Reference Source

Will execution requirements by state: witnesses, notarization, holographic and electronic wills

What each US state's probate/estates code requires for a will to be validly executed: how many witnesses, whether they must sign in the testator's presence, whether notarization can substitute for witnesses, whether holographic (handwritten, unwitnessed) wills are valid, whether electronic wills are authorized, and whether a self-proving affidavit is available. Each record is one state, from that state's statute. Answers 'how many witnesses does a will need in [state]', 'is a handwritten will valid in [state]', and 'does a will need to be notarized in [state]'. The general answer (two witnesses, no notary) is right in most states and wrong in the ones that matter: holographic wills are valid in roughly half of states and void in the rest, Colorado and North Dakota allow notarization instead of witnesses, Louisiana requires a notary plus two witnesses, and a growing list (Nevada, Florida, Arizona, Indiana...) authorizes electronic wills. People executing DIY wills hit exactly these edges. Existing charts are will-vendor marketing (Gentreo, estate-bee) with no statute citations.

Records50
Sources60
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LicenceFacts from state probate statutes; statutory requirements are not copyrightable

1 record where two or more sources state different values. Both sides are reproduced on the record page, each with its own source and quote.

The data

StateWitnesses requiredHolographic willsStatute citationNotarization ruleSelf-proving affidavitElectronic wills
Alaskasigned by at least two individualsa will that does not comply with (a) of this section is valid as a holographic will, whether or not witnessed, if the signature and material portions of the document are in the testator's handwritingAlaska Stat. § 13.12.502
Arizonasources differSigned by at least two people, each of whom signed within a reasonable time after that person witnessed either the signing of the will as described in paragraph 2 of this subsection or the testator's acknowledgment of that signature or acknowledgment of the willAriz. Rev. Stat. § 14-2502
ArkansasThe execution of a will, other than holographic, must be by the signature of the testator and of at least two (2) witnesses.Ark. Code Ann. § 28-25-103
Californiawitnessed by being signed, during the testator’s lifetime, by at least two persons each of whom (A) being present at the same time, witnessed either the signing of the will or the testator’s acknowledgment of the signature or of the will and (B) understand that the instrument they sign is the testator’s willCal. Prob. Code § 6110
ColoradoSigned by at least two individuals, either prior to or after the testator's deathA will that does not comply with subsection (1) of this section is valid as a holographic will, whether or not witnessed, if the signature and material portions of the document are in the testator's handwriting.Colo. Rev. Stat. § 15-11-502Acknowledged by the testator before a notary public or other individual authorized by law to take acknowledgments
Connecticutattested by two witnesses, each of them subscribing in the testator's presenceConn. Gen. Stat. § 45a-251
Delawareattested and subscribed in testator’s presence by 2 or more credible witnesses12 Del. C. § 202
District of Columbiaattested and subscribed in the presence of the testator, by at least two credible witnessesD.C. Code § 18-103
Floridaat least two attesting witnessesA will in the testator’s handwriting that has been executed in accordance with subsection (1) shall not be considered a holographic will.Fla. Stat. § 732.502
GeorgiaA will shall be attested and subscribed in the presence of the testator by two or more competent witnesses.O.C.G.A. § 53-4-20
HawaiiSigned by at least two individuals, each of whom signed within a reasonable time after the individual witnessed either the signing of the will as described in paragraph (2) or the testator's acknowledgment of that signature or acknowledgment of the will.A will that does not comply with subsection (a) is valid as a holographic will, whether or not witnessed, if the signature and material portions of the document are in the testator's handwriting.Haw. Rev. Stat. § 560:2-502
Idahoshall be signed by at least two (2) persons each of whom witnessed either the signing or the testator’s acknowledgment of the signature or of the willIdaho Code § 15-2-502
Illinoisattested in the presence of the testator by 2 or more credible witnesses755 ILCS 5/4-3
Indianaat least two (2) witnessesInd. Code § 29-1-5-3A will executed in accordance with subsection (b) is self-proved if the witness signatures follow an attestation or self-proving clause
Iowawitnessed, at the testator’s request, by two competent persons who signed as witnesses in the presence of the testator and in the presence of each otherIowa Code § 633.279An attested will may be made self-proved at the time of its execution, or at any subsequent date, by the acknowledgment thereof by the testator and the affidavits of the witnesses
KansasSuch will shall be attested and subscribed in the presence of such party by two or more competent witnesses, who saw the testator subscribe or heard the testator acknowledge the will.Kan. Stat. Ann. § 59-606Such will, at the time of its execution or at any subsequent date during the lifetimes of the testator and the witnesses, may be made self-proved, and the testimony of the witnesses in the probate of the will may be made unnecessary by the acknowledgments of the will and the affidavits of the testator and the attesting witnesses.
Kentuckyat least two (2) credible witnessesKy. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 394.040
Louisianaexecuted before a notary public in the presence of two witnesses, and signed by the testator, each witness, and the notaryLa. Civ. Code art. 1576executed before a notary public in the presence of two witnesses
MaineSigned by at least 2 individuals, each of whom signed within a reasonable time after the individual witnessed either the signing of the willis valid as a holographic will, whether or not witnessed, if the signature and material portions of the document are in the testator's handwriting18-C M.R.S. § 2-502
MarylandAttested and signed by two or more credible witnesses in: (i) The physical presence of the testator; or (ii) The electronic presence of the testatorMd. Code, Est. & Trusts § 4-102An electronic will or remotely witnessed will executed under this subsection shall satisfy the following requirements:
Massachusettssigned by at least 2 individualsMass. Gen. Laws ch. 190B, § 2-502
MichiganSigned by at least 2 individuals, each of whom signed within a reasonable time after he or she witnessed either the signing of the will as described in subdivision (b) or the testator's acknowledgment of that signature or acknowledgment of the will.A will that does not comply with subsection (1) is valid as a holographic will, whether or not witnessed, if it is dated, and if the testator's signature and the document's material portions are in the testator's handwriting.Mich. Comp. Laws § 700.2502
Minnesotasigned by at least two individuals, each of whom signed within a reasonable time after witnessing either the signing of the willMinn. Stat. § 524.2-502
