Texas Will Signing Day Kit: Texas's Witness and Notary Rules, Signing-Day Checklist, Witness Sheet and Original-Will Record

Who it is for

Anyone signing a will in Texas, and the family member, friend or office helping set up the signing. Who can make a will, per the official page: 18 or older, or married, or serving in the armed forces, and of sound mind.

Not the right fit if

The person signing isn't in Texas, you still need the will written (that's a lawyer's job), or someone may contest it. Not a will form or a legal service.

Why it is different

• Built only from our Texas will signing data file, checked November 2026 against Texas Estates Code Chapter 251, Fundamental Requirements and Provisions Relating to Wills (Texas Legislature); Nolo (secondary source): How to Make a Will in Texas (Nolo, updated September 2025); FindLaw Codes (secondary source): Texas Estates Code 254.002 (FindLaw Codes, current as of January 1, 2026).
• All 7 Texas facts are confirmed: on an official page, or where none could be read, on a vetted secondary source marked as such.
• Sources: https://tcss.legis.texas.gov/resources/ES/htm/ES.251.htm https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/texas-make-will-31744.html https://codes.findlaw.com/tx/estates-code/est-sect-254-002/

What is inside

• Start here. The 7 confirmed Texas facts at a glance.
• Texas signing-day checklist. Bring 2 witnesses, each at least 14. The rule: Two or more credible witnesses who are at least 14. Pick witnesses who get nothing under the will and aren't married to someone who does. If a beneficiary would have to witness, stop and call the lawyer first: A gift to a witness is void if the will can't be proved without that witness's testimony, except that the witness can take up to an intestate share. The gift stands if at least one disinterested, credible person corroborates the witness's testimony (Estates Code 254.002, FindLaw's code text current as of January 2026). 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. Allowed. The testator and witnesses swear to an affidavit before an officer authorized to administer oaths.
• Witness information sheet. One block per Texas witness (2 required, plus a spare). Witness age: Witnesses must be at least 14.
• Original-will storage and location record. Where the original is and who has copies. Handwritten wills in Texas: Recognized. A will written wholly in the testator's handwriting doesn't need witnesses.
• Texas will signing tracker (Excel). Steps, ID, copies and review dates. Remote witnessing in Texas: Not provided for: no Texas law we found lets witnesses appear by video, and e-wills aren't authorized (Nolo's Texas page, updated September 2025). Electronic wills: Not authorized, per Nolo's Texas page (updated September 2025).