A guide to registering wills

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.

Does a will have to be registered?

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.

Why register a will?

There are many reasons to register your will:

• Easy to find: Registering your will can makes it easier for your executors to locate it after you pass away and carry out their responsibilities. If it’s not registered, they might not know where it is unless you’ve told them. Sometimes, people create multiple wills over the years and might not register the latest one or register it with a different service. To avoid confusion, tell your executor where your latest will is or give them a copy.
• Accurate distribution: It reduces the chances of your will being lost, ensuring your estate is distributed according to your wishes. This helps avoid your estate being divided by intestacy rules, which might not match your preferences.
• Final will assurance: It ensures that your most recent will is used, preventing any old versions from being mistakenly followed, as long as the will maker continues to register the latest version. This also protects your executors, as if a new version is found after distributing the estate according to an old will, they can be held personally liable. Again, this can also be solved by telling your executors where your will is stored or by providing them with a copy.
• Prevents fraud: Registering your will makes it harder for someone to hide the newest version and use an old one to their advantage. This ensures your assets are distributed according to your final wishes.

How to register a will

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.

How much does it cost to register a will?

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.