Short answer. 2 witnesses. A self-proving affidavit is sworn before an oath officer such as a notary. Handwritten wills: yes.
At a glance
- Witnesses
- Two attesting witnesses, who each sign. The testator signs in their presence or acknowledges the signature to them.
"There must be two attesting witnesses"
- Beneficiary as witness
- A gift to a witness is void unless two other competent witnesses signed. A witness who would inherit anyway keeps up to that share.
"unless there are two other competent subscribing witnesses to the same"
- Self-proving affidavit
- Allowed, before an officer authorized to take acknowledgments and administer oaths, or by a written declaration under penalty of perjury.
"made before an officer authorized to take acknowledgments to deeds of conveyance and to administer oaths"
- Handwritten wills
- Recognized if entirely written, dated and signed by the testator's own hand. No witnesses needed.
"entirely written, dated and signed by the hand of the testator himself"
- Minimum age
- Over 18 and of sound mind.
"Every person over the age of eighteen (18) years of sound mind may, by last will, dispose of all his estate."
Worth knowing
An oral will is valid only in narrow cases: an estate of $1,000 or less, proved by two witnesses, made in military service, at sea or expecting immediate death from an injury that day.
Signing day here
- Witnesses to bring: Bring 2 witnesses.
- Notary and the self-proving affidavit: A notary or another officer who can give oaths can take the self-proving affidavit, or the witnesses can sign a statement under penalty of perjury instead.
The full list, with ID and who shouldn't witness: signing-day checklist for Oklahoma.
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.
Not confirmed on the pages we read: electronic wills, remote witnessing.
Official sources
- Oklahoma Statutes Title 84, Wills and Succession (Oklahoma Legislature, complete title) (checked November 2026)
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 Oklahoma?
2. Two attesting witnesses, who each sign. The testator signs in their presence or acknowledges the signature to them.
Does a will need a notary in Oklahoma?
Not to be valid on the pages we read; the notary is for the self-proving affidavit. Allowed, before an officer authorized to take acknowledgments and administer oaths, or by a written declaration under penalty of perjury.
Can a beneficiary witness a will in Oklahoma?
A gift to a witness is void unless two other competent witnesses signed. A witness who would inherit anyway keeps up to that share. The statute: "unless there are two other competent subscribing witnesses to the same."
Is a handwritten will valid in Oklahoma?
Recognized if entirely written, dated and signed by the testator's own hand. No witnesses needed.
How old do you have to be to make a will in Oklahoma?
Over 18 and of sound mind.
All states: will witness requirements by state · Ohio · Oregon