Filing a Will (WIL)

The Probate Division does not accept wills before death. The will should be filed within 90 days after the death of the deceased person with a Certificate of Filing Will.

How do I file a will?

General Information
Wills are filed with the Probate Division at the Probate Clerk’s Office, located at 515 5th Street, NW, Room 314, Washington, DC 20001. The Probate Division does not accept wills before death. The will should be filed within 90 days after the death of the deceased person with a Certificate of Filing Will. There is no cost to file a will.

You may file an Affidavit of Witness to explain any irregularity contained in the will. The will, the Certificate of Filing Will and the Affidavit of Witness, if necessary, are filed in a WIL case jacket and assigned a WIL case number. The original wills are kept in storage; the division can retrieve them if needed.