The Declaration of Independence was written primarily by Thomas Jefferson in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Jefferson wrote the original draft while staying in a house at 700 Market Street in Philadelphia, now called the Declaration House, near Independence Hall. The final document was adopted by the Second Continental Congress at the Pennsylvania State House (now Independence Hall) in Philadelphia on July 4, 1776. The engrossed copy was signed there starting August 2, 1776.

Location where it was written

• Thomas Jefferson composed the draft in Philadelphia at the Declaration House, a rented residence close to Independence Hall.

Location where it was adopted and signed

• The Declaration was adopted and signed in Philadelphia at the Pennsylvania State House, later renamed Independence Hall.
• The signing began on August 2, 1776, with John Hancock first to sign as President of the Congress.

This means the Declaration was both written and signed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, primarily at or near Independence Hall and the nearby house used by Jefferson for drafting the document.