Real‑World Examples of Witness Signatures in Self-Proving Wills

Law school treats wills like theory. Probate courts treat them like paperwork. The bridge between the two is the signature page. Looking at concrete examples of witness signatures in self-proving wills is the fastest way to understand what actually works in real life—and what ends up getting litigated.

Below, I’ll walk through different signature setups you’re likely to see in the U.S. and abroad, and how they play out when the will finally hits the courthouse.

Basic U.S. example of a self-proving will signature page

Start with the standard, no‑drama scenario you’d see in many states that follow the Uniform Probate Code.

A typical example of witness signatures in self-proving wills in this situation looks like this in plain English:

• The testator (person making the will) signs at the end of the document.
• Two adult witnesses sign under a statement that they watched the testator sign (or the testator acknowledged the signature).
• A notary signs and stamps a short self‑proving affidavit that the testator and witnesses signed in front of the notary.

On the page, you’d see:

• A signature line for the testator, with the name typed or printed underneath.
• Two separate witness signature lines, each with:
  • Signature
  • Printed name
  • Address
  • Sometimes a short declaration like “Witness.”
• A notary block with:
  • Notary’s signature
  • Notary seal
  • Commission expiration date

The key detail: all three people (testator + two witnesses) sign on the same date, in the same general signing ceremony, and the notary actually sees them sign or acknowledge their signatures. Courts in states like Arizona, Colorado, and others that have adopted the Uniform Probate Code will treat this as a textbook self‑proving will.

Examples of witness signatures in self-proving wills with different handwriting styles

People worry that their signature is “messy” or inconsistent. Probate courts do not care about beauty; they care about authenticity and procedure.

Here are examples of witness signatures in self-proving wills that usually pass muster even when the penmanship is all over the place:

• A witness signs with a quick scrawl that looks nothing like their printed name, but their full printed name and address are clearly typed under the line.
• A witness uses a shortened version of their name (for example, signing “J. R. Clark” when their typed name is “Jennifer Rose Clark”).
• A witness signs with a slightly different signature than on their driver’s license, but is available to confirm in an affidavit if ever needed.

As long as the witness intended that mark to be their signature, signed in the testator’s presence, and met the state’s requirements (usually age and disinterested status), these are still strong real examples of witness signatures in self-proving wills that hold up.

Courts generally treat these as questions of fact, not perfection. If challenged, the notary and the witnesses can testify or provide affidavits confirming they actually signed the document.

Example of a witness who can’t write a full signature

Real life is messy: some witnesses have limited mobility, low literacy, or visual impairments. That doesn’t automatically disqualify them.

A very common example of witness signatures in self-proving wills is a witness who signs with:

• An “X” or simple mark
• A very shaky, partial signature
• A signature written by another person at their direction (allowed in some states, if properly documented)

In many jurisdictions, a witness can make a mark instead of a traditional signature, as long as:

• The mark is made intentionally as a signature.
• The notary and testator observe the act.
• The witness is otherwise competent (of age and of sound mind).

Some lawyers will add a note under the line, such as: “Mark made by Witness in presence of notary and testator.” That gives the probate judge helpful context.

This kind of scenario is a good reminder: the law is more interested in genuine intent and proper witnessing than in calligraphy.

For a sense of how states codify this, see the Uniform Probate Code’s execution requirements discussed by the Uniform Law Commission and state‑level summaries (for example, the Arizona Judicial Branch self‑proving affidavit form under their probate resources).

Best examples of witness signatures in self-proving wills with remote notarization

Since 2020, many states have adopted some form of remote online notarization (RON). That means some of the best examples of witness signatures in self-proving wills now involve a webcam instead of a conference room.

A modern remote‑friendly scenario might look like this:

• The testator signs the will on paper in their home.
• Two witnesses join a secure video session with a remote notary.
• Each witness either:
  • Signs in ink on a counterpart original mailed to the notary, or
  • Signs electronically in an approved e‑will platform, depending on state law.
• The notary completes an electronic self‑proving affidavit, with digital signature and seal.

States like Florida, Arizona, and Utah have detailed statutes on remote notarization and, in some cases, electronic wills. The National Notary Association tracks current RON laws by state: https://www.nationalnotary.org.

In practice, the signatures might look more like a software audit trail than a traditional ink signature page. But the legal theory is the same: the testator and witnesses must appear (virtually) before the notary, confirm identity, and sign or acknowledge the will and affidavit.

If you’re relying on remote notarization, it is worth checking your state’s probate code or a local attorney, because not every state treats remote self‑proving affidavits the same way.

Examples include disinterested vs. interested witnesses

A classic trap: using your main beneficiary as a witness. In many states, that doesn’t automatically kill the will, but it can partially invalidate the gift to that witness.

Here are real examples of witness signatures in self-proving wills where the witness’s relationship to the testator matters a lot:

• The testator’s adult child signs as a witness and is also the primary beneficiary. In some states (like New York and California), that child’s inheritance may be limited unless there’s another disinterested witness.
• A caregiver who is also inheriting a large bequest signs as a witness. That can invite claims of undue influence, especially with elderly testators.
• Two neighbors with no stake in the estate sign as witnesses. This is the cleanest scenario and often the first choice of estate planning attorneys.

When lawyers talk about the best examples of witness signatures in self-proving wills, they almost always mean two disinterested, unrelated adults who are not named in the will and have no financial interest in the estate.

The law varies widely, but the pattern is consistent: the more neutral your witnesses, the easier your executor’s life will be later.

International examples of witness signatures in self-proving wills

If you live abroad or own property in more than one country, the signature rules can get complicated fast.

