Information is available in leaflet PA7 How to deposit a will with the Probate Service

How do I lodge my will for safe keeping?

It is important that you read this section through carefully. The procedures must be correctly followed and all details requested must be provided otherwise it may not be possible to accept your will for safe keeping.

Your will can be deposited either by you or by someone else on your behalf.

The fee for depositing a will or codicil at First Avenue House is £20.00. If you deposit your will and codicil at the same time together in the same envelope the fee is still £20.00, cheque payable to HM Courts & Tribunals Service.

Please read the following section as it gives full details of how to lodge your will for safe keeping.

Although the term 'will' is used throughout the following sections, the same procedure applies if you are depositing a will and/or a codicil.

Will brought in by you in person

Take your will to the Probate Registry of your choice (check opening times beforehand). They will hand you an envelope to complete You must complete all the details requested on the envelope i.e:

• The document(s) being deposited
• The date of your will
• Your full name
• Your full address
• The full names and addresses of your executors
• Your exact date of birth.

In the presence of an officer of the Probate Registry seal your will inside the envelope and sign the envelope at the appropriate place. The Probate Officer will then sign the envelope. You will then be asked to pay the £20.00 fee for depositing your will.

The Probate Officer will take the will from you. It will thereafter be kept at the Principal Registry of the Family Division for safe keeping. You will either be issued with a certificate of deposit straight away or your certificate of deposit will be sent to you within two weeks.

Will sent in by you by post

Obtain the safe custody will envelope pack from either a District Probate Registry, Probate Sub-Registry or the Record Keeper's Dept (Tel: 020 7947 7022). You must complete all the details requested on the envelope i.e:

• The document(s) being deposited
• The date of your will
• Your full name
• Your full address
• The full names and addresses of your executors
• Your exact date of birth

Seal your will inside the envelope and in the presence of a witness sign the envelope at the appropriate place. Your witness must also sign the envelope and print his/her name and address

Send your will (by registered or recorded post) with a signed letter requesting that your will be lodged at First Avenue House and enclose the £20.00 fee to:

Record Keeper's Department
PRFD
First Avenue House
42 - 49 High Holborn
London WC1V 6NP

Wills sent in by post can only be accepted at the above address.

If all the details are correct you will be sent a certificate of deposit within two weeks. If you do not provide all the details requested your will cannot be lodged. We will need to contact you to request those details.

Failure to provide those details may mean that your will is returned to you.

A pre-printed form requesting that the will be deposited at First Avenue House is enclosed with all safe custody packs sent from the Record Keeper's Department. This form if signed and returned is acceptable in place of a letter.

Will brought in by someone else for you

Obtain the safe custody will envelope pack from either a District Probate Registry, Probate Sub-Registry or the Record Keeper's Dept (Tel: 020 7947 7022)

You must complete all the details requested on the envelope i.e.

• The document(s) being deposited
• The date of your will
• Your full name
• Your full address
• The full names and addresses of your executors
• Your exact date of birth

Seal your will inside the envelope and in the presence of a witness sign the envelope at the appropriate place. Your witness must also sign the envelope, and print his/her name and address.

Your agent must take your will to the Probate Registry of your choice (check opening times beforehand), with a letter of authority signed by you permitting your agent to deposit your will at First Avenue House (e.g. I John James Smith authorise Allen John Ford to deposit this my will at First Avenue House for safe keeping on my behalf) and pay the £20.00 deposit fee. If all the details are provided as requested you will receive a certificate of deposit through the post within two weeks. Your agent will also receive a photocopy of that certificate. Your will shall be kept at the Principal Registry of the Family Division for safe keeping.

Will sent in by someone else for you

Obtain the safe custody will envelope pack from either a District Probate Registry, Probate Sub-Registry or the Record Keeper's Dept
(Tel: 020 7947 7022)
(Textphone 18001 020 7947 7389)

You must complete all the details requested on the envelope i.e

• The document(s) being deposited
• The date of your will
• Your full name
• Your full address
• The full names and addresses of your executors
• Your exact date of birth

Seal your will inside the envelope and in the presence of a witness sign the envelope at the appropriate place. Your witness must also sign the envelope, and print his/her name and address

Your agent must send your will (by registered or recorded post) with a letter of authority signed by you permitting your agent to deposit your will at First Avenue House (e.g. I John James Smith authorise Allen John Ford to deposit this my will at First Avenue House for safe keeping on my behalf) and enclose the £20.00 fee to:

Records Keepers Department
PRFD
First Avenue House
42 - 49 High Holborn
London
WC1V 6NP

Wills sent in by post can only be accepted at the above address.

If all the details are correct you will be sent a certificate of deposit within two weeks. Your agent (if applicable) will also receive a photocopy of that certificate. If you do not provide all the details requested we will be unable to lodge your will for safekeeping. We will need to contact you to request those details. Failure to provide those details may mean that your will is returned to you by the Principal Registry of the Family Division.

Are there any regulations covering the deposit of wills with the High Court?

Yes. Please bear in mind that all wills are deposited with the High Court pursuant to Section 126 of the Senior Courts Act 1981, and once deposited fall under the control and direction of the High Court. If you do choose to lodge your will with the High Court, it will become subject to the rules set by the President of the Family Division and agreed with the Lord Chancellor.

If you wish to find out more about the rules governing the safe custody of wills in the High Court, details can be found in Tristram and Cootes Probate Practice 30th Edition - Section - Wills of Living Persons which should be available in your local reference library.

Where will my will be stored?

Your will would be deposited with the High Court and stored at:

Records Keepers Department
Principal Registry of the Family Division
First Avenue House
42-49, High Holborn
London
WC1V 6NP
Tel: 020 7947 7022

What documents can I deposit for safe keeping?

You can deposit either:

• A will
• A codicil ( a testamentary document modifying a will)
• Or both together