Short answer. 2 witnesses. A self-proving affidavit is sworn before an oath officer such as a notary. Handwritten wills: yes. Remote witnesses: limited.
At a glance
- Witnesses
- Two witnesses, each signing within a reasonable time after seeing the signing or the acknowledgment.
"signed by at least two individuals, each of whom signed within a reasonable time after he witnessed"
- Beneficiary as witness
- A witness who is interested doesn't make the will or any part of it invalid.
"does not invalidate the will or any provision of it"
- Self-proving affidavit
- Allowed. The witnesses' affidavits are made before an officer authorized to administer oaths.
"each made before an officer authorized to administer oaths"
- Handwritten wills
- Recognized if the signature and the material parts are in the testator's handwriting.
"if the signature and material portions of the document are in the testator's handwriting"
- Electronic wills
- Authorized. An electronic will is a record readable as text when signed, signed by the testator and by at least two witnesses within a reasonable time after witnessing the signing or acknowledgment. It can be made self-proving before an officer authorized to administer oaths. (Utah Code 75-2-1401 to 75-2-1408 (Uniform Electronic Wills Act))
"a record that is readable as text at the time of signing"
- Remote witnesses
- For an electronic will only: the witnesses may sign in the testator's physical or electronic presence, meaning communicating in real time from different locations.
"signed in the physical or electronic presence of the testator by at least two individuals"
- Minimum age
- 18 or older, with testamentary capacity.
"is 18 years old or older"
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 Utah.
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.
Official sources
- Utah Code Title 75, Chapter 2, Part 5, Wills (Utah Legislature) (checked November 2026)
- Utah Code Title 75, Chapter 2, Part 14, Uniform Electronic Wills Act (Utah Legislature) (checked November 2026)
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 Utah?
2. Two witnesses, each signing within a reasonable time after seeing the signing or the acknowledgment.
Does a will need a notary in Utah?
Not to be valid on the pages we read; the notary is for the self-proving affidavit. Allowed. The witnesses' affidavits are made before an officer authorized to administer oaths.
Can a beneficiary witness a will in Utah?
A witness who is interested doesn't make the will or any part of it invalid. The statute: "does not invalidate the will or any provision of it."
Is a handwritten will valid in Utah?
Recognized if the signature and the material parts are in the testator's handwriting.
Can will witnesses be remote in Utah?
For an electronic will only: the witnesses may sign in the testator's physical or electronic presence, meaning communicating in real time from different locations.
Are electronic wills allowed in Utah?
Authorized. An electronic will is a record readable as text when signed, signed by the testator and by at least two witnesses within a reasonable time after witnessing the signing or acknowledgment. It can be made self-proving before an officer authorized to administer oaths. (Utah Code 75-2-1401 to 75-2-1408 (Uniform Electronic Wills Act))
All states: will witness requirements by state · Texas · Vermont