How to Store a Will Safely in England & Wales
Writing a valid will is only half the job. If your executor cannot find the original signed document after you die, your estate may pass under the intestacy rules as though you never made a will at all. Here is how to store your will so it is safe, retrievable, and legally effective.
Why original storage matters so much
Probate courts require the original signed will — not a photocopy, not a scan. If the original cannot be found, English law presumes the testator destroyed it with the intention of revoking it. This is known as the presumption of destruction by the testator, and it means your estate would be distributed under the intestacy rules — regardless of how carefully you drafted your will.
Every year estates are administered incorrectly because a well-intentioned will was stored somewhere inaccessible, lost in a house move, or destroyed in a fire or flood. Getting storage right is the final step of the will-writing process.
Option 1: At home in a fireproof safe
Storing your will at home is the most common approach. The risks — fire, flood, theft — are manageable with the right precautions:
- Use a fireproof and waterproof document safe (rated to BS EN 1047-1 for paper at 60 minutes minimum)
- Give your executor (or a trusted family member) the combination or key location
- Keep a note of where the will is stored in a separate accessible place — for example, in your Household Handover Binder
- Keep a digital scan (PDF) as a reference copy, clearly marked “NOT THE ORIGINAL — for reference only”
The critical failure mode: locking the will so securely that your executor cannot retrieve it without a court order. If the only person who knows the combination dies with you, the will may be practically inaccessible.
Option 2: Deposit with the Probate Registry (National Will Register)
HMCTS operates a will deposit service at the Leeds District Probate Registry. You can deposit your will for a one-time fee (currently £20). The will is kept in secure storage and can be retrieved on application after your death.
The Probate Registry also operates the National Will Register (via Certainty) which records that a will exists and where it is stored — without disclosing the contents. Executors can search the Register after a death for a small fee. Registering your will's existence (even if you store the original elsewhere) makes it far less likely to be lost.
Option 3: Leave it with your solicitor
Most solicitors who draft wills offer to store the original free of charge (or for a small annual fee). This has practical advantages:
- Professional secure storage with insurance
- Probate teams often search solicitor databases when a will cannot be found
- No risk of losing the will in a house move
The downside: if you drafted your own will using a DIY kit, you will need to find a solicitor willing to store it (many will, for a fee). Also consider what happens if the firm closes — check whether they are a member of the Law Society's Wills at Risk scheme.
Option 4: Leave it with your bank
Some high-street banks offer will storage as a service for customers. Charges and terms vary. Be aware that accessing a safe deposit box after death can require a court order if the box is in the deceased's sole name — which creates a catch-22 if the box contains the only evidence of your wishes. Joint access or a separate letter of instruction can resolve this.
Option 5: Digital custody services
Several UK companies now offer digital will custody — you upload a scan, they store the original, and your executor can access it online with a secure code. These services are not regulated by the FCA or the SRA so due diligence on the provider matters. Look for:
- Physical secure storage of the original (not just the digital copy)
- Clear succession plan if the business closes
- GDPR-compliant data handling
- Simple executor access process
What your executor must know
Wherever you store your will, your executor needs to know:
- Where the original is stored — exact location, address, safe number
- How to access it — combination, key location, contact name, account reference
- That it is the most recent version — if you have made a new will or codicil, make clear which document is current
Our Household Handover Binder includes a will location memorandum and a complete inventory of important documents for exactly this purpose.
- ✓Store the original in a fireproof/waterproof location
- ✓Tell your executor (and a backup person) exactly where it is
- ✓Keep a reference copy (clearly marked as a copy)
- ✓Register the will's existence on the National Will Register
- ✓Update storage instructions whenever you update your will
- ✓Include will location in your Household Handover Binder
What if an old will turns up after a new one is signed?
The most recent validly executed will governs the estate. When you make a new will, your previous will should include a revocation clause (“I revoke all previous wills and testamentary dispositions”) — this is standard in our templates. After signing a new will, destroy all copies of old wills by shredding or burning them. Finding multiple versions of a will can delay probate and, in some cases, lead to expensive disputes.
Frequently asked questions
Does a will have to be stored with a solicitor?
No. There is no legal requirement to store your will with a solicitor. You can keep it at home, deposit it with the Probate Registry's National Will Register (for a fee), leave it with a bank, or give it to your executor directly. The key requirement is that your executor can find the original signed document when needed.
What happens if my will cannot be found after I die?
If the original signed will cannot be located, the court will presume it was intentionally destroyed (revoked). Your estate would then pass under the intestacy rules, regardless of what your will said. This is why telling your executor exactly where the original is stored is as important as writing the will in the first place.
Can I store my will digitally?
A digital copy (PDF scan) can be useful as a reference but cannot substitute for the original signed document. Probate courts require the original. Some services offer digital custody combined with physical storage of the original — this is the best of both worlds. Never destroy the original on the assumption a digital copy will suffice.
Can I keep my will in a safe at home?
Yes, and a fireproof and waterproof home safe is one of the safest options. Make sure at least one person (your executor) knows the combination or has access to the key. Avoid locking the will so securely that your executor cannot retrieve it without a court order — this has happened.
Should I tell people where my will is stored?
You do not need to show anyone the contents of your will, but you should tell your executor (and ideally a trusted backup person) exactly where the original is stored. Many solicitors recommend writing the location on a separate memorandum kept in an accessible place. You can also register the existence of your will (not its contents) on the National Will Register.
Write the will first — then store it safely
Our will kits include a will location memorandum, an executor first-steps guide, and a household handover binder to make sure your wishes are found and followed.
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