Living Will Requirements in Illinois
An Illinois living will declaration must be signed and witnessed by two adults; notarization is not required.
Last checked . General information, not legal advice.
Illinois at a glance
- Name of the document
- Living Will (Declaration)
- Witnesses
- 2 witnesses
- Notarization
- Optional
The rules in Illinois
What is a living will called in Illinois?
In Illinois, the document is called the Living Will (Declaration).
Does a living will need witnesses in Illinois?
Illinois requires two witnesses.
Does a living will need to be notarized in Illinois?
No. Notarization is optional in Illinois.
Where do the Illinois rules for living wills come from?
They come from 755 ILCS 35/3. We last checked them in October 2026. Laws change, so check the current statute before you rely on it.
How Illinois compares
Illinois is one of 25 jurisdictions that make notarization optional.
What this means in practice
Give copies to your doctor, your health care agent and close family, and keep the original where it can be found quickly. A living will that nobody can find cannot help.
Many states have rules about who may serve as a witness, for example excluding relatives or your health care providers. Check the statute before you sign.
Review the document after a major diagnosis, a move to another state or a change in your wishes.
General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.