Returning a will

If your will is held by a district court, you can ask for it back. You can do this in person or send us a signed letter. Check your local district court’s hours of business.

Please note that a returned will can still be used when you die if there are original copies or copies of it. To prevent this, you must either destroy the will or cross out all of its pages. You have to do the same with any copies. You can also revoke a will by writing a new will. You must state in this that you are revoking the previous will.

What does it cost to get your will returned?

It is free of charge to get your will returned. 

What to do if you want your will returned?

If you meet in person, you must present:

  • a copy of your valid ID document containing signature and photo

If you send the court a letter asking for your will back, you must enclose:

  • a copy of your valid ID document containing photo and signature
  • a signed covering letter where you state that you want your will to be returned

What to do if you want a mutual will returned?

If both cannot attend the delivery, the person appearing in the district court must bring

  • a copy of both parties' valid ID with photo and signature
  • a signed power of attorney from the person who does not attend

If you request extradition by post, please send

  • a copy of both parties' valid photo ID and signature
  • a signed letter requesting delivery of the will

Returning a will to someone acting on your behalf

If you are not able to retrieve the will on your own, you may have someone else do it for you. Please note that an appointed legal guardian cannot retrieve a will or receive a copy of it.

If someone else is retrieving the will for you, read the instructions below.

Requirements for lawyers acting on your behalf

Lawyers retrieving a will on a client's behalf must enclose:

  • a covering letter where the lawyer states that the retrieving of the will is on the client's behalf
  • a power of attorney from the testator that gives the lawyer the right to retrieve the will
  • a copy of the testator's valid ID document containing photo and signature

Requirements for private individuals acting on your behalf

If you want someone else to retrieve your will, that person must enclose:

  • a written power of attorney from you, stating that the person is allowed to retrieve the will on your behalf
  • a copy of your valid ID document containing photo and signature
  • a copy of that person's ID document containing photo and signature