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Probate - Will - Official custody and return

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You can place a handwritten will in special official safekeeping at the local court.  

Notarial wills are placed directly in special official safekeeping at the local court by the notary who certifies them.     The cooperation of the testator is not required.

		    


                					    

						    

							    Competent Department
						    

						    
					    

                        
					    

						    

							    Basic information
						    

						    

							    

								    
As soon as a will is taken into special official custody, the respective court notifies the Central Register of Wills, which is maintained by the Federal Chamber of Notaries, of the custody. There, the deposit is registered electronically, but the contents are not recorded. This also applies to handwritten wills.     Each registry office that records a death notifies the Central Register of Wills, which then informs the district courts where wills are held in official custody at 

. The Central Register of Wills is then updated on a regular basis.

								    

									    Requirements
A so-called application for deposit must be filled out and signed and submitted with the will to the district court.

								    
What documents do I need?
    
    
  • for official custody and return:        
    Deposit application: completed and signed, in case of joint wills both testators must apply for the deposit 
    
Testament: in the original 
    
   Birth certificate :  To register in the Central Register of Wills, it is necessary to indicate the 
    
birth registration. It is therefore essential to fill in the corresponding field in the filing application 
    
(registry office and registration number). Alternatively, 
    
can be used to file a copy of the birth certificate .   
    
On return: The identity of each testator must be proven by presenting a valid official 
    
photo identification (identity card, passport). It is not possible to hand over 
    
to authorized persons.

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