Short answer. 2 witnesses. A self-proving affidavit is allowed. Handwritten wills: no.
At a glance
- Witnesses
- Two witnesses, who each see the testator sign or acknowledge the signature and then sign.
"At least two witnesses shall each:"
- Beneficiary as witness
- A will signed by an interested witness isn't invalid for that reason.
"A will attested by an interested witness is not thereby invalidated."
- Self-proving affidavit
- A witness's signature on an affidavit signed at the same time as the will counts as a witness signature. The statute we read doesn't mention a notary.
"executed contemporaneously with execution of a will"
- Handwritten wills
- Not recognized as a separate kind of will: every will must be in writing and signed by the testator and two witnesses (ORS 112.235). A document that misses those steps, handwritten or not, can be treated as a will only if a court finds clear and convincing evidence the person meant it as one (ORS 112.238).
"a will shall be in writing and shall be executed in accordance with the following formalities"
- Electronic wills
- Not allowed. For a will, a writing doesn't include an electronic record. (ORS 112.235(4))
"'writing' does not include an electronic record, document or image."
- Remote witnesses
- Not provided for: no Oregon law we found lets witnesses appear by video, and e-wills aren't authorized: the execution statute says a writing doesn't include an electronic record (ORS 112.235(4)), and Nolo's Oregon page (updated August 2025) agrees.
- Minimum age
- 18 or older, or lawfully married, and of sound mind.
"Any person who is 18 years of age or older or who has been lawfully married"
Worth knowing
A court can treat a will that doesn't meet the signing rules as valid if there's clear and convincing evidence the person meant it as a will (ORS 112.238).
Signing day here
- Witnesses to bring: Bring 2 witnesses.
- Notary and the self-proving affidavit: The statute we read doesn't say who takes the affidavit. Ask the lawyer whether to have a notary there.
The full list, with ID and who shouldn't witness: signing-day checklist for Oregon.
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
- ORS Chapter 112, Intestate Succession and Wills (Oregon Legislature) (checked November 2026)
- Justia (statute text) (secondary source): ORS 112.235, Execution of a will (2021 Oregon Revised Statutes, Justia) (checked November 2026)
- FindLaw Codes (secondary source): ORS 112.238, Exception to will execution formalities (FindLaw Codes, current as of January 1, 2023) (checked November 2026)
- Nolo (secondary source): How to Make a Will in Oregon (Nolo, updated August 2025) (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 Oregon?
2. Two witnesses, who each see the testator sign or acknowledge the signature and then sign.
Does a will need a notary in Oregon?
Not to be valid on the pages we read; the notary is for the self-proving affidavit. A witness's signature on an affidavit signed at the same time as the will counts as a witness signature. The statute we read doesn't mention a notary.
Can a beneficiary witness a will in Oregon?
A will signed by an interested witness isn't invalid for that reason. The statute: "A will attested by an interested witness is not thereby invalidated."
Is a handwritten will valid in Oregon?
Not recognized as a separate kind of will: every will must be in writing and signed by the testator and two witnesses (ORS 112.235). A document that misses those steps, handwritten or not, can be treated as a will only if a court finds clear and convincing evidence the person meant it as one (ORS 112.238).
Are electronic wills allowed in Oregon?
Not allowed. For a will, a writing doesn't include an electronic record. (ORS 112.235(4))
How old do you have to be to make a will in Oregon?
18 or older, or lawfully married, and of sound mind.
All states: will witness requirements by state · Oklahoma · Rhode Island