Only in some cases.
The petition is declared under penalty of law; an affidavit about personal effects, if any, must be notarized.
In the official wording
"Notarized affidavit concerning personal effects of value owned solely by the decedent, if any."
From the official pages listed below, checked November 2026.
What else the signing needs
- Value limit
- All assets subject to administration in DC worth $40,000 or less (the figure in effect since April 27, 2001).
"All assets subject to administration in the District of Columbia do not exceed $40,000.00, effective April 27, 2001."
- Where it goes
- Filed with the Register of Wills, Probate Division of DC Superior Court, in person or by mail.
"Office of the Register of Wills, Probate Division"
- Official form
- Petition for Administration of Small Estate. Filed with Forms 26 and 27 and a court cost of up to $150 (for $25,000.01 to $40,000). Open the official form
- Other simplified route
- Small estate administration (SEB). A short court proceeding that appoints a personal representative, with notice to creditors and unknown heirs.
- Surviving spouse
- The surviving spouse or registered domestic partner is high in the priority list to serve.
"The surviving spouse, registered domestic partner, or children of the intestate decedent"
Not confirmed on the pages we read: the waiting period. Check with the probate court or court clerk (DC Superior Court Probate Division: Filing for the administration of a small estate (SEB) brochure (PDF)).
Next step
Sign by video with our New Jersey notary while you're in District of Columbia, 7 AM to 9 PM Eastern, seven days a week, by appointment. New Jersey law lets a New Jersey notary notarize for a signer located in another state (N.J.S.A. 52:7-10.10). How District of Columbia treats it: The District gives a notarial act performed in another state the same effect as one by a District notarial officer, when a notary public of that state performs it. The rule dates from D.C. Law 22-189 (December 2018). More on District of Columbia signers.
Ask the bank, holder or court that will receive the affidavit whether it accepts an electronically notarized one.
Book an online notarization Request a mobile notary in District of Columbia
In person, we look for a notary commissioned in District of Columbia near you; you approve the price first.
If a local notary in District of Columbia does it: Up to $5 per notarial act, under the state's fee rules (District of Columbia notary fees).
Official sources
- DC Superior Court Probate Division: Filing for the administration of a small estate (SEB) brochure (PDF) (checked November 2026)
- DC Courts: Small estates (SEB) FAQs (checked November 2026)
We are not lawyers, and this is general information, not legal advice. Checked November 2026. Rules change, and whoever receives the document decides what it accepts; we can't guarantee acceptance.
Common questions
Is a notary required for a District of Columbia small estate affidavit?
Only in some cases. The petition is declared under penalty of law; an affidavit about personal effects, if any, must be notarized.
What is the small estate limit in District of Columbia?
All assets subject to administration in DC worth $40,000 or less (the figure in effect since April 27, 2001).
Is the District of Columbia affidavit filed with a court?
Filed with the Register of Wills, Probate Division of DC Superior Court, in person or by mail.
Can I sign the District of Columbia affidavit with an online notary?
Our New Jersey notary can notarize it by video while you're in District of Columbia. The District gives a notarial act performed in another state the same effect as one by a District notarial officer, when a notary public of that state performs it. The rule dates from D.C. Law 22-189 (December 2018). Ask the bank, holder or court that will receive it whether it accepts an electronically notarized affidavit.
What does a notary charge in District of Columbia?
Up to $5 per notarial act, under the state's fee rules. A mobile notary may add a travel fee; ask for the total first.
Keep going
A small estate affidavit in another state: Connecticut · Georgia · every state