Are Online & Electronic Wills Legal in British Columbia?

If you've read that Canada doesn't allow electronic wills, that advice is out of date — at least in British Columbia. B.C. became the first province to formally recognize fully electronic wills, effective December 1, 2021. That puts it well ahead of Ontario, Alberta, and everywhere else.

Three terms, three meanings

• Online will — drafted on a website, then printed and signed on paper. Valid across Canada, including B.C.
• Electronic will — created, signed, and stored entirely in digital form. Valid in B.C., uniquely.
• Digital will — a loose umbrella for both.

How electronic wills work in B.C.

Under amendments to the Wills, Estates and Succession Act, a will in B.C. can be in electronic form, signed with an electronic signature, and witnessed by two people who may be present by video link rather than in the same room. The electronic document, once properly signed and witnessed, is the will — no printing required. This was introduced during the pandemic and made permanent.

The practical cautions

Electronic wills are legal, but newer, so handle them carefully. Storage and authenticity matter: you need to be sure the version admitted to probate is the final, unaltered one, and that earlier drafts can't be mistaken for it. Deleting an electronic will (or an act showing intent to revoke it) can revoke it, so version control is real. Many British Columbians still choose a printed, witnessed will for certainty, even though the electronic route is open.

If you prefer paper

A printed online will is equally valid: generate it on a B.C.-ready platform, then sign it before two witnesses. Store the signed original where your executor can find it.

Frequently asked questions

Can I sign my will electronically in British Columbia? Yes. B.C. allows electronic signatures and remote video witnessing for wills. Is an online will legal in British Columbia? Yes — both printed online wills and fully electronic wills are recognized. Where should I store my will in British Columbia? Keep the signed original (paper or the authoritative electronic file) secure and accessible; consider filing a wills notice with the Vital Statistics Agency. Is a will made on a website valid in British Columbia? Yes, once properly signed and witnessed — and B.C. uniquely allows the electronic version to stand without printing.

Not legal advice. General information about British Columbia law as of 2026; electronic-will practice is still maturing. Confirm with a B.C. estate lawyer or notary.