Mississippiif not wholly written and subscribed by himself or herself, it shall be attested by two (2) or more credible witnesses in the presence of the testator or testatrixif not wholly written and subscribed by himself or herself, it shall be attested by two (2) or more credible witnessesMiss. Code Ann. § 91-5-1
Missourishall be attested by two or more competent witnesses subscribing their names to the will in the presence of the testatorMo. Rev. Stat. § 474.320
Montanasigned by at least two individuals, each of whom signed within a reasonable time after having witnessed either the signing of the will as described in subsection (1)(b) or the testator's acknowledgment of that signature or acknowledgment of the will.A will that does not comply with subsection (1) is valid as a holographic will, whether or not witnessed, if the signature and material portions of the document are in the testator's handwriting.Mont. Code Ann. § 72-2-522
Nebraskais required to be signed by at least two individuals each of whom witnessed either the signing or the testator's acknowledgment of the signature or of the willNeb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2327
Nevadaattested by at least two competent witnesses who subscribe their names to the will in the presence of the testatorA holographic will is a will in which the signature, date and material provisions are written by the hand of the testator, whether or not it is witnessed or notarized.NRS 133.040, 133.050, 133.085, 133.090Any attesting witness to a will, including, without limitation, an electronic will, may sign a declaration under penalty of perjury or an affidavit before any person authorized to administer oaths in or out of the State, stating such facts as the witness would be required to testify to in court to prove the will.Every person of sound mind over the age of 18 years may, by last electronic will, dispose of all of his or her estate, real and personal
New Hampshire2 or more credible witnessesN.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 551:2Nothing in this paragraph shall be deemed to allow an electronic will or codicil
New JerseyN.J. Stat. Ann. § 3B:3-4Any will executed on or after September 1, 1978 may be simultaneously executed, attested, and made self-proved, by acknowledgment thereof by the testator and affidavits of the witnesses
New Mexicosigned by at least two individuals, each of whom signed in the presence of the testator and of each other after each witnessed the signing of the will as described in Subsection B of this section.N.M. Stat. Ann. § 45-2-502
New YorkThere shall be at least two attesting witnesses, who shall, within one thirty day period, both attest the testator's signature, as affixed or acknowledged in their presence, and at the request of the testator, sign their names and affix their residence addresses at the end of the will.N.Y. Est. Powers & Trusts Law § 3-2.1
North CarolinaAn attested written will is a written will signed by the testator and attested by at least two competent witnesses as provided by this section.N.C. Gen. Stat. § 31-3.3
North DakotaBy at least two individuals, each of whom signed within a reasonable time after witnessing either the signing of the willA will that does not comply with subsection 1 is valid as a holographic will, whether or not witnessed, if the signature and material portions of the document are in the testator's handwriting.N.D. Cent. Code § 30.1-08-02Acknowledged by the testator before a notary public or other individual authorized by law to take acknowledgments
Ohioattested and subscribed in the conscious presence of the testator, by two or more competent witnesses, who saw the testator subscribe, or heard the testator acknowledge the testator's signatureOhio Rev. Code § 2107.03
Oklahomatwo attesting witnessesA holographic will is one that is entirely written, dated and signed by the hand of the testator himselfOkla. Stat. tit. 84, § 55may, at the time of execution or at any subsequent date during the lifetimes of the testator and the witnesses, be made self-proved
OregonAt least two witnessesORS 112.235“writing” does not include an electronic record, document or image
Pennsylvania20 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 2502
Rhode Islandthis signature shall be made or acknowledged by the testator in the presence of two (2) or more witnesses present at the same time, and the witnesses shall attest and shall subscribe the will in the presence of the testatorR.I. Gen. Laws § 33-5-5
South Carolinasigned by at least two individuals each of whom witnessed either the signing or the testator's acknowledgment of the signature or of the will.S.C. Code Ann. §§ 62-2-502, 62-2-503Any will may be simultaneously executed, attested, and made self-proved. The self-proof shall be effective upon the acknowledgment by the testator and the affidavit of at least one witness
South DakotaSigned in the conscious presence of the testator by two or more individualsA will is valid as a holographic will, whether or not witnessed, if the signature and material portions of the document are in the testator's handwritingS.D. Codified Laws § 29A-2-502
TennesseeThe execution of a will, other than a holographic or nuncupative will, must be by the signature of the testator and of at least two (2) witnessesTenn. Code Ann. § 32-1-104
Texasattested by two or more credible witnesses who are at least 14 years of ageTex. Est. Code § 251.051
Utahsigned by at least two individuals, each of whom signed within a reasonable time after he witnessed either the signing of the will as described in Subsection (1)(b) or the testator's acknowledgment of that signature or acknowledgment of the will.A will that does not comply with Subsection (1) is valid as a holographic will, whether or not witnessed, if the signature and material portions of the document are in the testator's handwriting.Utah Code § 75-2-502
Vermontsigned in the presence of two or more credible witnesses by the testator or in the testator’s name by some other person in the testator’s presence and by the testator’s express direction14 V.S.A. § 5
Virginiain the presence of at least two competent witnesses who are present at the same time and who subscribe the will in the presence of the testatorA will wholly in the testator's handwriting is valid without further requirements, provided that the fact that a will is wholly in the testator's handwriting and signed by the testator is proved by at least two disinterested witnesses.Va. Code § 64.2-403
Washingtonattested by two or more competent witnesses, by subscribing their names to the willRCW 11.12.020
West Virginiathe signature shall be made or the will acknowledged by him in the presence of at least two competent witnesses, present at the same time; and such witnesses shall subscribe the will in the presence of the testator, and of each otherunless it be wholly in the handwriting of the testator, the signature shall be made or the will acknowledged by him in the presence of at least two competent witnessesW. Va. Code § 41-1-3
Wisconsinsigned by at least 2 witnesses who signed within a reasonable timeWis. Stat. § 853.03
Wyomingall wills to be valid shall be in writing, or typewritten, witnessed by two (2) competent witnesses and signed by the testator or by some person in his presence and by his express direction.Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 2-6-112

