How many witnesses does a will require in Ontario?

A formally executed will in Ontario requires two witnesses. Both must be present when the testator signs the will, and both must then sign the will themselves while the testator and the other witness are also present. All three signings — the testator's and both witnesses' — should happen in a single continuous ceremony, not at separate times or locations.

The requirement for two witnesses applies to typed or printed wills. A holograph will (entirely in the testator's handwriting and signed by them) is the one significant exception: it requires no witnesses at all.

Each witness must be at least 18 years old. The witnesses do not need to know the contents of the will — they are only attesting that they observed the testator sign. Neither witness should be a beneficiary under the will or a spouse of a beneficiary, as this can void the beneficiary's gift.

If only one witness signs, or if the signatures are not made in the required order or presence, the will may fail for lack of proper execution. A lawyer can supervise the signing to ensure every technical requirement is met.