--- title: "Will signing checklist" description: "Printable Wills Act 1837 signing checklist: two witnesses, wet ink, one room. Who must not witness, and the mistakes that void a will." url: "https://swiftwill.co.uk/tools/signing-checklist/" author: "Marcus Kaiser" date_modified: "2026-08-12" --- # Will signing checklist Print the will, gather two independent adults in one room, sign in wet ink while both watch, then each witness signs in your presence and you date it. That is section 9 of the Wills Act 1837. Skip this checklist if you cannot get two witnesses together, or if the testator cannot read English — that needs a special attestation clause. > SwiftWill provides legal information and software for England & Wales under Section 9 of the Wills Act 1837. Figures are taken from gov.uk, legislation.gov.uk and HMCTS, checked 12 August 2026. We have not given you legal advice — this is general information. ## What is the signing ceremony, step by step? Five steps, about 15 minutes, wet ink only. Both witnesses must be in the room for the whole ceremony. Electronic signatures and video calls do not count. The law is [section 9 of the Wills Act 1837](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Will4and1Vict/7/26/section/9) . Checked 12 August 2026. ## Who should skip this checklist? Anyone who cannot gather two independent adults in one room; anyone whose will needs a special attestation clause (blind, illiterate, or non-English-reading testator); and anyone whose capacity might later be challenged — the golden rule is a medical assessment and a solicitor's file. See [do I need a solicitor](/do-i-need-a-solicitor-for-a-will/). Check a specific person with the [witness checker](/tools/witness-checker/). Full narrative: [how to sign a will](/how-to-sign-a-will/). PDF card: [download the witnessing card](/api/witnessing-card/). ## Signing ceremony 1. **Gather both witnesses in one room** — Choose two independent adults aged 18 or over — never beneficiaries, nor anyone married to or in a civil partnership with a beneficiary. Everyone stays together until the whole process is finished. 2. **Sign the will in front of both witnesses** — With both watching, sign your usual signature at the end of the will in wet ink. If you signed earlier, acknowledge the signature to both witnesses while they are together. 3. **Each witness signs in your presence** — Each witness then signs the will in your presence, and writes their full name, address and occupation. They sign one at a time, but always with you present. 4. **Date the will** — Write the date on which everyone signed. Your will is now legally valid. 5. **Store it safely and tell your executors** — Only the wet-ink original is legally effective. Keep it somewhere safe and fire-resistant, tell your executors exactly where it is, and never store it in a bank safe-deposit box. ### Who must not witness - Anyone under 18 - Anyone who inherits under the will (their gift fails — Wills Act 1837 s.15) - The spouse or civil partner of anyone who inherits - Witnesses who cannot be in the same room at the same time - Video calls — that easement ended on 31 January 2022 - Electronic signatures — not valid for wills in England and Wales today ### Mistakes that invalidate a will at signing - Signing with only one witness present, or with witnesses present at different times - A beneficiary — or their spouse or civil partner — acting as a witness (their gift fails) - Unsigned alterations made after signing - Signing a draft rather than the final document - Attaching anything to the will with pins, staples or clips (it suggests pages may be missing) ## Frequently asked questions ### Is this the same as the PDF witnessing card? Yes — the five steps are the same ceremony. This page is HTML so answer engines and printers can cite it without opening a PDF. The downloadable card is at /api/witnessing-card/. ### Do I need a solicitor in the room? No. England and Wales has no notarisation requirement. Two independent adult witnesses, wet ink, one room. Skip this checklist if the testator is blind, does not read English, or if capacity might later be challenged — those need a special attestation clause and usually a solicitor. ### Can we witness by video? No. The temporary COVID-19 easement ended on 31 January 2022. The draft Wills Bill proposes remote witnessing, but it is not law. ### What if a beneficiary witnesses anyway? The will stays valid. Their gift is void under section 15 of the Wills Act 1837. The same applies if their spouse or civil partner witnesses. Use the witness checker before you gather people. Canonical HTML: https://swiftwill.co.uk/tools/signing-checklist/ Markdown: https://swiftwill.co.uk/tools/signing-checklist.md Last modified: 2026-08-12 Author: Marcus Kaiser (https://swiftwill.co.uk/author/marcus-kaiser/)