Where this came from

Every record above links the page it was taken from and quotes the sentence that states it. These are the 60 sources this dataset was assembled from.

Machine-readable

From your own code

Same records, same quotes, without scraping the page: refsource is on PyPI and npm. Each value comes back carrying the URL it was read from and the sentence on that page that states it — .source and .quote sit on the value itself rather than in a side channel, so the checking step is available instead of skipped.

pip install refsource
refsource lookup will-execution-requirements-by-state state=Alaska

npx -y refsource lookup will-execution-requirements-by-state state=Alaska

Set your AI assistant up to use this

Two files and no account. Put this in .mcp.json at the root of your project — Claude Code, Cursor, Windsurf, VS Code and Codex all read that file — and your assistant can look this dataset up instead of recalling it. The server is remote, keyless and read-only.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "referencesource": {
      "type": "http",
      "url": "https://referencesource.org/mcp"
    }
  }
}

Add to Cursor · or, on the command line: claude mcp add --transport http referencesource https://referencesource.org/mcp --scope project

Then one line in the project's CLAUDE.md or AGENTS.md, so the assistant knows when to reach for it:

When a question needs "Will execution requirements by state: witnesses, notarization, holographic and electronic wills", call the referencesource MCP server at https://referencesource.org/mcp (tool `search_records`, dataset_slug `will-execution-requirements-by-state`) instead of answering from memory — every record it returns carries its source URL and a verbatim quote from that page.

What each tool does, and the servers built over single registers: Connect your AI assistant.

50 records. last verified against source . due for re-check by .

Licence. Facts from state probate statutes; statutory requirements are not copyrightable