Short answer. 2 witnesses. A self-proving affidavit is sworn before an oath officer such as a notary. Handwritten wills: no. Remote witnesses: limited.
At a glance
- Witnesses
- Two or more competent witnesses, who sign in the testator's presence.
"two or more competent witnesses subscribing their names to the will in the presence of the testator"
- Beneficiary as witness
- The will stays valid, but an interested witness loses anything above an intestate share unless two disinterested witnesses also signed.
"No will is invalidated because attested by an interested witness."
- Self-proving affidavit
- Allowed at signing or any later date, before an officer authorized to administer oaths in the state, under official seal.
"officer authorized to administer oaths under the laws of this state"
- Handwritten wills
- Not recognized unless witnessed: a handwritten will needs the same witnesses as any other will, per Nolo's Missouri page.
"Missouri does not permit handwritten (holographic) wills that are not witnessed."
- Electronic wills
- Authorized. An electronic will is a will for all purposes. (RSMo 474.544)
"An electronic will shall be a will for all purposes of the laws of this state."
- Remote witnesses
- For an electronic will, the self-proving affidavit can be taken by a remote online notary when fewer than two witnesses are physically present.
"a remote online notary authorized to perform a remote online notarization in this state"
- Minimum age
- 18 or older (or an emancipated minor), of sound mind.
"Any person of sound mind, eighteen years of age or older"
Worth knowing
A will can be deposited with the probate division during the testator's life (RSMo 474.510).
Signing day here
- Witnesses to bring: Bring 2 witnesses.
- Notary and the self-proving affidavit: 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.
The full list, with ID and who shouldn't witness: signing-day checklist for Missouri.
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.
Sources
- RSMo Chapter 474, Probate Code: Intestate Succession and Wills (Revisor of Missouri) (checked November 2026)
- RSMo 474.337, Written will self-proved, how (Revisor of Missouri) (checked November 2026)
- RSMo 474.330, Who may witness will, effect of interest in will (Revisor of Missouri) (checked November 2026)
- Nolo (secondary source): How to Make a Will in Missouri (Nolo) (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 Missouri?
2. Two or more competent witnesses, who sign in the testator's presence.
Does a will need a notary in Missouri?
Not to be valid on the pages we read; the notary is for the self-proving affidavit. Allowed at signing or any later date, before an officer authorized to administer oaths in the state, under official seal.
Can a beneficiary witness a will in Missouri?
The will stays valid, but an interested witness loses anything above an intestate share unless two disinterested witnesses also signed. The statute: "No will is invalidated because attested by an interested witness."
Is a handwritten will valid in Missouri?
Not recognized unless witnessed: a handwritten will needs the same witnesses as any other will, per Nolo's Missouri page.
Can will witnesses be remote in Missouri?
For an electronic will, the self-proving affidavit can be taken by a remote online notary when fewer than two witnesses are physically present.
Are electronic wills allowed in Missouri?
Authorized. An electronic will is a will for all purposes. (RSMo 474.544)
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