---
title: "Will Witness Requirements by State: Notary Rules | MCC"
description: "How many witnesses a will needs in each state, who can't witness, the self-proving affidavit and notary, handwritten and electronic wills, from official…"
url: "https://mcc-solutionsnj.com/notary/will-witness-requirements-by-state"
---

Free table · Estate signings

# Will witness and notary requirements by state

Witnesses, interested-witness rules, the self-proving affidavit, handwritten, electronic and remote wills, and the minimum age, from each state's own statute pages.

✓ New Jersey commissioned notary, no. 50244803, insured for errors and omissions. [See the credentials](/about/credentials)

**Quick answer.** Most states require two witnesses who watch the testator sign. A notary isn't needed to make an ordinary will valid, but a notary (or another officer who can give oaths) takes the self-proving affidavit that saves the witnesses a trip to court later. Witnesses should be adults who get nothing under the will.

Signing soon? The [will signing day checklist](/notary/will-signing-day-checklist) takes your state and lists the witnesses, the notary, the ID and who shouldn't witness.

## Key figures

- 49 of the 50 jurisdictions with a confirmed rule require two witnesses for an ordinary will; Pennsylvania requires none in the data. 1 are not confirmed.
- 46 allow a self-proving affidavit, usually signed before a notary or another officer; for 1 it is not confirmed.
- 27 accept a handwritten (holographic) will, 2 in limited cases, and 22 do not; 0 are not confirmed.
- Remote witnessing: 10 allow it, 9 allow it in limited cases and 19 do not, on the sources read. 13 are not confirmed.

Computed from the 51 rows of the open dataset (the same data as the table) when this page loads · sources checked November 2026 · [Download CSV](/data/will-signing.csv) · [Field guide and citation](/data/will-signing)

## Will signing rules in all 50 states and DC

Select a column heading to sort. "Gift at risk" means a gift to a witness can fail unless other witnesses signed. "Oath officer" means the statute names an officer authorized to administer oaths, usually a notary. "Not confirmed" means no official page we opened stated it.

Signing a will in New Jersey? [The estate signing package (notary, witnesses and the Surrogate run)](/notary/packages/estate-package), or [book a notary visit in New Jersey](/notary/#order).

