How do you find a will?
Last reviewed October 2026
Start with the person's papers at home, then contact any solicitor, bank or will-writing firm they used, since wills are often stored there. A paid search of a will register, such as Certainty, the National Will Register, checks whether a will was registered and where it is held. If probate has already been granted in England or Wales, you can order a copy of the will through the GOV.UK probate search service. There is no single compulsory register of wills in England and Wales, so a few checks are usually needed.
Where to look, in order
Work outwards from home.
- Desk, filing boxes and safes at home
- The solicitor who handled their house purchase or past wills
- Their bank, which may hold a safe custody item
- A will register search, such as Certainty
- The Principal Probate Registry, which stores some wills deposited in life
If you cannot find one
If no will turns up after reasonable searches, the estate passes under the intestacy rules.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a free way to find a will?
Checking home, their solicitor and bank costs nothing. Will register searches charge a fee. After a grant, copies of the will are available through GOV.UK for a small fee.
Are wills public in the UK?
Once probate is granted in England and Wales, the will becomes a public document. Before that it is private.
What if I only find a copy?
The original is normally needed for probate. If only a copy exists, take advice, as the registry may need extra evidence.
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