What Do I Need to Sign My Will in Illinois?
Witness, notary, and remote online notarization (RON) requirements for wills in Illinois.
Frequently Asked Questions
Illinois requires 2 witnesses for a will.755 ILCS 5/4-3Verified Jul 15, 2026 Witnesses must be at least 18 years old.
Notarization is not required for a will to be valid in Illinois.755 ILCS 5/4-3Verified Jul 15, 2026 Illinois has no execution-time affidavit; a witness affidavit at probate can substitute for live testimony, so no notary is involved when the will is signed.
Yes. A will can be executed entirely remotely in Illinois — the 2 required witnesses may attend by live audio-video rather than in person (755 ILCS 6/15-10), and no notary is involved. The witnesses must be located in the United States.
To execute a will in Illinois: Find 2 adults to serve as witnesses. Review witness restrictions to ensure eligibility. Keep the original will in a secure location. Sign electronically; the 2 required witnesses may attend by live video
Generally yes. Illinois isn't a UPC state, but its probate code accepts a will that was valid under the law of the place it was signed. Where things get sticky is at probate intake: a foreign will without a self-proving affidavit forces the witnesses to be located and either appear or sign declarations, which delays the case. Re-executing on a Illinois form, or adding a Illinois self-proving affidavit, removes that step. The document portability tool walks through the recognition tests by state.
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