| | | | | | | | | Source |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Alabama](/notary/will-signing-requirements-alabama) | 2 | Will still valid | Yes, notary | No | No | Not confirmed | 18 | [Official page](https://talladegacountyal.org/departments/probate_office/wills_and_estates.php) |
| [Alaska](/notary/will-signing-requirements-alaska) | 2 | Will still valid | Yes, notary | Yes | No | No | 18 | [Official page](https://courts.alaska.gov/shc/probate/wills.htm) |
| [Arizona](/notary/will-signing-requirements-arizona) | 2 | Barred unless self-proved | Yes, oath officer | Yes | Yes | Limited | 18 | [Official page](https://azleg.gov/ars/14/02502.htm) |
| [Arkansas](/notary/will-signing-requirements-arkansas) | 2 | Gift at risk | Yes, notary | Yes | No | No | 18 | [Official page](https://opinions.arcourts.gov/ark/courtofappeals/en/311274/1/document.do) |
| California | 2 (age 18+) | Gift at risk | Not confirmed | Yes | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | 18 | [Official page](https://selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/sites/default/files/2026-02/6240-Statutory-will-form.pdf) |
| [Colorado](/notary/will-signing-requirements-colorado) | 2 | Will still valid | Yes, notary | Yes | Yes | Limited | 18 | [Official page](https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/HB21-1004) |
| [Connecticut](/notary/will-signing-requirements-connecticut) | 2 | Gift at risk | Yes, notary | No | No | No | 18 | [Official page](https://www.ctprobate.gov/Forms/PC-210.pdf) |
| [Delaware](/notary/will-signing-requirements-delaware) | 2 | Will still valid | Yes, oath officer | No | No | No | 18 | [Official page](https://delcode.delaware.gov/title12/title12.pdf) |
| [District of Columbia](/notary/will-signing-requirements-district-of-columbia) | 2 | Gift at risk | No affidavit | No | Yes | Limited | 18 | [Official page](https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/18-103) |
| [Florida](/notary/will-signing-requirements-florida) | 2 | Will still valid | Yes, oath officer | No | Yes | Yes | 18 | [Official page](https://m.flsenate.gov/Statutes/732.502) |
| [Georgia](/notary/will-signing-requirements-georgia) | 2 | Gift at risk | Yes, officer not stated | No | No | No | 14 | [Official page](https://georgia.gov/write-will) |
| [Hawaii](/notary/will-signing-requirements-hawaii) | 2 | Will still valid | Yes, oath officer | Yes | No | Not confirmed | 18 | [Official page](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol12_Ch0501-0588/HRS0560/HRS_0560-0002-0502.htm) |
| [Idaho](/notary/will-signing-requirements-idaho) | 2 (age 18+) | Will still valid | Yes, oath officer | Yes | Yes | Limited | 18 | [Official page](https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/Title15/T15CH2/SECT15-2-502/) |
| [Illinois](/notary/will-signing-requirements-illinois) | 2 | Gift at risk | No affidavit | No | Yes | Yes | 18 | [Official page](https://www.ilga.gov/Documents/legislation/ilcs/documents/075500050K4-3.htm) |
| [Indiana](/notary/will-signing-requirements-indiana) | 2 | Gift at risk | Yes, officer not stated | No | Yes | No | 18 | [Official page](https://legislativeupdate.courts.in.gov/2021/05/14/probate-and-property-matters-3) |
| [Iowa](/notary/will-signing-requirements-iowa) | 2 (age 16+) | Gift at risk | Yes, oath officer | No | No | Yes | 18 | [Official page](https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/2024/633.279.pdf) |
| [Kansas](/notary/will-signing-requirements-kansas) | 2 | Gift at risk | Yes, oath officer | No | No | No | 18 | [Official page](https://ksrevisor.gov/statutes/chapters/ch59/059_006_0006.html) |
| Kentucky | Not confirmed | Gift at risk | Yes, notary | Yes | Yes | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | [Official page](https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/chapter.aspx?id=39195) |
| Louisiana | 2 | Gift at risk | Yes, notary | Yes | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | 16 | [Official page](https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=108901) |
| [Maine](/notary/will-signing-requirements-maine) | 2 | Will still valid | Yes, oath officer | Yes | No | Not confirmed | 18 | [Official page](https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/18-C/title18-Csec2-502.html) |
| [Maryland](/notary/will-signing-requirements-maryland) | 2 | Not confirmed | No affidavit | Limited | Yes | Yes | 18 | [Official page](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2022RS/chapters_noln/Ch_176_hb0576T.pdf) |
| [Massachusetts](/notary/will-signing-requirements-massachusetts) | 2 | Gift at risk | Yes, oath officer | No | No | No | 18 | [Official page](https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartII/TitleII/Chapter190B/Section2-502) |
| Michigan | 2 | Will still valid | Yes, officer or declaration | Yes | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | 18 | [Official page](https://ombudsman.legislature.mi.gov/documents/mcl/pdf/MCL-700-2502.pdf) |
| [Minnesota](/notary/will-signing-requirements-minnesota) | 2 | Will still valid | Yes, oath officer | No | Yes | Yes | 18 | [Official page](https://revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/524.2-502/pdf) |
| [Mississippi](/notary/will-signing-requirements-mississippi) | 2 | Gift at risk | Yes, notary | Yes | No | No | 18 | [Official page](https://courts.ms.gov/appellatecourts/Opinions/CO159577.pdf) |
| [Missouri](/notary/will-signing-requirements-missouri) | 2 | Gift at risk | Yes, oath officer | No | Yes | Limited | 18 | [Official page](https://revisor.mo.gov/main/ViewChapter.aspx?chapter=474) |
