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How to sign your Will correctly

A Will that is not signed and witnessed properly may not be valid. These are the essentials.

Published October 26, 2026 ยท Updated October 26, 2026

Preparing your Will is only half the job. For it to be valid in England and Wales, it has to be signed and witnessed in the right way.

The essentials

  1. Sign your Will in front of two witnesses who are both present at the same time.
  2. Each witness then signs the Will in your presence.
  3. Witnesses should be adults who can see you sign, and who are independent.

Who should not be a witness

Anyone who benefits from your Will, or who is married to or in a civil partnership with someone who benefits, should not witness it. If they do, the gift to them could fail.

Afterwards

Keep the signed original somewhere safe and tell your executors where it is. Do not staple, pin or attach anything to it.

This article is general information about England and Wales, not advice about your circumstances.

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