⚠️ This guide was researched and updated in May 2026. Laws and regulations change frequently. For specific legal advice regarding your jurisdiction, please consult with local legal counsel.
Who Can Draft and Sign a Will?
Witness requirements, professional restrictions, and age minimums across the jurisdictions we cover, researched and kept up to date
76
Jurisdictions Analysed
25
Allow Anyone to Draft
50
Require Professionals
46
Need 2 Witnesses
Global Compliance Tiers
1
Simple Compliance
DIY wills permitted with straightforward witness requirements
Examples
United Kingdom - England, United Kingdom - Scotland, United Kingdom - Wales, United Kingdom - Northern Ireland
2
Professional Partnership Required
Will drafting restricted to licensed attorneys
Examples
United States, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Ghana
3
Complex Dual Systems
Multiple legal systems or partial professional requirements
Examples
France, Germany, Spain, Italy
4
Professional Mandatory
Notarial involvement required for all wills
Examples
Colombia, Algeria, Ecuador, Iraq
Complete Jurisdictional Requirements
Compiled from comprehensive legal research • Always verify with local legal counsel
Showing 76 of 76 jurisdictions
| Special Notes | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 United Kingdom - England | Europe | Anyone | 2 | 18 | Most liberal framework globally. Voluntary regulation via IPW/SWW. Witnesses cannot be beneficiaries. |
 United Kingdom - Scotland | Europe | Anyone | 1 | 16 | Only 1 witness required (unique in UK). Testator must sign bottom of every page. |
 United States | North America | Licensed attorneys only | 2 | Varies by state | All major states restrict to attorneys. CA/TX allow holographic wills. TX: witnesses 14+, NY: witnesses must sign within 30 days. |
 United Kingdom - Wales | Europe | Anyone | 2 | 18 | Most liberal framework globally. Voluntary regulation via IPW/SWW. Witnesses cannot be beneficiaries. |
 United Kingdom - Northern Ireland | Europe | Anyone | 2 | 18 | Follows the United Kingdom - England & Wales model. Notaries must be solicitors with 6+ years standing. |
 Ireland | Europe | Anyone | 2 | 18 | Similar to UK system. Witnesses cannot be beneficiaries. |
 New Zealand | Asia-Pacific | Anyone | 2 | 18 | Witnesses must be present simultaneously. Court can validate defective wills if intent clear. |
 France | Europe | Anyone (holographic) / Notaries (authentic) | 0-2 | 18 | Three types: Holographic (handwritten, no witnesses), Authentic (notary + 2 witnesses), Sealed (secret). |
 Germany | Europe | Anyone (holographic) / Notaries (public) | 0-2 | 18 | Handwritten wills need no witnesses. Notarial wills provide highest security. |
 Spain | Europe | Notaries required (common) | Varies | 18 | Common wills require notary. Holographic allowed but must be authenticated post-death. |
 Italy | Europe | Anyone (holographic) / Notaries (public) | 0-2 | 18 | Holographic must be entirely handwritten. Public wills require notary. |
 India | Asia | Anyone | 2 | 18 | Indian Succession Act 1925. No professional restrictions but witnesses cannot be beneficiaries. |
 China | Asia-Pacific | Anyone | 2 | 18 | Requires signature AND seal/thumbprint. Various will types available. |
 Japan | Asia-Pacific | Anyone (holographic) / Notaries (notarised) | 0-2+ | 15 | Minimum age 15 years (lowest globally). Holographic: handwritten + hanko seal (no witnesses). Notarised: notary + 2+ witnesses. Must be in Japanese language. |
 United Arab Emirates - DIFC | Middle East | DIFC authorised | 2 | 21 | Non-Muslims only. One witness must be DIFC authorised officer. Registration costs AED 10,000. |
 Argentina | Latin America | Notaries | 2 | 18 | Civil law system with notarial requirements. Strong forced heirship rules apply. |
 Australia - New South Wales | Asia-Pacific | Anyone | 2 | 18 | Beneficiaries cannot witness. Standard Australian requirements. |
| Australia - Queensland | Asia-Pacific | Anyone | 2 | 18 | Beneficiaries cannot witness. Standard Australian requirements. |
| Australia - Victoria | Asia-Pacific | Anyone | 2 | 18 | Uniquely allows beneficiaries to witness wills (unlike other Australian states). |
 Bangladesh | Asia | Anyone | 2 | 18 | Succession Act 1925. Muslims limited to 1/3. Hindus follow Dayabhaga law. |
 Belgium | Europe | Anyone (holographic) / Notaries (public/international) | 0-2 | 18 | Holographic: handwritten, dated, signed (no witnesses). Public/International: 2 witnesses. Central Register of Last Wills (CRT/ZRT). |
 Bolivia | Latin America | Anyone (holographic) / Notary | 2-3 | 18 | Civil Code 1975. Holographic wills must be fully handwritten. Forced heirship rules. |