| [Montana](/notary/will-signing-requirements-montana) | 2 | Will still valid | Yes, notary | Yes | No | Not confirmed | 18 | [Official page](https://law.justia.com/codes/montana/2022/title-72/chapter-2/part-5/section-72-2-522/) |
| [Nebraska](/notary/will-signing-requirements-nebraska) | 2 | Gift at risk | Yes, notary | Yes | No | No | 18 | [Official page](https://www.nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=30-2328) |
| [Nevada](/notary/will-signing-requirements-nevada) | 2 | Gift at risk | Yes, officer or declaration | Yes | Yes | Yes | 18 | [Official page](https://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS-133.html) |
| [New Hampshire](/notary/will-signing-requirements-new-hampshire) | 2 | Gift at risk | Yes, notary | No | No | Yes | 18 | [Official page](https://www.gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/LVI/551/551-2.htm) |
| [New Jersey](/notary/will-signing-requirements-new-jersey) | 2 (age 18+) | Will still valid | Yes, notary | Yes | No | Not confirmed | 18 | [Official page](https://www.morriscountynj.gov/files/sharedassets/public/departments/surrogate/surrogateguide.pdf) |
| [New Mexico](/notary/will-signing-requirements-new-mexico) | 2 | Will still valid | Yes, oath officer | No | No | No | 18 | [Official page](https://nmonesource.com/nmos/nmsa-unanno/en/18546/1/document.do) |
| [New York](/notary/will-signing-requirements-new-york) | 2 | Gift at risk | Yes, oath officer | Limited | Not yet | No | 18 | [Official page](https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/EPT/3-2.1) |
| [North Carolina](/notary/will-signing-requirements-north-carolina) | 2 | Gift at risk | Yes, oath officer | Yes | No | No | 18 | [Official page](https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/PDF/ByArticle/Chapter_31/Article_1.pdf) |
| [North Dakota](/notary/will-signing-requirements-north-dakota) | 2 | Will still valid | Yes, notary | Yes | Yes | Not confirmed | 18 | [Official page](https://www.ndcourts.gov/Media/Default/Legal%20Resources/Legal%20Self%20Help/Probate/Wills%20Research%20Guide.pdf) |
| [Ohio](/notary/will-signing-requirements-ohio) | 2 | Gift at risk | No affidavit | No | No | No | 18 | [Official page](https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-2107.03) |
| [Oklahoma](/notary/will-signing-requirements-oklahoma) | 2 | Gift at risk | Yes, officer or declaration | Yes | Yes | Limited | 18 | [Official page](https://oklegislature.gov/OK_Statutes/CompleteTitles/os84.pdf) |
| [Oregon](/notary/will-signing-requirements-oregon) | 2 | Will still valid | Yes, officer not stated | No | No | No | 18 | [Official page](https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/ors/ors112.html) |
| Pennsylvania | None if self-signed | Not confirmed | Yes, notary | Yes | No | Not confirmed | 18 | [Official page](https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/CT/HTM/20/00.025..HTM) |
| [Rhode Island](/notary/will-signing-requirements-rhode-island) | 2 | Gift at risk | Yes, notary | No | No | No | 18 | [Official page](https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE33/33-5/33-5-5.htm) |
| [South Carolina](/notary/will-signing-requirements-south-carolina) | 2 | Gift at risk | Yes, notary | No | No | No | 18 | [Official page](https://www.fairfieldsc.com/departments/probate-court/probates-office-faq) |
| [South Dakota](/notary/will-signing-requirements-south-dakota) | 2 | Will still valid | Yes, notary | Yes | No | Yes | 18 | [Official page](https://sdlegislature.gov/api/Statutes/29A-2-502.html) |
| [Tennessee](/notary/will-signing-requirements-tennessee) | 2 | Will still valid | Yes, notary | Yes | No | No | 18 | [Official page](https://test-www.tncourts.gov/sites/default/files/estateofjoemarceabbott2opn.pdf) |
| [Texas](/notary/will-signing-requirements-texas) | 2 (age 14+) | Gift at risk | Yes, oath officer | Yes | No | No | 18 | [Official page](https://tcss.legis.texas.gov/resources/ES/htm/ES.251.htm) |
| [Utah](/notary/will-signing-requirements-utah) | 2 | Will still valid | Yes, oath officer | Yes | Yes | Limited | 18 | [Official page](https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title75/Chapter2/C75-2-P5_1800010118000101.pdf) |
| [Vermont](/notary/will-signing-requirements-vermont) | 2 | Gift at risk | Yes, notary | No | No | Limited | 18 | [Official page](https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/fullchapter/14/001) |
| [Virginia](/notary/will-signing-requirements-virginia) | 2 | Will still valid | Yes, oath officer | Yes | No | Not confirmed | 18 | [Official page](https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacodefull/title64.2/chapter4/) |
| [Washington](/notary/will-signing-requirements-washington) | 2 | Gift at risk | Yes, oath officer | No | Yes | Yes | 18 | [Official page](https://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/Law/RCWPDF/RCW%20%2011%20%20TITLE/RCW%20%2011%20.%2012%20%20CHAPTER/RCW%20%2011%20.%2012%20%20COMBINEDCHAPTER.pdf) |
| [West Virginia](/notary/will-signing-requirements-west-virginia) | 2 | Gift at risk | Yes, oath officer | Yes | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | 18 | [Official page](https://code.wvlegislature.gov/pdf/41-1/) |
| [Wisconsin](/notary/will-signing-requirements-wisconsin) | 2 | Gift at risk | Yes, oath officer | No | No | Limited | 18 | [Official page](https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/853) |
| [Wyoming](/notary/will-signing-requirements-wyoming) | 2 | Gift at risk | Yes, oath officer | Yes | No | Yes | 18 | [Official page](https://www.wyoleg.gov/2023/Enroll/SF0099.pdf) |

