Does a Small Estate Affidavit Need a Notary in Washington?

Signed under oath.

The affidavit is signed under oath; a notary can give the oath. The successor also gives written notice to the other successors at least 10 days before filing the affidavit.

In the source's wording

"signed under oath"

From the sources listed below, checked November 2026.

What else the signing needs

Value limit: Personal property up to $100,000, less liens and encumbrances, not counting the surviving spouse's or domestic partner's community property interest. The affidavit covers personal property, not real estate.
"does not exceed one hundred thousand dollars"
Waiting period: Forty days after the death.
"At any time after forty days from the date of a decedent's death"
Where it goes: Given with proof of death to whoever holds the property; a copy with the person's Social Security number is mailed to the state's Office of Financial Recovery.
Official form: No official form. RCW 11.62.010 prescribes no form; subsection (2) lists what the affidavit must state.
Other simplified route: Nonintervention administration. A personal representative granted nonintervention powers can administer a solvent estate without the court's supervision; no dollar limit applies.
Surviving spouse: The surviving spouse's or domestic partner's community property interest isn't counted toward the limit.
"not including the surviving spouse's or surviving domestic partner's community property interest"

Next step

Sign by video with our New Jersey notary while you're in Washington, 7 AM to 9 PM Eastern, seven days a week, by appointment. New Jersey law lets a New Jersey notary notarize for a signer located in another state (N.J.S.A. 52:7-10.10). How Washington treats it: Washington gives a notarial act performed in another state the same effect as if a Washington notarial officer performed it, and the out-of-state officer's signature and title conclusively establish their authority (2017). More on Washington signers.

Handling an estate from far away? Estate paperwork help near where the estate is.

Ask the bank, holder or court that will receive the affidavit whether it accepts an electronically notarized one.

Notarize it online ($50 per session) Request a mobile notary in Washington

Booking sends a request; we confirm the time and the price before you pay.

In person, we look for a notary commissioned in Washington near you; you approve the price first.

If a local notary in Washington does it: Most notarial acts, including witnessing a signature, an oath and certifying a copy (up to), $15, under the state's fee rules (Washington notary fees).

Get it notarized online today

Online notary: open now until 9 PM ET · sessions by appointment · times confirmed by email

A New Jersey notary can notarize this with you on a video call, wherever you are in the U.S. $50 for the session, $10 for each extra signer. Any other fee shows in the booking form before you confirm. Open 7 am to 9 pm ET, every day, by appointment.

What you need

A valid government photo ID
A computer or phone with a camera
The unsigned document

Book an online session

Our certificate states the act was performed using communication technology, as New Jersey law requires. What it must say

Most U.S. recipients accept a remotely notarized document; check with whoever will receive it. What to ask them · Several signers

Sources

RCW 11.62.010, Small estate affidavit (Washington State Legislature) (checked November 2026)
Nolo (secondary source): Probate Shortcuts in Washington (Nolo, updated 7/19/2022) (checked November 2026)

Sourced from official pages; a few facts from vetted secondary sources, marked "(secondary source)".

We are not lawyers, and this is general information, not legal advice. Checked November 2026. Rules change, and whoever receives the document decides what it accepts; we can't guarantee acceptance.

Common questions

Is a notary required for a Washington small estate affidavit?

Signed under oath. The affidavit is signed under oath; a notary can give the oath. The successor also gives written notice to the other successors at least 10 days before filing the affidavit.

What is the small estate limit in Washington?

Personal property up to $100,000, less liens and encumbrances, not counting the surviving spouse's or domestic partner's community property interest. The affidavit covers personal property, not real estate.

How long after a death can the Washington affidavit be used?

Forty days after the death.

Is the Washington affidavit filed with a court?

Given with proof of death to whoever holds the property; a copy with the person's Social Security number is mailed to the state's Office of Financial Recovery.

Can I sign the Washington affidavit with an online notary?

Our New Jersey notary can notarize it by video while you're in Washington. Washington gives a notarial act performed in another state the same effect as if a Washington notarial officer performed it, and the out-of-state officer's signature and title conclusively establish their authority (2017). Ask the bank, holder or court that will receive it whether it accepts an electronically notarized affidavit.

Keep going

A small estate affidavit in another state: Virginia · Wisconsin · every state

Does a small estate affidavit need a notary in Washington?