Searching for a will

When a relative or close friend dies, you must perform a search to see if the deceased left a will. This is mandatory.

Only the most recent will has legal value. The search will show whether there is a will and whether it is the last one to have been drawn up.

If the deceased was married or in a civil union, certain clauses of the marriage or civil union contract may have the same effect as a will.

You must use the single Portal registry service for wills and protection mandates of the Barreau du Québec and the Chambre des notaires du Québec.

Request a search

You can request a search yourself using the form provided, or ask a notary or lawyer to do it for you.

You will then receive two will search certificates, which you will need in order to proceed.

A holograph (handwritten) will or a will made in the presence of witnesses is usually not registered, unless the testator (the deceased) filed it with a notary or lawyer.

In that case, your search should start with:

• the deceased’s personal effects;
• the deceased’s family and friends (one of them might know where the will is);
• anyone else who might have the will.

You should also check for a will in the deceased’s safety deposit box at the bank.