--- title: "Tennessee Will Signing Requirements: Witnesses & Notary" description: "Tennessee 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-tennessee" --- Will signing · Tennessee # Tennessee 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: yes. ## At a glance Witnesses At least two attesting witnesses, who sign in the testator's presence and in each other's presence (Tenn. Code 32-1-104, 2025 code text on Justia). "the signature of the testator and of at least two (2) witnesses as follows" Beneficiary as witness A will isn't invalid because an interested witness signed it (statute as quoted by the Tennessee Court of Appeals in 2018). "No will is invalidated because attested by an interested witness" Self-proving affidavit Allowed. Nolo's summary of Tenn. Code 32-2-110: the testator and the witnesses sign an affidavit before a notary. A notary isn't needed for the will itself. Handwritten wills Recognized without witnesses if the signature and material provisions are in the testator's handwriting; two witnesses must prove the handwriting at probate (Nolo, citing 32-1-105). Electronic wills Not authorized, per Nolo's Tennessee page (updated August 2025). "Tennessee currently doesn't allow e-wills" Remote witnesses Not provided for: no Tennessee law we found lets witnesses appear by video, and e-wills aren't authorized (Nolo's Tennessee page, updated August 2025). The 2020 emergency order that allowed remote will signings was temporary. Minimum age 18 or older and of sound mind (Nolo, citing Tenn. Code 32-1-102). "18 years of age or older, and of sound mind" ## 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 Tennessee](/notary/will-signing-day-checklist?state=tn). 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 - [In re Estate of Joe Marce Abbott (Tenn. Ct. App. 2018), quoting Tenn. Code 32-1-103 (Tennessee Courts)](https://test-www.tncourts.gov/sites/default/files/estateofjoemarceabbott2opn.pdf) (checked November 2026) - [Justia (statute text) (secondary source): Tenn. Code 32-1-104, Will other than holographic or nuncupative; signatures (2025 Tennessee Code, Justia)](https://law.justia.com/codes/tennessee/title-32/chapter-1/part-1/section-32-1-104) (checked November 2026) - [Nolo (secondary source): How to Make a Will in Tennessee (Nolo, updated August 2025)](https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/tennessee-make-will-32173.html) (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 Tennessee?** 2. At least two attesting witnesses, who sign in the testator's presence and in each other's presence (Tenn. Code 32-1-104, 2025 code text on Justia). **Does a will need a notary in Tennessee?** Not to be valid on the pages we read; the notary is for the self-proving affidavit. Allowed. Nolo's summary of Tenn. Code 32-2-110: the testator and the witnesses sign an affidavit before a notary. A notary isn't needed for the will itself. **Can a beneficiary witness a will in Tennessee?** A will isn't invalid because an interested witness signed it (statute as quoted by the Tennessee Court of Appeals in 2018). The statute: "No will is invalidated because attested by an interested witness." **Is a handwritten will valid in Tennessee?** Recognized without witnesses if the signature and material provisions are in the testator's handwriting; two witnesses must prove the handwriting at probate (Nolo, citing 32-1-105). **Are electronic wills allowed in Tennessee?** Not authorized, per Nolo's Tennessee page (updated August 2025). **How old do you have to be to make a will in Tennessee?** 18 or older and of sound mind (Nolo, citing Tenn. Code 32-1-102). All states: [will witness requirements by state](/notary/will-witness-requirements-by-state) · [South Dakota](/notary/will-signing-requirements-south-dakota) · [Texas](/notary/will-signing-requirements-texas) Do it yourself ### Tennessee Will Signing Day Kit Plan your Tennessee will signing from the state's own rules. At least two attesting witnesses, who sign in the testator's presence and in each other's presence (Tenn. Code 32-1-104, 2025 code text on Justia). Self-proving affidavit: Allowed. Nolo's summary of Tenn. Code 32-2-110: the testator and the witnesses sign an affidavit before a notary. A notary isn't needed for the will itself. [See what's inside ($19)](/toolkits/tennessee-will-signing-day-kit) [Free sample](/toolkits/tennessee-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)