How to Sign a Will

This article demonstrates the correct procedure for signing your Will, in 5 short steps. There is also a brief video below to guide you.

1. Find two appropriate Witnesses
2. Sign Your Will in the presence of both Witnesses
3. Witnesses Sign in your Presence
4. Date Your Will on Front and Back
5. Return Your Will to your Lawyer by Tracked Mail or Store it Safely

Step 1: The first step is to find two witnesses.

• The witnesses should be at least 18 years old.
• The witnesses should be independent and not members of your family.
• The witnesses and their spouses should not benefit from your Will in any way.

You and the two witnesses must all stay together for the following steps 2, 3 and 4. You must all write using blue or black ink (including ballpoint), but not pencil.

Step 2: Sign Your Will

The second step is to sign your Will where indicated with your usual signature. You must sign your Will in the presence of both witnesses before they sign it.

Step 3: Witnesses Sign

In the third step, the witnesses both sign your Will where indicated (below your signature) with their usual signatures. The witnesses should fill in their full names, addresses and occupations below their signatures.

Step 4: Date the Will

The fourth step is to immediately write the date on which you have signed it in the spaces provided on the front and back pages of the Will.

Step 5: Return Will

The fifth and final step is to return your signed Will to your Barr Ellison lawyer by tracked delivery. Please ensure that the Will is kept unmarked and, in particular, that nothing is attached to it. For example, do not attach a covering letter to the Will with a paperclip, staple or otherwise.

Thank you for being a client of Barr Ellison Solicitors.

By Francis Durrant, Head of the Wills, Trusts & Estates team at Cambridge solicitors Barr Ellison