 Brazil | Latin America | Anyone (private) / Notaries (public/closed) | 2-3 | 18 | Public wills: notary + 2 witnesses. Private wills: 3 witnesses required. Strong forced heirship rules. Inheritance tax 4-8% varies by state. |
 Canada - British Columbia | North America | Anyone | 2 | 19 | Permits digital signatures and electronic wills with video witnessing. |
| Canada - Ontario | North America | Anyone | 2 | 18 | Virtual witnessing allowed if one witness is licensed lawyer/paralegal. |
| Canada - Quebec | North America | Anyone (holographic) / Notaries (notarial) | 0-2 | 18 | Civil law system. Three types: notarial (1 witness + notary), holographic (none), witnessed (2). |
 Switzerland | Europe | Anyone (holographic) / Notaries (public) | 0-2 | 18 | Holographic wills without witnesses. Public wills need 2 witnesses or second notary. Canton variations. |
 Chile | Latin America | Notaries | 3 | 18 | Civil law system. Three witnesses required for open wills. |
 Colombia | Latin America | Notary | 3 | 18 | Civil Code. Testator minimum age 14 (puberty). Complex witness disqualification rules. Forced heirship. |
 Algeria | Africa | Notary | 2 + Notary | 19 | Code Civil. Must be in Arabic. Muslims limited to 1/3. Registration mandatory. |
 Ecuador | Latin America | Notary | 3-5 | 18 | Civil Code. Open wills: 3 witnesses. Closed wills: 5 witnesses. Strong forced heirship. |
 Egypt | Africa | Anyone (non-Muslims) / Notary (Muslims) | 2 | 21 | Law 71/1946. Muslims can only will 1/3 of estate. Must be in Arabic or translated. Registration required. |
 Ethiopia | Africa | Anyone | 4 | 18 | Civil Code 1960. Public wills before judge. Holographic wills valid. No time limit for contesting wills. |
 Ghana | Africa | Anyone | 2 | 18 | Wills Act 1971. Registration recommended. Customary law may apply to some property. |
 Hong Kong | Asia-Pacific | Anyone | 2 | 18 | Common law system. No restrictions on will drafting. Foreign lawyers can qualify via OLQE. |
 Croatia | Europe | Anyone (holographic) / Notary (public) | 2 (public wills) | 16 | Inheritance Act 2003. Testator minimum age 16. Central registry of wills. |
 Indonesia | Asia | Anyone (non-Muslims) / Notary recommended | 2 | 21 | Civil Code for non-Muslims. Muslims follow Islamic inheritance law (faraidh). Notarial wills strongest. |
 Israel | Middle East | Senior lawyers as notaries | 2 | 18 | Apostille treaty member. Dual religious/civil law considerations. |
 Iraq | Middle East | Notary | 2 | 18 | Personal Status Law 188/1959. Different rules for different religious groups. Limited to 1/3 for Muslims. |
 Iran | Middle East | Notary Public | 2 | 18 | Civil Code + Sharia. Limited to 1/3. Must be in Persian. Registration mandatory. |
 Jordan | Middle East | Anyone (witnessed) / Sharia court | 2 males or 1 male + 2 females | 18 | Personal Status Law 36/2010. Muslims limited to 1/3. Registration with Sharia court required. |
 Kenya | Africa | Anyone | 2 | 18 | Law of Succession Act, Cap 160. Oral wills valid for personal chattels under 40,000 Ksh. |
 South Korea | Asia-Pacific | Licensed notaries | 2 | 19 | Licensed notaries under Prosecutor's Office. Can notarise English documents without translation. Member of Hague Apostille Convention since 2007. |
 Kuwait | Middle East | Ministry of Justice officials | 2 | 21 | Law 5/1984. Limited to 1/3 for Muslims. Must be authenticated by Ministry of Justice. |
 Lebanon | Middle East | Anyone / Religious authorities | Varies by religion | 18 | 18 different religious laws apply. Muslims limited to 1/3. Complex multi-confessional system. |
 Lithuania | Europe | Anyone (private) / Notary (public) | 2 | 18 | Civil Code. Private wills must be handwritten. Central will registry. |
 Luxembourg | Europe | Notaries required | 2 | 18 | All wills must be registered with notary to be enforceable. |
 Latvia | Europe | Anyone (private) / Notary (public) | 2 | 18 | Civil Law 1937. Handwritten wills valid. Central will registry since 2016. |
 Morocco | Africa | Adoul (Islamic notaries) | 2 Adoul | 18 | Moudawana law. Must be registered. Muslims limited to 1/3 of estate. Non-Muslims use separate system. |
 Myanmar | Asia | Anyone | 2 | 18 | Myanmar Succession Act (based on Indian Act 1925). Buddhist customary law may apply. |
 Malta | Europe | Notaries required | 2 | 18 | Public wills require notarial involvement. Secret wills allowed but must be deposited with notary. |
 Mexico | Latin America | Notaries | 3 | 18 | Notarial authentication required. Mexico City allows e-wills in exceptional circumstances. |
 Malaysia | Asia | Anyone (non-Muslims) / Islamic authorities (Muslims) | 2 | 18 | Wills Act 1959 for non-Muslims. Muslims use wasiat system limited to 1/3. Beneficiaries cannot witness. |
