Creating your will is a key step in your estate plan - but it’s not legally binding until it’s properly signed and witnessed. This article outlines the requirements for signing and witnessing your will, with attention to variations across provinces. To be legally valid, your will must meet specific formalities set out by provincial law. This includes being signed by you (the will-maker) and witnessed by eligible individuals. You do not need a lawyer or notary to make your Willful will legally valid. It becomes legally binding as long as it's signed and witnessed according to the instructions provided. These steps help ensure the document reflects your true intentions and wasn't made under pressure or fraud.
Who can witness your will?
In most provinces, your will must be signed in front of two witnesses who meet the following criteria:
Over the age of majority (18 in most provinces)
Mentally capable of understanding what they’re doing
Not a beneficiary or spouse of a beneficiary under the will
Witnessing tip: To avoid potential legal challenges, choose witnesses who are neutral third parties — friends, neighbours, or coworkers often make good options.
Each Willful document has a detailed instructions page outlining signing and witnessing your will. It also includes a list of people who should not witness your will.
Tips for finding witnesses:
Reach out to your community
Neighbours: A friendly neighbour can be a convenient choice.
Friends & acquaintances: You don’t need a close friend - just someone willing to witness the signing.
Check your workplace
Coworkers: A colleague may be happy to help, especially for a quick signature.
Utilize paid witnessing services
If you’re unable to find personal witnesses, paid services offer professional witnessing for an additional fee.
How to sign your will
Follow these steps to make your will legally valid:
Print the full document. If you created your will online, print the complete version.
Gather your two witnesses. Make sure they are both present at the same time.
Sign in front of both witnesses. Use a pen to sign the will while they watch.
Have your witnesses sign. Each witness signs in your presence and in each other’s presence.
Note: No one should sign the will before the will-maker does - your signature must come first.
Initialing is not legally required in any Canadian province, but it’s a good practice. At Willful, we provide space for the will-maker and witnesses to initial each page to confirm that the content has been reviewed and to help prevent tampering. You and your witnesses can sign your will while outside your province or country. To complete your Willful documents, you and your two witnesses initial the bottom of each page of the document body. You will also sign on the signature page at the end, next to your names.
What counts as the original will?
You only need one original of your will. Once it’s properly signed and witnessed, that version becomes legally valid. Having multiple originals (each one signed and witnessed) can sometimes lead to confusion — especially if there’s uncertainty about which one is the “true” original.
Storage tip: Make a few photocopies or digital copies for your records or to share with appointees. Just make sure they know where the original is stored. Learn more about storage here.
Important: Scans, photocopies, or unsigned printed copies are not considered originals. However, in some cases, courts may validate imperfect documents under "substantial compliance" laws.
Remote witnessing options
During COVID-19, some provinces introduced temporary or permanent rules to allow remote witnessing via video call. These rules vary by province and may require one or both witnesses to be lawyers or paralegals.
Paid service: Digital Execution (BC only)
In BC, you can schedule a virtual witnessing session:
Book your appointment using this link or from your Willful account.
You’ll be invited to a calendar event and submit your information.
At your appointment, show photo ID to confirm your identity.
You and the two witnesses will take turns screen-sharing and signing via DocuSign.
After the session, you'll receive a fully executed PDF of your will — this is your legal original.
Security note: Electronic signatures include audit trails, completion certificates, and tamper-evident seals. Enhanced verification methods (email, SMS, ID checks) make digital signatures a secure choice. However, you don’t have to sign your will digitally - you can still print, sign, and witness it in person on paper.
Learn more about how to book a Digital Execution Appointment here.
Paid service: Digital Execution with NotaryPro (Ontario only)
If you’re in Ontario, Willful has partnered with Notary Pro for secure digital execution. You can also get your Power of Attorney signed with Notary Pro.
Book your appointment using this link or from your Willful account.
Upload your documents.
Choose a date and time.
Complete payment to secure your appointment.
Receive a confirmation email. Your notary will reach out to finalize details.
Note: This is a third-party service. For any questions about your appointment, please contact Notary Pro directly.