District of Columbia Will Signing Day Kit: DC's Witness and Notary Rules, Signing-Day Checklist, Witness Sheet and Original-Will Record

Who it is for

Anyone signing a will in District of Columbia, and the family member, friend or office helping set up the signing. Who can make a will, per the official page: 18 or older, of sound and disposing mind.

Not the right fit if

The person signing isn't in District of Columbia, you still need the will written (that's a lawyer's job), or someone may contest it. Not a will form or a legal service.

Why it is different

• Built only from our DC will signing data file, checked November 2026 against D.C. Code 18-103, Execution of written will; attestation (DC Council); D.C. Code 18-102, Capacity to make a will (DC Council); D.C. Code Title 18, Chapter 1, Wills (DC Council); D.C. Code 18-905, Execution of electronic will (DC Council); Nolo (secondary source): Making a Will in the District of Columbia (Nolo, updated October 2022).
• All 7 DC facts are confirmed: on an official page, or where none could be read, on a vetted secondary source marked as such.
• Sources: https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/18-103 https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/18-102 https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/titles/18/chapters/1 https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/18-905 https://nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/district-of-columbia-make-will-31908.html
• For the estate side in DC, the District of Columbia Executor and Estate Kit: All assets subject to administration in DC worth $40,000 or less (the figure in effect since April 27, 2001).

What is inside

• Start here. The 7 confirmed DC facts at a glance.
• DC signing-day checklist. Bring 2 witnesses. The rule: Two or more credible witnesses, who attest in the testator's presence. Pick witnesses who get nothing under the will and aren't married to someone who does. If a beneficiary would have to witness, stop and call the lawyer first: An interested witness can lose any gift the will leaves them (Nolo, citing D.C. Code 18-104). No self-proving affidavit to arrange for this state: 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. The rule here: An interested witness can lose any gift the will leaves them (Nolo, citing D.C. Code 18-104). The testator signs (or acknowledges the signature) while the witnesses watch, then each witness signs.
• Witness information sheet. One block per DC witness (2 required, plus a spare).
• Original-will storage and location record. Where the original is and who has copies. Handwritten wills in DC: 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.
• DC will signing tracker (Excel). Steps, ID, copies and review dates. Remote witnessing in DC: 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. Electronic wills: Authorized. The execution section carves out wills made under the Uniform Electronic Wills Act in Chapter 9.