Closed petition: Create a national register of wills & require all wills to be registered

Closed on 2 December 2025

We call on the Government to create a government-backed national register of wills and make will registration mandatory in the UK. We are concerned that without this, a valid will may not be followed. We register births, deaths and property — we believe wills should be no different.

Each year, many families apply for probate without knowing whether a valid will exists. The risk of lost, hidden or disputed wills can cause delays, distress, and legal battles. As will writers & estate planners, we’ve seen this harm first-hand. We believe a national register could offer clarity, reduce fraud, and protect legacies.