The U.S. Will Registry Logo
The U.S. Will Registry Logo

Find a Missing Will

The U.S. Will Registry is the nation's only nationwide registry for locating missing wills. Search our secure national database to identify where a will is stored, the attorney who prepared it, or both. Most searches finish in under two minutes.

Estate attorneys and individuals have registered wills with The U.S. Will Registry since 1997, helping families locate them when needed.

Search for will from the United States
No documents required to begin
Most searches completed within minutes
Secure, confidential national database
Start Your Will Search Now
Search the National Will Registry and find peace of mind in minutes.

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National Will Registry

Find Peace of Mind in Minutes

Searching for a missing will doesn't have to be stressful. With our secure national database, you can locate a will quickly and privately.

What's Included with Every Search

  • Registered Will Information

    A will registration identifies where the original is stored, the attorney who prepared it, and/or where a duplicate copy may be available.

  • Step-by-Step Next Actions

    Know how to proceed to help move the estate settlement process forward.

  • Relationship-Based Guidance

    Receive information tailored for spouses, children, parents, siblings, executors, attorneys, relatives and friends.

  • Understand Your Potential Legal Rights

    Learn about your potential inheritance rights and estate settlement options.

  • Probate and Estate Settlement Resources

    Access trusted information to help you navigate probate with confidence.

One-Time Search Fee$19.95

No recurring fees.

Up to 3 Searches Included

Your one-time payment covers up to 3 searches, allowing for name variations or misspellings.

Fast Results — Most searches are completed in under 2 minutes.

SecureConfidentialTrusted Since 1997

What Others Are Saying

We weren't sure which attorney handled my father's will. After using The U.S. Will Registry, we quickly found where it was kept. The process was simple and gave us immediate clarity.
— M. Carter, Illinois
When my aunt passed, we didn't even know if a will existed. The U.S. Will Registry allowed us to search online and receive answers within minutes. It made a difficult time much easier for our family.
— L. Ramirez, Texas
We had no idea where to begin our search. The Guided Will Search walked us through each step and helped us understand exactly what to do next. It was extremely helpful and gave us direction when we needed it most.
— D. Hoffman, California

How to Search for a Will Using The U.S. Will Registry

  1. Start Your Search:
    • To begin, enter the Name, Birthdate, Deathdate, City and State of Residence of the deceased into the registry's search form.
    • This search will look through our national database, which contains information on where each Will is stored.
  2. Review Search Results:
    • When a registration is found, the registry will provide you with the details of where the will is located.
    • This could include the attorney, a family member, a financial institution, a home safe, or a secure online storage platform.
  3. Once Registration Is Found:
    • Only individuals listed in the registration, as authorized by the will holder, will be granted access to the Will's location.
    • To confirm your eligibility, you will need to provide a Death Certificate and a Photo ID.
  4. Access the Will:
    • Once your identity is verified, the custodian of the Will (whether an attorney, family member, institution or online Will site) will provide you with access to the Will.

By following these simple steps, you can efficiently locate a missing Will and access the necessary documents.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Your search includes a free personalized guide based on your relationship to the deceased. It explains the steps attorneys commonly recommend when settling an estate, helping you understand what to do next. Since most people have never settled an estate before, the guide provides clear direction for moving forward with greater confidence.

In general, family members, executors, beneficiaries, attorneys, and personal representatives may search for a deceased person’s will. They may check personal records, contact the drafting attorney, search probate court records, or use The U.S. Will Registry to determine whether the will was registered and where it may be stored.

To begin a will search, you should have the deceased person's full name, date of birth, date of death, and last known city and state of residence. This information helps ensure the most accurate search results, and no additional documents are required to start your search.

Yes. You can search for a will online by checking probate court records, contacting the attorney who prepared the will, searching the deceased person's personal records, or using a nationwide will registry such as The U.S. Will Registry to determine whether a will was registered and identify where it may be stored or which attorney may have prepared it.

A will search can take anywhere from a few minutes to several weeks, depending on how the search is conducted. Searches through The U.S. Will Registry are typically completed in less than two minutes, while searches involving probate courts, attorneys, financial institutions, or personal records may take considerably longer.

If a matching registration is found, The U.S. Will Registry identifies where the will is stored or which attorney may have prepared it. To protect the privacy of the deceased, the will's location is released only to authorized individuals after a death certificate and valid photo identification have been verified.
Information When a Registration Is Not Found
Next Steps if No Registration Is Located

If a will registration is not located in our database, your search doesn't end there. We automatically notify participating attorneys that someone is searching for a will matching the information you provided. In addition, you'll receive personalized guidance based on your relationship to the deceased, including recommended next steps, probate information, and resources to help you move forward with confidence.

*It is important to note that our database relies on the proactive registration of Wills by either the attorney or the Will holder. Despite the vast number of Wills stored internationally, registration ultimately depends on these key factors.
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