--- title: "Rhode Island Will Signing Requirements: Witnesses & Notary" description: "Rhode Island will signing rules: 2 witnesses, beneficiary witnesses, the self-proving affidavit, handwritten wills, from the statute." url: "https://mcc-solutionsnj.com/notary/will-signing-requirements-rhode-island" --- Will signing · Rhode Island # Rhode Island will signing requirements How many witnesses, who shouldn't witness, and what the statute says about the self-proving affidavit, handwritten wills, electronic wills and the minimum age. ✓ New Jersey commissioned notary, no. 50244803, insured for errors and omissions. [See the credentials](/about/credentials) **Short answer.** 2 witnesses. A self-proving affidavit is sworn before a notary. Handwritten wills: no. ## At a glance Witnesses Two or more witnesses present at the same time, who sign in the testator's presence. "two (2) or more witnesses present at the same time" Beneficiary as witness A gift to a witness is void as to that witness (and anyone claiming through them), though the will stands and the witness can still testify to prove it (R.I. Gen. Laws 33-6-1, 2020 text on Justia). "be utterly null and void" Self-proving affidavit Allowed. Per Nolo (citing R.I. Gen. Laws 33-7-26), the testator and witnesses sign an affidavit before a notary. Handwritten wills Not recognized: a will needs witnesses, per Nolo's Rhode Island page (updated September 2025). "Rhode Island doesn't allow holographic wills" Electronic wills Not authorized, per Nolo's Rhode Island page (updated September 2025); the will must be on paper. "Rhode Island currently doesn't allow e-wills" Remote witnesses Not provided for: no Rhode Island law we found lets witnesses appear by video, and e-wills aren't authorized (Nolo's Rhode Island page, updated September 2025). Minimum age 18 or older (Nolo, citing R.I. Gen. Laws 33-5-2). "18 years of age or older" ## Worth knowing The state has a separate section for persons in military service and sailors (33-5-6). ## Signing day here - **Witnesses to bring:** Bring 2 witnesses. - **Notary and the self-proving affidavit:** Have a notary there for the self-proving affidavit. The official page we read names a notary public. The full list, with ID and who shouldn't witness: [signing-day checklist for Rhode Island](/notary/will-signing-day-checklist?state=ri). MCC Solutions provides notaries and witnesses for signings in New Jersey ([estate planning signings](/notary/estate-planning-notary), [the estate planning signing package](/notary/estate-planning-signing-package), [witness services](/notary/witness-services)). Elsewhere, a local notary can help with the self-proving affidavit. ## Sources - [R.I. Gen. Laws 33-5-5, Execution of will (Rhode Island General Assembly)](https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE33/33-5/33-5-5.htm) (checked November 2026) - [R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 33-5 index (Rhode Island General Assembly)](https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE33/33-5/INDEX.htm) (checked November 2026) - [Nolo (secondary source): How to Make a Will in Rhode Island (Nolo, updated September 2025)](https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/rhode-island-make-will-31773.html) (checked November 2026) - [Justia (statute text) (secondary source): R.I. Gen. Laws 33-6-1, Gifts to attesting witnesses (2020 Rhode Island General Laws, Justia)](https://law.justia.com/codes/rhode-island/2020/title-33/chapter-33-6/section-33-6-1/) (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 Rhode Island?** 2. Two or more witnesses present at the same time, who sign in the testator's presence. **Does a will need a notary in Rhode Island?** Not to be valid on the pages we read; the notary is for the self-proving affidavit. Allowed. Per Nolo (citing R.I. Gen. Laws 33-7-26), the testator and witnesses sign an affidavit before a notary. **Can a beneficiary witness a will in Rhode Island?** A gift to a witness is void as to that witness (and anyone claiming through them), though the will stands and the witness can still testify to prove it (R.I. Gen. Laws 33-6-1, 2020 text on Justia). The statute: "be utterly null and void." **Is a handwritten will valid in Rhode Island?** Not recognized: a will needs witnesses, per Nolo's Rhode Island page (updated September 2025). **Are electronic wills allowed in Rhode Island?** Not authorized, per Nolo's Rhode Island page (updated September 2025); the will must be on paper. **How old do you have to be to make a will in Rhode Island?** 18 or older (Nolo, citing R.I. Gen. Laws 33-5-2). All states: [will witness requirements by state](/notary/will-witness-requirements-by-state) · [Oregon](/notary/will-signing-requirements-oregon) · [South Carolina](/notary/will-signing-requirements-south-carolina) Do it yourself ### Rhode Island Will Signing Day Kit Plan your state will signing from the state's own rules. Two or more witnesses present at the same time, who sign in the testator's presence. Self-proving affidavit: Allowed. Per Nolo (citing R.I. Gen. Laws 33-7-26), the testator and witnesses sign an affidavit before a notary. [See what's inside ($19)](/toolkits/rhode-island-will-signing-day-kit) [Free sample](/toolkits/rhode-island-will-signing-day-kit#free-starter)14-day full refund ## Need a notary or witnesses in New Jersey? [See witness services](/notary/witness-services)[Call (908) 444-6373](tel:+19084446373)