What Do I Need to Sign My Will in Washington?
Witness, notary, and remote online notarization (RON) requirements for wills in Washington.
Frequently Asked Questions
Washington requires 2 witnesses for a will.RCW 11.12.020Verified Jul 15, 2026 Witnesses must be at least 18 years old.
Notarization is not required for a will to be valid in Washington.RCW 11.12.020Verified Jul 15, 2026 However, notarization Makes the will self-proving, avoiding witness testimony at probate.
Yes. A will can be executed entirely remotely in Washington — the signing happens in a live video session with an online notary (RCW 11.12.440(1)(b),(c)). 2 witnesses must join the same video session.RCW 11.12.020Verified Jul 15, 2026
To execute a will in Washington: Find 2 adults to serve as witnesses. Review witness restrictions to ensure eligibility. Get the document notarized (standard practice, not required). Sign remotely: signer, notary, and 2 witnesses in one live video session
Yes. Washington hasn't adopted the Uniform Probate Code, but it recognizes a will validly executed under another state's law as long as the will was valid where signed. The practical wrinkle is the self-proving affidavit — if the foreign will doesn't have one, witnesses may need to testify during probate. A Washington-specific will sidesteps that. The document portability tool shows the recognition rule by document type.
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