Knowledge & Resources
Wills and estate planning
What a will does, how to write one, and what your state requires for it to count.
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Wills and estate planning
What a will does, how to write one, and what your state requires for it to count.
Washington allows witnesses to sign an affidavit instead of the will itself, and it recognises electronic presence for signing.
A Washington will must be in writing and signed by the testator, or by someone else at the testator's direction in the testator's presence or electronic presence. It must be attested by two or more competent witnesses, who either subscribe their names to the will or sign an affidavit that meets the statute's requirements, while in the presence or electronic presence of the testator and at the testator's direction. Washington is unusual in accepting electronic presence, and in letting the witnesses' signatures live on a separate affidavit rather than on the will itself.
RCW § 11.12.020
No. RCW 11.12.020 requires two competent witnesses, not a notary. A notary appears where the witnesses sign the accompanying affidavit rather than the will, but that is a route for the witnesses' signatures, not a substitute for having witnesses at all.
RCW § 11.12.020
A will is not invalid because an interested witness signed it, an interested witness being someone who would receive a gift under it. But unless at least two other subscribing witnesses are disinterested, the gift to that witness raises a rebuttable presumption that they procured it by duress, menace, fraud or undue influence. A witness who fails to rebut it keeps only as much of the gift as they would have received had there been no will.
RCW § 11.12.160
Any person of sound mind who has attained the age of eighteen years may dispose of their estate by will in Washington.
RCW § 11.12.010
RCW § 11.12.020 (Requisites of wills -- Foreign wills -- Electronic presence). In writing, signed by the testator (or by another at their direction and in their presence), and attested by two or more competent witnesses subscribing in the testator's presence or electronic presence.
Links last checked 2026-08-25.
This is general information about the law, not legal advice, and it has not been reviewed by an attorney licensed in Washington. Requirements change. Confirm the current rules for your state before you sign.
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