A guide to registering wills
Read our extensive guide on whether a will has to be registered
Read our extensive guide on whether a will has to be registered
In the UK alone, more than half of the people have written a will, including 69% of those aged 55 or older. Over 10.5 million wills are registered with the National Will Register, which is used by many legal services and will providers, while many other will registering services are available.
But do you need to register a will in the UK? What are the benefits? How much does it cost? Our guide answers all your questions about registering wills.
You don't have to register your will by law, but it's a good idea. Some lawyers might recommend it because it makes the will easier to find for executors. When the will is registered, the solicitors storing it are notified that someone is looking for it, and they then contact the executors.
This can make the probate process faster and easier when you pass away, preventing relatives from the lengthy process of contacting local solicitors to check if they’re storing the will. It’s worth noting that you can also avoid this at no cost by letting your executors or loved ones know where your will is stored.
There are many reasons to register your will:
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Registering a will is easy and quick. First, write a valid will that explains how you want to distribute your estate after you pass away. Then, use the National Will Register, the UK's primary will registration and search service. Follow these steps:
1. Testator details: Fill in the testator's full name, address, date of birth and contact details.
2. Will details: Enter the date of the will and confirm if it's held with your solicitor. If it is, provide the solicitor's name.
3. Your details: Confirm your details and whether you are the testator.
4. Payment and registration: Submit your payment details and complete the registration. You'll receive the Certificate of Registration via email.
You can do this yourself or ask your solicitor or will writing service to help. It's a good idea to print the Certificate of Registration and keep it with your important documents.
Registering a will with the National Will Register costs £30. After you've registered, you won't need to pay again unless you destroy the will and create a new one.
Whether you have questions about wills and estate planning or just want to find out more, the expert team are on hand to help.
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Learn everything you need to know about the different types of Will bequests in our complete guide.
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