Before Death
While the Testator (person who's Will it is) is alive, only
he or she or their authorised representative can search the
Wills Register.
You will need to supply at least three forms of identification
from the categories below with
your application.
After Death
Any person can search the Wills Register as long as the death
can be established.
If the Testator dies in New South Wales, the applicant must
provide the Registry with the date of death.
It the Testator dies outside of New South Wales, the applicant
must provide the Registry with a copy of the Death
Certificate, a Cause of Death Medical Certificate or a Coroner's
order.
If a search identifies that a solicitor or other professional
body holds the Will, the details will be released to the person
requesting the search.
If the search identifies that the Will is being stored other
than with a solicitor, the person requesting the search will
need to provide the Registry with at least three forms of
identification before the information is released. See the
Identification List below.
Identification List
Please provide at least three (3) forms of identification, one of each from Categories 1, 2 and 3. If you are unable to provide identification from Categories 1 and 2, you must still provide at least three (3) forms of identification. At least two (2) of these must be from Category 3.
Category 1 |
Category 3 |
If born in Australia:
- An Australian Birth Certificate
Record of immigration status:
- Citizenship Certificate
- New Zealand Citizenship Certificate together with passport
- New Zealand Birth Certificate
|
- Medicare Card
- Credit or Debit Card
- Centrelink or Department of Veterans Affairs Card
- Security/Crowd Control Licence
- Tertiary Education Institution ID Card
|
Category 2 |
Category 4 |
- Australian Driver's Licence
- Australian Passport
- Firearms Licence
- Foreign Passport
|
- Recent utility account with current residential address
- Bank statement with current residential address
|
All documents, except foreign passports, must be current.
Photocopies are accepted.
If the death has been registered in NSW, then the search
can be conducted.
If the Registry finds that the death has not been registered
in NSW, the searcher will need to provide proof of death,
such as:
- Death Certificate
- Cause of Death Medical Certificate
- Coroner's Order
This will prove entitlement to search.
Please note that it is
important to keep your Wills Register details up-to-date.
If your details change relating to information collected on
the Wills Register, you must register your Will with us again.
Changes cannot be made to an existing registration.
Searchers will be provided with all registrations under the
specified name.
To conduct a search on the Wills Register, you must put your request in writing to:
NSW Registry of Births Deaths & Marriages
GPO Box 894
WOLLONGONG EAST NSW 2520
Ensure you include all details of the Will you wish to search.
Cost and Delivery
A fee will not apply unless there is a result.
- If there is no result, a fee does not apply
- If there is a result, a $44.00 fee will apply
The Registry will notify you if there is a result and request the $44.00 fee before the search result can be released. (This includes $6.00 (inc GST) postage and handling fee.)
Please telephone the Registry on 1300 655 236 for further details.
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