Here are examples of witness signatures in self-proving wills that cross borders:

• A U.S. citizen living in the U.K. signs a will before two U.K. witnesses and a U.K. solicitor acting as notary. The will is drafted to comply with both English law and the law of the U.S. state where the person owns real estate.
• A dual‑citizen signs a separate U.S. will and foreign will, each with witnesses and notarization that match local law. The U.S. will includes a standard self‑proving affidavit under that state’s statute.

International practice often relies on the Hague Apostille Convention for authenticating notarial acts across borders. The U.S. State Department explains apostilles and foreign notarization here: https://travel.state.gov.

The headline: if your life crosses borders, you want a lawyer who can line up your witness signatures and self‑proving affidavits so that at least one will is unquestionably valid in each relevant jurisdiction.

Common mistakes in witness signatures that derail self-proving wills

Looking at examples of witness signatures in self-proving wills is useful not just for what goes right, but for spotting what goes wrong. These are patterns probate courts see again and again:

Witnesses not signing in the testator’s presence
Some states allow the testator and witnesses to sign within a short time of each other, but not all. If the testator signs at home and the witnesses sign later at the law office, the will might be valid but not self‑proving.

Missing notary signature or seal on the affidavit
The will might still be valid as a witnessed will, but it loses the self‑proving shortcut. That means your executor has to track down witnesses years later to sign new affidavits.

Witnesses under 18 or legally incompetent
A 16‑year‑old grandchild is a sweet gesture, not a valid witness in most states.

Only one witness signature in a two‑witness state
This is the kind of technical defect that can sink the entire will if the state strictly requires two witnesses.

The American Bar Association’s consumer resources on estate planning (see https://www.americanbar.org) regularly emphasize: follow your state’s signature formalities exactly, or risk an expensive fight later.

2024–2025 trends affecting witness signatures and self-proving wills

A few developments are reshaping what real examples of witness signatures in self-proving wills look like right now:

More electronic and remote wills
Since the pandemic, several states have adopted statutes allowing electronic wills or remote witnessing under specific conditions. That means:

• Typed names plus secure digital signatures may stand in place of ink signatures.
• Video recordings of the signing ceremony are sometimes preserved as backup evidence.

Standardized self-proving forms
More probate courts are publishing model self‑proving affidavit forms on their websites, which indirectly standardizes how witness signatures appear. For example, many county courts now provide downloadable forms with clear signature blocks for testator, witnesses, and notary.

Higher scrutiny of elder financial abuse
With aging populations, courts and regulators are paying closer attention to who is in the room when wills are signed. That makes neutral, independent witnesses more valuable than ever.

If you’re drafting a will in 2024–2025, ask your attorney specifically how your state treats remote witnessing, e‑signatures, and self‑proving affidavits. The law is changing faster than most online templates can keep up.

Practical tips drawn from the best examples of witness signatures in self-proving wills

Pulling all of these examples together, a few practical patterns stand out:

• Aim for two adult, disinterested witnesses who are not beneficiaries.
• Make sure all signatures—the testator, both witnesses, and the notary—are done in one coordinated ceremony, whether in person or remotely, as your state allows.
• Use clear printed names and contact information under each signature so witnesses can be located years later if needed.
• If there is anything unusual (a witness mark instead of a signature, remote notarization, language barriers), document the circumstances clearly in the affidavit and in your attorney’s file.

When in doubt, look at your state’s statute on self‑proving wills and match your signature page to the statutory language as closely as possible. That’s what most estate planning lawyers are doing behind the scenes.

FAQ: Examples of Witness Signatures in Self-Proving Wills

Q: Can you give a simple example of a valid witness signature on a self-proving will?
A: Picture a will signed in Texas. At the end, the testator signs in ink. Underneath, two neighbors each sign their normal signatures, print their full names and addresses, and date their signatures. A notary then completes a Texas‑style self‑proving affidavit where the testator and both witnesses sign again in front of the notary. That is a straightforward example of witness signatures in self-proving wills that probate courts routinely accept.

Q: Are printed names alone acceptable as witness signatures?
A: Usually no. The printed name is helpful for identification, but the witness should intend to sign—whether that’s a cursive signature, a stylized mark, or an “X” in jurisdictions that allow it. The printed name should appear under or next to the signature, not instead of it.

Q: Do witnesses have to sign on the same page as the testator?
A: Not necessarily. Many wills put the testator’s signature on one page and the witness signatures on the next. What matters is that the witnesses are signing the same will document and that the execution ceremony meets state law. Still, most lawyers prefer to keep all signatures as close together as possible to avoid confusion.

Q: Can a spouse or child be a witness if they are not inheriting anything?
A: Often yes, but many attorneys still avoid it. Even if the spouse or child is not a named beneficiary, a court might see them as indirectly interested. The cleanest examples of witness signatures in self-proving wills usually involve non‑family witnesses with no financial stake.

Q: What happens if the notary forgets to sign the self-proving affidavit?
A: The will may still be valid as a standard witnessed will, but it probably loses its self‑proving status. That means your executor will need to track down witnesses later to sign new affidavits or testify. It’s an avoidable hassle, which is why checking the notary’s signature and seal at the time of signing is so important.

Q: Are there public examples of self-proving will forms I can review?
A: Many state courts and bar associations publish sample forms. Look at your state’s judiciary or bar association website for probate or estate planning forms. These often include statutory self‑proving affidavits with clearly labeled signature lines for the testator, witnesses, and notary, giving you practical examples of witness signatures in self-proving wills that match local law.