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Free Self-Proving Affidavit Form

Add a self-proving affidavit to your will so the probate court can accept it without calling witnesses. Use our template to create and attach one in a few quick steps.

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How It Works

  1. 1
    Choose Your State
    Select your state to get started
  2. 2
    Answer Simple Questions
    Enter details about the will and witnesses
  3. 3
    Download Your Affidavit
    Get your completed document in Word and PDF
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Last updated April 9, 2026

What Is a Self-Proving Affidavit?

A self-proving affidavit is a sworn statement attached to a will that confirms the will was signed correctly. When a will includes one, the probate court can accept it without needing the witnesses to appear later and confirm the signing.

A self-proving affidavit is signed by the testator (the person making the will) and the witnesses, usually in front of a notary public. By signing it, everyone confirms a few key facts about how the will was executed. They confirm the identity of the testator and witnesses, that the witnesses saw the testator sign the will, and that the testator appeared to be of sound mind and not under pressure.

It’s usually written directly on the will or attached as a separate page with the notary’s seal. A will can still be valid without a self-proving affidavit, but many people choose to include one when signing their will.

How a Self-Proving Affidavit Helps Your Will

  • Lets the court accept the will without calling witnesses
  • Prevents delays if witnesses can’t be found years later
  • Allows probate to proceed even if witnesses have moved away or died
  • Serves as legal proof that the will was properly signed

Self-Proving Affidavit Laws by State

Self-proving affidavit rules vary by state. A few jurisdictions use different methods to prove a will. The table below breaks down the rules by state.

State What's Required for a Self-Proving Affidavit? Statute
Alabama Testator and two witnesses sign a self-proving affidavit before a notary. AL Code § 43-8-132
Alaska Testator and two witnesses sign sworn affidavits before a notary or other authorized officer. AK Stat § 13.12.504
Arizona Testator and two witnesses sign a notarized self-proving affidavit. AZ Rev Stat § 14-2504
Arkansas Testator and two witnesses sign a self-proving affidavit before a notary. AR Code § 28-25-106
California Testator and witnesses may use affidavits or testimony to prove the will; a self-proving affidavit is not required. CA Prob Code § 8220
Colorado Testator and witnesses sign before an officer authorized to administer oaths (usually a notary). CO Rev Stat § 15-11-504
Connecticut One or more witnesses sign a sworn affidavit before an authorized officer. CT Gen Stat § 45a-285
Delaware Testator and two witnesses sign sworn affidavits before an officer authorized to administer oaths. 12 DE Code § 1305
District of Columbia n/a No statutory self-proving provision
Florida Testator and witnesses sign sworn statements before an officer authorized to administer oaths (such as a notary). FL Stat § 732.503
Georgia Testator and witnesses sign affidavits before a notary; the notary adds an official seal. GA Code § 53-4-24
Hawaii Testator acknowledges the will and witnesses sign affidavits before a notary; the notary attaches an official seal. HI Rev Stat § 560:2-504
Idaho Testator acknowledges the will and witnesses sign sworn statements before a notary; the notary attaches an official seal. ID Code § 15-2-504
Illinois Two witnesses confirm proper signing and sound mind; signed affidavit is attached to the will. 755 ILCS 5/6-4
Indiana A self-proving clause is included in or attached to the will and signed. IN Code § 29-1-5-3.1
Iowa A self-proving affidavit is attached to the will; the testator and witnesses sign before a notary. IA Code § 633.279
Kansas The will can be made self-proving anytime while the testator and witnesses are alive; an official certificate is required. KS Stat § 59-606
Kentucky Testator and two witnesses sign sworn statements before an officer authorized to administer oaths; the officer adds a certificate. KY Rev Stat § 394.225

