Georgia Will Signing Day Kit: Georgia's Witness and Notary Rules, Signing-Day Checklist, Witness Sheet and Original-Will Record

Who it is for

Anyone signing a will in Georgia, and the family member, friend or office helping set up the signing. Who can make a will, per the official page: 14 or older, per the state aging division's brochure (revised 2016).

Not the right fit if

The person signing isn't in Georgia, you still need the will written (that's a lawyer's job), or someone may contest it. Not a will form or a legal service.

Why it is different

• Built only from our Georgia will signing data file, checked November 2026 against Write a Will (Georgia.gov); Do I Need a Will? (Georgia Division of Aging Services, rev. August 2016); Nolo (secondary source): How to Make a Will in Georgia (Nolo, updated September 2025).
• All 7 Georgia facts are confirmed: on an official page, or where none could be read, on a vetted secondary source marked as such.
• Also from the file: The state's page says a will doesn't have to be notarized or filed with the probate court in advance. After a death, whoever has the will must file it with the probate court.
• For the estate side in Georgia, the Georgia Executor and Estate Kit: A bank may pay not more than $15,000 of an intestate depositor's funds to the family on the statutory affidavit, without administration. The probate court's 'no administration necessary' order has no dollar limit. Real estate goes through the probate court's order declaring no administration necessary, a copy of which is recorded in the deed records where the property is (Nolo's summary).

What is inside

• Start here. The 7 confirmed Georgia facts at a glance.
• Georgia signing-day checklist. Bring 2 witnesses. The rule: Two witnesses, who watch the signing and also sign. The state's page says they shouldn't be beneficiaries. Pick witnesses who get nothing under the will and aren't married to someone who does. If a beneficiary would have to witness, stop and call the lawyer first: A beneficiary who witnesses could lose the gift (Nolo, citing O.C.G.A. 53-4-23). The statute we read doesn't say who takes the affidavit. Ask the lawyer whether to have a notary there. Allowed. The state aging division's brochure describes a self-proving affidavit that can remove the need for witness testimony at probate; it doesn't say who takes it. The rule here: A beneficiary who witnesses could lose the gift (Nolo, citing O.C.G.A. 53-4-23). The testator signs (or acknowledges the signature) while the witnesses watch, then each witness signs.
• Witness information sheet. One block per Georgia witness (2 required, plus a spare).
• Original-will storage and location record. Where the original is and who has copies. Handwritten wills in Georgia: Not recognized unless witnessed: Georgia.gov (updated June 2026) says a will must be signed in front of two witnesses, who also sign. It doesn't describe any handwritten-will exception.
• Georgia will signing tracker (Excel). Steps, ID, copies and review dates. Remote witnessing in Georgia: Not provided for: no Georgia law we found lets witnesses appear by video, and e-wills aren't authorized (Nolo's Georgia page, updated September 2025). Georgia.gov says the will is signed in the presence of two witnesses. Electronic wills: Not authorized, per Nolo's Georgia page (updated September 2025).