesota?
For the will execution sections (524.2-501 to 524.2-517), presence includes being present by an electronic device or process that lets the person see and hear the testator.
Are electronic wills allowed in Minnesota?
Authorized. The 2023 law adopting the Uniform Electronic Wills Act brings electronic wills into the definition of a will, and a certified paper copy can stand in for the original. (Minn. Laws 2023, ch. 21 (Uniform Electronic Wills Act); Minn. Stat. 524.1-201 and 524.2-518)
All states: will witness requirements by state · Massachusetts · Mississippi