 Nigeria | Africa | Anyone | 2 | 21 | Wills Act 1837 still applies. Beneficiaries cannot witness. Islamic law may limit to 1/3 of estate for Muslims. |
 Netherlands | Europe | Notaries only | N/A | N/A | Most restrictive - ALL wills require notarial involvement. Even holographic wills must be deposited with notary. |
 Peru | Latin America | Anyone (holographic) / Notary (public) | 2-3 | 18 | Civil Code 1984. Must be registered within 1 year of testator's death. Forced heirship rules. |
 Pakistan | Asia | Anyone | 2 | 18 | Succession Act 1925. Muslims limited to 1/3. Provincial laws may vary. Registration recommended. |
 Paraguay | Latin America | Notary (escribano público) | 3-5 | 18 | Civil Code. Open wills: 3 witnesses. Closed wills: 5 witnesses. Strong forced heirship. |
 Serbia | Europe | Anyone (holographic) / Judge or Notary (public) | 2 (public wills) | 16 | Law on Inheritance 1995. Central will registry. Forced heirship rules apply. |
 Russia | Europe | Anyone / Notaries | 2 | 18 | Written will with witnesses or notarisation required. Research in progress for specific requirements. |
 Saudi Arabia | Middle East | Shariah court officials | 2 Muslim males | 21 | Strict Shariah law. Limited to 1/3 for non-heirs. Must be approved by Shariah court. |
 Singapore | Asia-Pacific | Anyone | 2 | 21 | Higher witness age requirement (21+). Online will services permitted. CPF nominations separate. |
 Slovenia | Europe | Anyone (holographic) / Notary or Judge | 2-3 | 15 | Inheritance Act. Testator minimum age 15 (lowest in Europe). Forced heirship rules. |
 Tunisia | Africa | Notary | 2 | 20 | Civil Code influenced by French law. Muslims limited to 1/3. Registration required. |
 Türkiye | Middle East | Government-appointed notary lawyers | 2 | 18 | Notaries cannot refuse based on nationality/religion. Must be in Turkish or officially translated. Walk-in service available in every district. |
 Tanzania | Africa | Anyone (written) / Court (oral) | 2 | 21 | Indian Succession Act applies. Oral wills valid for military/mariners. Muslims limited to 1/3. |
 Ukraine | Europe | Notary | 2 + Notary | 18 | Civil Code. Must be notarised. Forced heirship for children/spouse. Recent 2024 notary fee updates. |
 Uganda | Africa | Anyone | 2 | 18 | Succession (Amendment) Act 2022 equalises gender rights. Muslims can follow Islamic law. |
| United States - California | North America | Licensed attorneys only | 2 | 18 | Holographic wills allowed without witnesses. Unauthorised practice is a misdemeanour. |
| United States - Florida | North America | Licensed attorneys only | 2 | 18 | Does NOT recognise holographic wills. Electronic wills allowed since 2020. |
| United States - New York | North America | Licensed attorneys only | 2 | 18 | Witnesses must sign within 30 days. Very limited holographic will acceptance. |
| United States - Texas | North America | Licensed attorneys only | 2 | 14 | Witnesses can be 14+. Holographic wills recognised without witnesses. |
 Uruguay | Latin America | Anyone (holographic) / Notary | 3-5 | 18 | Civil Code. Must be in Spanish. Strong forced heirship protections. |
 Venezuela | Latin America | Anyone (holographic) / Registrar | 0-5 | 18 | Civil Code. Public wills need 5 witnesses. Strong forced heirship (up to 75% of estate). |
 Vietnam | Asia | Anyone | 2 | 18 | Civil Code 2015. Written, oral, or notarised wills valid. Must be in Vietnamese or officially translated. |
 South Africa | Africa | Anyone | 2 | 14 | Lower witness age (14+). Based on Wills Act 1953. |
Unique Global Requirements
Notable variations and special requirements drawn from our jurisdictional research
Witness Age Extremes
- Texas, USA: 14 years (lowest in US)
- South Africa: 14 years
- United Kingdom - Scotland: 16 years for witnesses
- Singapore: 21 years (highest found)
Language Requirements
- Japan: Must be in Japanese (English translation attached)
- Turkey: Turkish or official translation required
- Malta: Wills may be in Maltese or English
- South Korea: Can notarise English documents
Witness Requirements
- United Kingdom - Scotland: Only 1 witness needed
- Most jurisdictions: 2 witnesses standard
- Spain/Brazil/Chile: 3 witnesses required
- Philippines: 3 witnesses for notarial wills
- Italy/Japan: Holographic (handwritten) wills allowed with 0 witnesses, but not recognised in the UK, Australia, New Zealand or Singapore
Unique Requirements
- Japan: Hanko (seal) + signature required
- Victoria, Australia: Beneficiaries CAN witness
- Netherlands: Complete notarial monopoly
- British Columbia, Canada: Digital signatures allowed
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