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FREE TEMPLATE / PERSONAL, FAMILY AND LEGAL

Last Will and Testament (Canada, except Quebec)

A simple will for someone who lives in a Canadian province or territory other than Quebec. It revokes earlier wills, names an executor and trustee and a back-up, a guardian for minor children, particular gifts and who receives the rest, sets a 30 day survival rule and gives the trustee the usual powers. It is signed before two witnesses.

For Canada.

Download the free PDF

This page lists how to sign it in Canada. See how it is signed

First page of the Last Will and Testament (Canada, except Quebec) template
PDF, 3 pages, 15 KB
THE DOCUMENT

What it covers

The template has 8 parts.

  1. Earlier wills
  2. Executor and trustee
  3. Guardian
  4. Particular gifts
  5. The residue of my estate
  6. Surviving me
  7. Powers of my trustee
  8. Signature of the testator
BEFORE YOU START

What you will be asked

Have these details ready. The template needs them before anyone signs.

  • What is your full legal name?
  • In which city or town do you live?
  • In which province or territory do you live?
  • Who should be your executor and trustee, the person who carries out your will? Give their full name and city.
  • Who should act if that person cannot or will not? Give a full name and city, or say none.Optional
  • If you have children under the age of majority, who should care for them if no parent can? Say none if this does not apply.Optional
  • Do you want to leave particular items or sums of money to anyone? Say who gets what, or say none.Optional
  • Who should receive everything else you own, and in what shares? Say who takes a share if someone dies before you.
THE PEOPLE

Who signs

Everyone the template names, and what each one does.

  • Person making the willSigns
  • First witnessWitness
  • Second witnessWitness
SIGNING RULES

How it is signed in Canada

The rules for a last will and testament depend on where it is signed. Laws change, so check the sources before anyone signs.

Canada

Print and sign in ink

Print it and sign it in ink in front of two witnesses, who sign it too.

Steps

  1. Print the will on Letter paper.
  2. Sign it in ink at the end in front of two adult witnesses present together.
  3. Both witnesses sign in your presence.
  4. Keep the original safe and tell your executor where it is.

What the law asks for

E-signature
Not acceptedOutside British Columbia, a will is signed on paper. Provincial electronic commerce laws leave wills out.
Witnesses
TwoTwo adult witnesses present at the same time sign in the testator's presence. A witness or their spouse should not inherit.
Notary
Not needed
Remote signing
Not confirmedSome provinces allow remote witnessing with conditions.
Registration
Not needed
Stamp duty
Not needed

Where the rules differ

Signing rules by province or territory in Canada
Province or territoryHow it is signedE-signatureWitnessesNotaryRegistrationStamp duty
British ColumbiaPrint and sign in inkOnly in some casesTwoOptionalOptionalNot needed

British Columbia allows electronic wills since 1 December 2021, with electronic witnessing rules. Sign prepares a paper will.

OntarioPrint and sign in inkNot acceptedTwoNot neededNot neededNot needed

Ontario allows remote witnessing but not electronic signatures on a will.

QuebecPrint and sign in inkNot acceptedTwoOptionalOptionalNot needed

Quebec recognises notarial wills, holograph wills and wills made in the presence of witnesses.

Sources

Checked 25 October 2026 against these sources.

QUESTIONS

Common questions

Answers from the signing rules on this page.

Can the last will and testament be signed electronically in Canada?

No. An electronic signature is not accepted for it in Canada. Outside British Columbia, a will is signed on paper. Provincial electronic commerce laws leave wills out.

How many witnesses does the last will and testament need in Canada?

Two witnesses. Two adult witnesses present at the same time sign in the testator's presence. A witness or their spouse should not inherit.

Does the last will and testament need a notary in Canada?

No. No notary is needed.

Does the last will and testament need to be registered in Canada?

No. It is not registered.

Is stamp duty due on the last will and testament in Canada?

No stamp duty is due.

Can the last will and testament be signed electronically in British Columbia?

Only in some cases in British Columbia. British Columbia allows electronic wills since 1 December 2021, with electronic witnessing rules. Sign prepares a paper will.

How many witnesses does the last will and testament need in British Columbia?

Two witnesses.

Does the last will and testament need a notary in British Columbia?

No. A notary is optional.

Does the last will and testament need to be registered in British Columbia?

No. Registration is optional.

Is stamp duty due on the last will and testament in British Columbia?

No stamp duty is due.

Can the last will and testament be signed electronically in Ontario?

No. An electronic signature is not accepted for it in Ontario. Ontario allows remote witnessing but not electronic signatures on a will.

How many witnesses does the last will and testament need in Ontario?

Two witnesses.

Does the last will and testament need a notary in Ontario?

No. No notary is needed.

Does the last will and testament need to be registered in Ontario?

No. It is not registered.

Is stamp duty due on the last will and testament in Ontario?

No stamp duty is due.

Can the last will and testament be signed electronically in Quebec?

No. An electronic signature is not accepted for it in Quebec. Quebec recognises notarial wills, holograph wills and wills made in the presence of witnesses.

How many witnesses does the last will and testament need in Quebec?

Two witnesses.

Does the last will and testament need a notary in Quebec?

No. A notary is optional.

Does the last will and testament need to be registered in Quebec?

No. Registration is optional.

Is stamp duty due on the last will and testament in Quebec?

No stamp duty is due.

THE RIGHT TEMPLATE

Where it fits

For the common law provinces and territories. Not for Quebec, where a will must be notarial, holograph or made before witnesses under the Civil Code of Quebec. Trusts beyond a minor's share, a business, property outside Canada or a blended family need a lawyer.

A CAREFUL CHECK

Before you rely on it

Original Centilio wording, not legal advice. A simple will for the common law provinces and territories, made under the local wills law, such as Ontario's Succession Law Reform Act, British Columbia's Wills, Estates and Succession Act or Alberta's Wills and Succession Act. At probate one witness usually swears an affidavit of execution, so choose witnesses who can be found later. A gift to a witness or a witness's spouse can be void. Quebec needs a notarial, holograph or witnessed will under the Civil Code of Quebec and is not covered. Marriage, separation or divorce can change or revoke a will in some provinces and territories, and in Ontario an appointment in a will for the care of a child lasts only 90 days unless the person applies to court. The template does not create trusts beyond a minor's share, use secondary wills to reduce probate fees, deal with property outside Canada, or answer claims by a spouse or dependants under family or dependants' relief law. See a lawyer, or in British Columbia a lawyer or notary public, where any of this applies.