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

Find a Missing Will

Search The U.S. Will Registry to determine whether a will was recorded and identify where it may be stored or which attorney may have prepared it.

Used by families and estate professionals to locate wills and move probate forward with confidence.

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

Start your search today to find the information you need quickly and securely.

Discover how to find a Will with ease. A heartfelt moment as a man and his grandson sow the seeds of legacy. Start your search to find a will today.

Find Peace of Mind in Minutes

Searching for a missing Will should not be stressful. With our secure national database, you can locate a registered Will quickly and privately.

What's Included for just

$19.95

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.

  • Secure Release of Information

    When a registration is found, details are released only after presenting a death certificate and valid ID.

  • Attorney Outreach if Not Found

    If no registration is located, we send an inquiry to attorneys listed in our directory to check if they hold the Will.

  • Personalized Guidance Included with Every Search

    After your search is complete, you'll receive personalized guidance tailored to your relationship to the deceased –including:

    Recommended Next Steps

    Clear direction on what to do after your search.

    Potential Legal Rights

    Understand your possible rights and responsibilities.

Begin Secure Will Search

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 registered 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you believe someone created a will, begin by searching The U.S. Will Registry to determine whether the will was registered and identify where it may be stored or which attorney prepared it. If no registration is found, you can also check the person's personal records, contact their attorney, or determine whether probate has been opened in the county where they lived.

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
Registration Not Found

In the absence of a match, your information goes into a "Missing Will Database" accessible only to attorneys, informing them that loved ones are looking for a lost Will. We understand the importance of this process for you and your loved ones, and we are dedicated to supporting you every step of the way.

*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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