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 witnesses, each signing within a reasonable time after the signing or acknowledgment.
"at least 2 witnesses who signed within a reasonable time after any of the following:"
- Beneficiary as witness
- The will stays valid, but gifts to an interested witness or the witness's spouse are invalid beyond an intestate share unless an exception applies.
"a will is not invalidated because it is signed by an interested witness"
- Self-proving affidavit
- Allowed at signing or any time later, before an officer authorized to administer oaths, under official seal.
"An attested will may be made self-proved at any time after its execution"
- Handwritten wills
- Not recognized unless witnessed: every will must be in writing and signed with two witnesses to be validly executed (Wis. Stat. 853.03). A separate written list can leave certain tangible personal property (853.32).
"Every will in order to be validly executed must be in writing and executed with all of the following formalities"
- Electronic wills
- Not authorized; a will can't be a digital file (Nolo, citing Wis. Stat. 853.03).
"Wisconsin currently doesn't allow them"
- Remote witnesses
- Witnesses can be present by live audio-visual technology only when an attorney supervises the remote signing (Nolo, citing Wis. Stat. 853.03).
"Wisconsin law requires an attorney to supervise the remote signing"
- Minimum age
- 18 or older, of sound mind.
"Any person of sound mind 18 years of age or older may make and revoke a will."
Worth knowing
Wisconsin law has a section on depositing a will with the circuit court during the testator's lifetime (853.09).
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 Wisconsin.
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
- Wis. Stat. Chapter 853, Wills (Wisconsin Legislature) (checked November 2026)
- Wis. Stat. 853.03, Execution of wills (Wisconsin Legislature) (checked November 2026)
- Wis. Stat. 853.04 and 853.07, Self-proved will; Witnesses (Wisconsin Legislature) (checked November 2026)
- Nolo (secondary source): How to Make a Will in Wisconsin (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 Wisconsin?
2. Two witnesses, each signing within a reasonable time after the signing or acknowledgment.
Does a will need a notary in Wisconsin?
Not to be valid on the pages we read; the notary is for the self-proving affidavit. Allowed at signing or any time later, before an officer authorized to administer oaths, under official seal.
Can a beneficiary witness a will in Wisconsin?
The will stays valid, but gifts to an interested witness or the witness's spouse are invalid beyond an intestate share unless an exception applies. The statute: "a will is not invalidated because it is signed by an interested witness."
Is a handwritten will valid in Wisconsin?
Not recognized unless witnessed: every will must be in writing and signed with two witnesses to be validly executed (Wis. Stat. 853.03). A separate written list can leave certain tangible personal property (853.32).
Can will witnesses be remote in Wisconsin?
Witnesses can be present by live audio-visual technology only when an attorney supervises the remote signing (Nolo, citing Wis. Stat. 853.03).
Are electronic wills allowed in Wisconsin?
Not authorized; a will can't be a digital file (Nolo, citing Wis. Stat. 853.03).
All states: will witness requirements by state · West Virginia · Wyoming