Estate PlanningDistrict of Columbia

District of Columbia Last Will and Testament

A last will and testament lets you name an executor, a guardian for minor children, and the people who inherit your estate. In District of Columbia, a will generally must be signed by the testator and two witnesses; notarization is not required for the will to be valid (D.C. Code 18-103).

This template walks you through your executor, your beneficiaries, and any specific gifts, then produces a District of Columbia will ready to print and sign following the requirements below, in Word and PDF.

Create your District of Columbia last will and testament Read the full Last Will and Testament guide

District of Columbia will signing requirements

District of Columbia last will and testament requirements at a glance
Witnesses	Two witnesses
Notarization	Not required for the will to be valid; a notary comes in only for the optional self-proving affidavit
Self-proving affidavit	Not provided for by statute
Holographic (handwritten) wills	Not recognized
Statute	D.C. Code 18-103

District of Columbia law does not provide for self-proving affidavits, so the witnesses may need to be located when the will is probated.

The District requires two attesting witnesses, so an unwitnessed handwritten will is not valid if executed there.

Verify before you rely on it

Wills statutes change, and probate courts apply them strictly. Confirm the current District of Columbia requirement in the statute cited above (or with your state's self-help resources) before signing your will.

How this template works in District of Columbia

Answer guided questions about your executor, guardians for minor children, and beneficiaries, and the will writes itself in front of you. Then print it and sign it with your witnesses following the District of Columbia requirements above; a will has no effect until it is properly signed.

The form, the live preview, and the full guide live on the main Last Will and Testament page.

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District of Columbia will signing requirements

How this template works in District of Columbia

Last Will and Testament in other states