Are Online Wills Legal in the UK? (2026)
Yes — an online will is fully legally valid in England and Wales, provided it is correctly signed and witnessed. The medium of drafting does not matter: whether you use an online service, a word processor, or handwrite it, what makes a will valid is meeting the four requirements of section 9 of the Wills Act 1837 — not how it was written.
This guide covers the current law in England and Wales only. Different rules apply in Scotland (Succession (Scotland) Act 1964) and Northern Ireland.
What makes a will legally valid? (the four requirements under s.9 Wills Act 1837)
Under English and Welsh law a will is valid when:
- 1It is in writing — printed or handwritten; there is no requirement for it to be on special paper.
- 2The person making it (the testator) is aged 18 or over and has testamentary capacity (understands what they own, who should benefit, and what the will does).
- 3The testator signs the will — or directs someone to sign in their presence if they cannot sign themselves.
- 4Two independent witnesses sign in the presence of the testator and each other — both present at the same time. They must not be beneficiaries under the will, or the spouse/civil partner of a beneficiary.
An online will service like WillSafe UK produces a document that, once signed and witnessed correctly, satisfies all four requirements. See our complete guide to writing your own will for the full step-by-step process.
Electronic wills — what the Law Commission says
The Law Commission published its report Making a Will on 16 May 2025, recommending that fully electronic wills (signed and witnessed electronically without printing) be permitted under a future statute. As of 13 June 2026, no formal government response to this recommendation has been published.
Current position: an electronic-only will — signed and witnessed entirely online, never printed and physically signed — remains invalid in England and Wales under the Wills Act 1837 as it currently stands.
In practice: an online will service that produces a document you print, sign, and have witnessed physically is valid today. A service that asks you to sign a PDF on-screen and never print it is not yet valid.
Who cannot be a witness?
A beneficiary (someone who inherits under the will) may not witness it. If they do, the gift to that beneficiary is void under s.15 Wills Act 1837, though the rest of the will remains valid. Spouses and civil partners of beneficiaries are also excluded.
Good witnesses: a neighbour, colleague, friend, or healthcare professional with no interest in the estate.
Frequently asked questions
Are online wills valid in UK law in 2026?+
Yes — provided the will meets the s.9 Wills Act 1837 formalities: in writing, signed by the testator, and witnessed simultaneously by two independent adults who also sign. The method of drafting (online kit, app, word processor) is irrelevant. Physical signing and witnessing are still required.
Can I write a will online without a solicitor?+
Yes. Will-writing is not a reserved legal activity under the Legal Services Act 2007. A DIY will kit from WillSafe UK costs from £39.99 and produces a document that is just as legally valid as a solicitor-drafted will for straightforward estates.
What if I sign my will electronically?+
Wills must currently be physically (ink) signed. Electronic signatures on wills are not valid under the Wills Act 1837 as it stands in June 2026. The Law Commission has recommended change; the law has not yet changed.
Does a will need to be witnessed by a solicitor?+
No. Any two independent adults aged 18+ who are not beneficiaries can witness a will. A solicitor witness is not required.
Is a will made with an online service as valid as a solicitor's will?+
Yes — if executed correctly. The legal requirements are the same. WillSafe UK templates are drafted to comply with the Wills Act 1837. Complexity is the deciding factor: for straightforward estates, a well-made kit is legally equivalent.
Can I make a will on my phone or tablet?+
You can use any device to complete the template. However, the final will must be printed and physically signed in front of two witnesses. A digital-only document does not currently satisfy the Wills Act 1837 requirements.
Make your legally valid will today
Every WillSafe UK kit includes a Wills Act 1837-compliant template, completing guide, and signing-ceremony checklist. Most people finish in an afternoon. Prices start at £39.99.
Single Will Kit
One complete will template with full completing guide and signing checklist.
Buy for £39.99All kits are designed for England & Wales. Instant download. 30-day money-back guarantee.
Related guides
WillSafe UK is not a firm of solicitors and this guide is not legal advice. It is plain-English educational content. If your estate is complex — blended family, business assets, foreign property, disputes — consult a solicitor.