Louisiana n/a No statutory self-proving provision
Maine Testator and witnesses sign sworn statements before a notary or other authorized officer; an official certificate is required. 18-C ME Rev Stat § 2-503
Maryland n/a No statutory self-proving provision
Massachusetts Testator and two witnesses sign a sworn statement before an officer authorized to administer oaths (such as a notary); the officer adds a certificate with an official seal. MA Gen L ch 192 § 2
Michigan Testator confirms the will, and two witnesses sign sworn statements before an authorized officer. MI Comp L § 700.2504
Minnesota Testator and two witnesses sign a sworn statement before a notary or other authorized officer. MN Stat § 524.2-504
Mississippi One witness confirms the will, or handwriting is used if none are available; affidavits can be signed and attached with witness addresses. MS Code § 91-7-7
Missouri Testator and witnesses confirm the will before an authorized officer; the officer attaches a certificate. MO Rev Stat § 474.337
Montana Testator and two witnesses sign sworn statements before an authorized officer; the officer attaches a certificate with an official seal. MT Code § 72-2-524
Nebraska Testator and two witnesses sign sworn statements before an officer authorized to administer oaths; the officer attaches a certificate with an official seal. NE Code § 30-2329
Nevada Witnesses sign a sworn affidavit confirming the will's execution before an authorized officer (such as a notary). NV Rev Stat § 133.050
New Hampshire Testator and two witnesses sign a sworn acknowledgment before a notary or other authorized officer confirming the will's execution. NH Rev Stat § 551:2-a
New Jersey Testator and two witnesses sign sworn affidavits before an officer authorized to take acknowledgments, confirming the will's execution. NJ Rev Stat § 3B:3-4
New Mexico Testator acknowledges the will, and two witnesses sign sworn affidavits before an officer authorized to administer oaths; the officer attaches a certificate with an official seal. NM Stat § 45-2-504
New York Witnesses sign an affidavit confirming the will is valid and the testator was competent; accepted unless challenged. NY Surr. Ct. Proc. Act § 1406
North Carolina Testator and witnesses sign sworn statements before an officer authorized to administer oaths; an official certificate under seal is attached. NC Gen Stat § 31-11.6
North Dakota Testator and witnesses sign sworn statements; an official seal is required. ND Cent Code § 30.1-08-04
Ohio n/a No statutory self-proving provision
Oklahoma Testator and witnesses sign sworn statements before an officer authorized to administer oaths; the officer attaches a certificate with an official seal. 84 OK Stat § 55
Oregon An attesting witness may sign an affidavit confirming the will's execution. OR Rev Stat § 113.055
Pennsylvania Testator acknowledges the will and witnesses sign affidavits before an authorized officer (or attorney); an official certificate under seal is attached. 20 PA Cons Stat § 3132.1
Rhode Island One witness can confirm the will, or witnesses can sign an affidavit confirming it was properly signed and the testator was of sound mind. RI Gen L § 33-7-26.
South Carolina Testator confirms the will, and at least one witness signs a sworn statement before an authorized officer; the officer attaches an official seal. SC Code § 62-2-503
South Dakota Testator and witnesses sign sworn statements before an officer authorized to administer oaths; the officer attaches a certificate with an official seal. SD Codified L § 29A-2-504
Tennessee One or more witnesses sign a sworn affidavit before an officer authorized to administer oaths (such as a notary) confirming the will's execution. TN Code § 32-2-110
Texas Testator and witnesses sign a sworn affidavit before a notary; the affidavit is attached to the will. TX Est Code § 251.101
Utah Testator and witnesses sign sworn statements before an officer authorized to administer oaths; the officer attaches a certificate with an official seal. UT Code § 75-2-504
Vermont Testator and witnesses sign sworn acknowledgments before a notary or authorized officer confirming the will's execution. 14 V.S.A. § 108.
Virginia Testator acknowledges the will and witnesses sign affidavits before an authorized officer; a certificate is attached to the will. VA Code § 64.2-452
Washington Testator and witnesses sign sworn affidavits before an authorized officer; a certificate with an official seal is attached to the electronic will. WA Rev Code § 11.12.450
West Virginia Witnesses may sign an affidavit before an authorized officer confirming the will's execution; the affidavit can replace witness testimony if the will is uncontested. W Va Code § 41-5-15
Wisconsin Testator and witnesses sign a sworn affidavit before an officer authorized to administer oaths; the officer attaches a certificate with an official seal. WI Stat § 853.04
Wyoming Testator and witnesses sign sworn statements before an authorized officer; the officer attaches an official seal. WY Stat § 2-6-114

Can I Add a Self-Proving Affidavit After Signing My Will?

Yes. In many states, you can add a self-proving affidavit after your will is signed. Instead of rewriting the will, the testator and original witnesses complete the affidavit separately and attach it to the existing will. The affidavit still must be signed before a notary. Some states explicitly allow an affidavit to be added later, including:

  • Kansas
  • New Jersey
  • Oklahoma
  • Texas
  • Wisconsin
  • Wyoming

Most statutes don’t set a specific deadline for adding the affidavit. However, it usually needs to be completed while the testator is still alive, since the testator and witnesses sign it before a notary. Fortunately, creating one is an easy process with Legal Templates. Simply add your details and download your self-proving affidavit.

If you need to change the terms of your will, consider using a codicil. A codicil lets you update parts of an existing will without rewriting the entire document.

How to Fill Out a Self-Proving Affidavit

Most self-proving affidavits follow the same structure. You’ll enter basic information about the will, the testator, and the witnesses, then sign the document before a notary.

  1. Write the title of the will that the affidavit attaches to. Usually written as “Last Will and Testament of [testator’s name].”
  2. Enter the testator’s full legal name, exactly as it appears in the will.
  3. List the state where the testator lives and add the county.
  4. Include the full name and mailing address of the first witness who signed the will. Some forms allow the address to be filled in later.
  5. Include the full name and mailing address of the second witness who signed the will. The address may also be added later if needed.
  6. The testator and both witnesses sign the affidavit in front of a notary public.
  7. Attach the completed affidavit to the will.

After it’s signed and notarized, the affidavit stays with the will. When the will goes through probate, the court can use it as proof that the witnesses saw the will being signed.

Self-Proving Affidavit Sample

Review a completed self-proving affidavit to see how the document is structured. Then customize your own and download it in Word or PDF.

This is a document preview. Your customized version will be created after you answer a few quick questions.
Self-Proving-Affidavit-Template
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Free Self-Proving Affidavit Form