Knowledge Base
Registration of French wills
When a client or loved one who has resided in France passes away without leaving clear instructions about their affairs, it is essential to determine whether a French will was made.
While such a document or a copy may occasionally be found among the deceased’s personal papers, there are many instances where no will is immediately apparent.
In France, wills can be registered at the Central Registry of Wills (Fichier Central des Dispositions de Dernières Volontés – FCDDV) by the notary who draws up the will.
Contacting the Registry:
It is possible to contact the Central Registry and request a certificate confirming whether or not the deceased made a will. The easiest way to do this is online:
At the time of writing, the fee for requesting this certificate online is €15 from abroad (information correct as at March 2025).
Following receipt of the search request, the deceased’s death certificate and the relevant fee, the Central Registry will indicate the search result.
If the result shows that a will has been registered, it will also indicate the details of the notary who holds the original will and you can then contact the notary’s office to obtain a copy. If you are struggling with language difficulties when submitting the search request online, you may find it easier to ask your notary to submit the request on your behalf
A holographic will needs to be submitted to the notary within five years of the testator’s death. The notary will carry out formalities for verifying the authenticity of the will.
Final comments
Given the significance of a will in terms of setting out the deceased’s wishes and instructions, conducting a search of the FCDDV is a vitally important first step in the process.
Previous: Types of French wills
Key terms:
Testament: Will/Last Will and Testament
Fichier Central des Dispositions de Dernières Volontés: Central Registry of Wills
Notaire: Notary
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