What Do I Need to Sign My Will in Missouri?
Witness, notary, and remote online notarization (RON) requirements for wills in Missouri.
Frequently Asked Questions
Missouri requires 2 witnesses for a will.RSMo § 474.320Verified Jul 15, 2026 Witnesses must be at least 18 years old.
Notarization is not required for a will to be valid in Missouri.RSMo § 474.320Verified Jul 15, 2026 The notary's usual role in Missouri is the optional self-proving affidavit: a notarized statement signed with the will that lets it enter probate without locating the witnesses.
Yes. A will can be executed entirely remotely in Missouri — the signing happens in a live video session with an online notary (RSMo 474.548.1(3) (execution: e-signatures, witnesses in physical or electronic presence), 474.550 (self-proved before a remote online notary "authorized to perform a remote online notarization in this state under the law of any state or the United States" — no in-state-notary constraint — on a remote online notarial certificate "subject to the additional requirements under section 486.1165"), 486.1165 (contents/wording of that certificate), 474.564). 2 witnesses must join the same video session.RSMo § 474.320Verified Jul 15, 2026
To execute a will in Missouri: Find 2 adults to serve as witnesses. Review witness restrictions to ensure eligibility. Get the document notarized (standard practice, not required). Sign remotely: signer, notary, and 2 witnesses in one live video session
Yes. Missouri hasn't adopted the Uniform Probate Code, but it recognizes a will validly executed under another state's law as long as the will was valid where signed. The practical wrinkle is the self-proving affidavit — if the foreign will doesn't have one, witnesses may need to testify during probate. A Missouri-specific will sidesteps that. The document portability tool shows the recognition rule by document type.
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