District of Columbia e-signature and notarization law

The District of Columbia's electronic signature law: the Uniform Electronic Transactions chapter of the D.C. Code (D.C. Code §§ 28-4901 et seq.). Electronic signatures are also valid under the federal ESIGN Act for most transactions. Some documents are excluded, such as wills, divorce and adoption documents, court orders and certain official notices.

The fuller federal list is in our guide to e-signing in the United States.

What the District of Columbia's e-signature law does not cover

The D.C. Code notes that its scope section is based on § 3 of the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (1999 Act). Under D.C. Code § 28-4902(b), the chapter does not apply to a transaction governed by:

• The rules for creating and executing a will, a codicil or a testamentary trust.
• Subtitle I of title 28, the District's Uniform Commercial Code, except §§ 28:1-107 and 28:1-206 and Articles 2 and 2A.

Remote online notarization in the District of Columbia

Remote online notarization: allowed in the District of Columbia since September 21, 2022.

D.C. Code § 1-1231.13a says a notary public located in the District may use communication technology to perform a notarial act for a remotely located individual. The technology must let the notary and the individual communicate with each other simultaneously by sight and sound.

Before the first such act, the notary must notify the Mayor that the notary will be performing notarial acts for remotely located individuals, and identify the technologies the notary intends to use. In the District this is a notice to the Mayor, not a separate commission.

The section was added on September 21, 2022 by D.C. Law 24-178.

SignAndGo doesn't notarize documents. A commissioned notary does that, using a remote notarization platform where the state allows it.

Where to read the District of Columbia's law

• Electronic signatures: D.C. Code §§ 28-4901 et seq. (title 28, chapter 49, Uniform Electronic Transactions), exclusions at § 28-4902(b).
• Remote notarization: D.C. Code § 1-1231.13a, added by D.C. Law 24-178.

Checked against the District of Columbia's published law on November 2, 2026. This is general information, not legal advice.