## Witnesses, notaries and the self-proving affidavit

Witnesses make the will valid; the notary makes it easier to prove. At the signing, the testator signs in front of the witnesses and they sign. If the will has a self-proving affidavit, the testator and witnesses then swear to it in front of a notary or another officer who can give oaths. Our guide on [notary versus witness requirements](/notary/guides/notary-versus-witness-signature-requirements) explains the difference, and the [living will guide](/notary/guides/living-will-signing-and-witnesses) covers health care documents, which have rules of their own.

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.

General information, not legal advice; we are not lawyers. Have a lawyer prepare or review your will. Checked November 2026 against state legislature statute pages and county probate office pages, linked in the table. 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?**

Two, in all 49 jurisdictions where an official page we opened set a witness requirement. Pennsylvania's statute requires none for a will the testator signs, and two when someone signs by mark or for the testator. The witnesses watch the signing, or hear the testator acknowledge it, and then sign.

**Does a will have to be notarized?**

Not to be valid, on the pages we read for a typed will signed with witnesses. The notary comes in for the self-proving affidavit, a sworn statement by the testator and witnesses that lets the court accept the will without calling the witnesses. Louisiana is the exception: its notarial testament is signed before a notary and two witnesses.

**Who takes the self-proving affidavit?**

Most statutes we read say an officer authorized to administer oaths, which is the role a notary fills. Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee and Vermont name a notary public outright. Michigan, Nevada and Oklahoma also accept a signed statement under penalty of perjury. Our self-proving affidavit guide, linked below, walks through it.

**Can a beneficiary witness a will?**

Avoid it. In Arkansas, California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming, a gift to a witness is void or at risk unless enough other witnesses signed. Arizona bars a beneficiary or a relative of one from witnessing a will that isn't self-proved. Alabama, Alaska, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah and Virginia say an interested witness doesn't invalidate the will.

**Are handwritten wills valid?**

Where the testator writes the will by hand, the pages we read recognize it in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia and Wyoming. Maryland and New York allows it only for the armed forces in wartime service and mariners at sea. Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin require witnesses for every will.

**Can witnesses be remote, or the will electronic?**

Remote witnessing is in the statutes we read for Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Washington and Wyoming, and in a narrower form for Arizona, Colorado, District of Columbia, Idaho, Missouri, Oklahoma, Utah, Vermont and Wisconsin. Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas do not allow remote witnessing now; witnesses must be physically present. Electronic wills are authorized in Arizona, Colorado, District of Columbia, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Utah and Washington; Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming say no, and New York's law takes effect later.

**Why do some rows say 'Not confirmed'?**

We fill in a fact only after reading it on a state legislature page or a county probate office page. 335 of 357 facts are confirmed.

Related guides: [Self-proving affidavit for a will](/notary/guides/self-proving-affidavit-for-a-will) · [Living will signing and witnesses](/notary/guides/living-will-signing-and-witnesses) · [Notary versus witness requirements](/notary/guides/notary-versus-witness-signature-requirements) · [Become a witness](/notary/become-a-witness)

## Related

- [Put your family's emergency plan on paper](/notary/family-emergency-plan)
- [The paperwork after a death, handled fast](/partners/funeral-homes)
- [Does this document need a notary? Check by state](/notary/does-it-need-a-notary)
- [Executor and estate paperwork by state](/notary/executor-guide-by-state)
- [The Thanksgiving paperwork talk: what to ask your parents](/tools/guides/thanksgiving-family-paperwork-talk)
- [New baby paperwork checklist](/tools/guides/new-baby-paperwork-checklist)

**Download this data:** [CSV](/data/will-signing.csv) · [JSON](/data/will-signing.json) · [Field guide, license and citation](/data/will-signing)

51 jurisdictions, sources checked November 2026. Free under [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) with a link back.

## Need a notary or witnesses in New Jersey?

[See estate planning signings](/notary/estate-planning-notary)[Call (908) 444-6373](tel:+19084446373)