Short answer. 2 witnesses. A self-proving affidavit is sworn before a notary. Handwritten wills: no.
At a glance
- Witnesses
- At least two witnesses, per the county probate office.
"witnessed by at least two people"
- Beneficiary as witness
- Allowed: a will, or any part of it, isn't invalid because an interested witness signed it (Ala. Code 43-8-134, Justia's 2021 code text). Disinterested witnesses are still the safer choice.
"A will or any provision thereof is not invalid because the will is signed by an interested witness."
- Self-proving affidavit
- Allowed. The county probate office says a self-proving will must be notarized and use the language the law requires.
"must be notarized"
- Handwritten wills
- Not recognized: handwritten, unwitnessed wills aren't valid, per Nolo's Alabama page.
"Alabama does not permit handwritten and unwitnessed (holographic) wills."
- Electronic wills
- Not authorized, per Nolo's Alabama page.
"Alabama currently doesn't allow e-wills"
- Minimum age
- 18 or older, of sound mind and free from undue influence.
"must be 18 years of age or older"
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 Alabama.
MCC Solutions provides notaries and witnesses for signings in New Jersey (estate planning signings, the estate planning signing package, witness services). Elsewhere, a local notary can help with the self-proving affidavit.
Not confirmed on the pages we read: remote witnessing.
Sources
- Wills and Estates (Talladega County, Alabama, Probate Office) (checked November 2026)
- Nolo (secondary source): How to Make a Will in Alabama (Nolo) (checked November 2026)
- Justia (statute text) (secondary source): Ala. Code 43-8-134, Who may witness will (Justia statute text, 2021 Code of Alabama) (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 Alabama?
2. At least two witnesses, per the county probate office.
Does a will need a notary in Alabama?
Not to be valid on the pages we read; the notary is for the self-proving affidavit. Allowed. The county probate office says a self-proving will must be notarized and use the language the law requires.
Can a beneficiary witness a will in Alabama?
Allowed: a will, or any part of it, isn't invalid because an interested witness signed it (Ala. Code 43-8-134, Justia's 2021 code text). Disinterested witnesses are still the safer choice. The statute: "A will or any provision thereof is not invalid because the will is signed by an interested witness."
Is a handwritten will valid in Alabama?
Not recognized: handwritten, unwitnessed wills aren't valid, per Nolo's Alabama page.
Are electronic wills allowed in Alabama?
Not authorized, per Nolo's Alabama page.
How old do you have to be to make a will in Alabama?
18 or older, of sound mind and free from undue influence.
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