--- title: "Do You Need a Notary for a Will in District of Columbia?" description: "District of Columbia will: no, not for the will itself, per the official page. What else the signing needs, and the next step." url: "https://mcc-solutionsnj.com/notary/does-it-need-a-notary/will-district-of-columbia" --- Does it need a notary? · District of Columbia # Do you need a notary for a will in District of Columbia? The answer from the state's own pages, what else a will needs to be signed properly here, and how to get it done. ✓ New Jersey commissioned notary, no. 50244803, insured for errors and omissions. [See the credentials](/about/credentials) No, not for the will itself. The signing rule on the pages we read asks for two or more credible witnesses, who attest in the testator's presence. A notary isn't part of that rule; the pages we read say there's no separate self-proving affidavit here either. ## In the source's wording "at least two credible witnesses" From the sources listed below, checked November 2026. ## What else the signing needs Self-proving affidavit Not available. Nolo's D.C. page says D.C. doesn't offer the self-proving option that spares the witnesses from going to court to testify that they saw the will signed. "D.C. does not give you this option" Interested witnesses An interested witness can lose any gift the will leaves them (Nolo, citing D.C. Code 18-104). Remote or video signing For an electronic will only: at least two witnesses sign in the testator's physical or electronic presence, and each must be a resident of a state and physically in a state when signing. "in the physical or electronic presence of the testator" Electronic wills Authorized. The execution section carves out wills made under the Uniform Electronic Wills Act in Chapter 9. "other than a will executed in the manner provided by section 18-107 or Chapter 9 of this title" Handwritten wills Not recognized unless witnessed: a will is void unless two credible witnesses attest and sign it in the testator's presence (D.C. Code 18-103). The section's only exceptions are oral (nuncupative) wills and electronic wills. "attested and subscribed in the presence of the testator, by at least two credible witnesses" Who can make a will 18 or older, of sound and disposing mind. "of sound and disposing mind" ## Next step Plan an in-person signing, with the witnesses in the room. Online notarization of a will is generally not available through us: New Jersey's remote notarization law leaves wills and codicils out for signers outside the U.S. ([N.J.S.A. 52:7-10.10](https://pub.njleg.gov/bills/2020/PL21/179_.HTM)), and states set their own rules on video witnessing. Here: For an electronic will only: at least two witnesses sign in the testator's physical or electronic presence, and each must be a resident of a state and physically in a state when signing. The pages we read say District of Columbia has no separate self-proving affidavit, so the will itself needs no notary. If another paper you're signing does, we can look for a mobile notary commissioned in District of Columbia. [Request a mobile notary in District of Columbia](/notary/mobile-notary-outside-new-jersey) 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](/notary/fees-by-state/district-of-columbia)). ## Sources - [D.C. Code 18-103, Execution of written will; attestation (DC Council)](https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/18-103) (checked November 2026) - [D.C. Code 18-102, Capacity to make a will (DC Council)](https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/18-102) (checked November 2026) - [D.C. Code Title 18, Chapter 1, Wills (DC Council)](https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/titles/18/chapters/1) (checked November 2026) - [D.C. Code 18-905, Execution of electronic will (DC Council)](https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/18-905) (checked November 2026) - [Nolo (secondary source): Making a Will in the District of Columbia (Nolo, updated October 2022)](https://nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/district-of-columbia-make-will-31908.html) (checked November 2026) Sourced from official pages; a few facts from vetted secondary sources, marked "(secondary source)". 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 **Does a will have to be notarized in District of Columbia?** No, not for the will itself. The signing rule on the pages we read asks for two or more credible witnesses, who attest in the testator's presence. A notary isn't part of that rule; the pages we read say there's no separate self-proving affidavit here either. **Is there a self-proving affidavit for a District of Columbia will?** Not available. Nolo's D.C. page says D.C. doesn't offer the self-proving option that spares the witnesses from going to court to testify that they saw the will signed. **Can a will be signed over video in District of Columbia?** For an electronic will only: at least two witnesses sign in the testator's physical or electronic presence, and each must be a resident of a state and physically in a state when signing. **Can a beneficiary witness a District of Columbia will?** An interested witness can lose any gift the will leaves them (Nolo, citing D.C. Code 18-104). ## Keep going - [District of Columbia will signing requirements](/notary/will-signing-requirements-district-of-columbia) - [Will signing-day checklist](/notary/will-signing-day-checklist?state=dc) - [Will witness rules in every state](/notary/will-witness-requirements-by-state) - [A small estate affidavit in District of Columbia](/notary/does-it-need-a-notary/small-estate-affidavit-district-of-columbia) A will in another state: [Delaware](/notary/does-it-need-a-notary/will-delaware) · [Florida](/notary/does-it-need-a-notary/will-florida) · [every state](/notary/does-it-need-a-notary?doc=will) ## Signing a will in person? [Request a mobile notary](/notary/mobile-notary-outside-new-jersey)[Call (908) 444-6373](tel:+19084446373)