What Do I Need to Sign My Trust in Pennsylvania?

Notarization is not required for a trust to be valid in Pennsylvania.20 Pa.C.S. § 7701 et seq.Verified Jul 15, 2026 However, notarization Standard practice for trust validity and property transfers.

Pennsylvania allows Remote Online Notarization (RON) for trusts.20 Pa.C.S. § 7701 et seq.Verified Jul 15, 2026 The notarization can be completed via secure video call with an approved RON provider. The state also accepts out-of-state RON.

To execute a trust in Pennsylvania: Get the document notarized (standard practice, not required). Fund the trust by transferring assets. Update beneficiary designations as needed. Remote notarization is available; whether the document itself may be signed electronically is unresolved

Yes, with one caveat. Trusts aren't filed with the state — they're private agreements governed by the choice-of-law clause inside the trust itself — so a trust signed in another state has the same legal force in Pennsylvania for cash, brokerage accounts, and personal property. The caveat is real estate: any Pennsylvania property has to be deeded into the trust using a Pennsylvania deed before the trust controls it. Funding Pennsylvania real property is a deed-recording step, not a trust-validity step. The document portability tool lists the funding mechanics by state.