B.C. Becomes First Canadian Province to Allow Electronic Signing of Wills

Key Takeaways

• British Columbia is the first Canadian province to allow electronic signatures on Wills under the amended Wills, Estates and Succession Act.
• The process of creating a Will remains largely unchanged, but the creator of the will and the witnesses can now attend the session virtually and sign digitally.
• Currently, only residents of British Columbia can electronically sign Wills, as other provinces like Alberta and Ontario allow virtual witnessing but require paper signatures.
• NotaryPro offers Canada’s first online signing service for Wills.
• Enjoy flexible appointment times and convenient Will signing services across British Columbia, Ontario, Alberta, and other parts of Canada.

The government of BC introduced Bill 21 which was passed on December 1st, 2021, which amends the current Wills, Estates and Succession Act to allow for digital (electronic) signatures on Wills. As of the bill’s passing, British Columbia is the only Province in Canada to allow the digital signing of Wills.

What does this mean when I create my Will in B.C.? 

The process of creating your Will will not significantly change. You are free to use either a lawyer or online estate and Wills platform to create your Will. However, instead of signing your Will the old fashion way (pen and paper), the government of BC now permits a will-maker and their witnesses to the will to be digitally present (rather than physically) to electronically sign a digital version of their will. 

Do I need to be in BC to electronically sign my Will? 

At this time, only residents of B.C. will be permitted to electronically sign their Wills, such as through NotaryPro’s Remote Online Notary service. Other provinces, such as Alberta and Ontario, have permitted a hybrid version of signing a Will called Virtual Witnessing (also offered by NotaryPro), where all parties are present virtually, but each individual needs to sign a paper-based copy.

Do you need a Will?

NotaryPro has partnered with industry-leading Wills and estate planning platforms to help you easily create your Will. Visit our partnership page and check out our preferred estate partners.

Can I e-sign my Will with NotaryPro?

Yes. NotaryPro is proud to offer Canada’s first fully online electronic Will signing solution via our popular Remote Online Notary signing service.

Ready to notarize your documents or witness your Will?

Ready to Notary Pro’s mission is to make notarizing easy, convenient, and secure. With our simple online booking platform and flexible times that fit your schedule, we have many locations throughout British Columbia, Ontario, Alberta and Canada. Book your in-person appointment or notarize your document remotely by visiting us online. Discover how notarizing should be!