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Wills

Lodgement of new registrations into the Registry's Wills Register has been discontinued, effective January 2013. The Wills Register will be closed in late 2013.

Searches relating to wills previously listed on the register may still be conducted. Further advice will be made available later in 2013.

Access to the Wills Register

While you are alive, only you or your authorised representative can access details of your will from the Wills Register.

An authorised representative may be your solicitor or the Executor to your estate.

The Registry cannot divulge any personal information regarding the contents of the will as it only records the location at which it is held.

Searching the Wills Register

Before Death

While the Testator (person whose will it is) is alive, only they 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 NSW, the applicant must provide the Registry with the date of death .

It the Testator dies outside of NSW, 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:

  • Australian birth certificate

Record of immigration:

  • 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 Licence
  • Australian Passport
  • Firearms Licence
  • Foreign passport
  • Recent utility account with current residential address


All documents except foreign passports must be current.

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 must provide proof of death, to show entitlement to search. eg,

  • Death Certificate
  • Cause of Death Medical Certificate
  • Coroner's Order

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 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 standard certificate fee will apply (see our current fees)

The Registry will notify you if there is a result and request the fee (includes postage and handling) before the search result can be released .

For further details, phone the Registry on 1300 655 236.

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