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Clerk's Will Repository

A safe place to keep your will

The King County Superior Court Clerk's Office is a safe and private place to keep a will. Bring the original will to the Clerk's Office with a completed Will Repository Cover Sheet and $20. The Clerk will accept, seal and store the will securely. No one can see it while you are still living, unless they have a court order.

Leaving a will in the Will Repository does not make it a legal or valid will. To learn if your will is valid, talk to a lawyer. You are not required to leave your will in the Will Repository. Only original wills can be deposited with the Clerk's Office. Any copies of wills will not be accepted.

Read the Washington State Law:

Chapter 11.12.265 RCW Filing of original will with court before death of testator.

How to store your will in the Will Repository - Hard Copy (Paper) - Will signed with ink

  1. Fill out the Will Repository Cover Sheet.
  2. Bring will and completed coversheet to Clerk's Office, and pay the $20.00 fee to leave the will in the Clerk's Will Repository.
  3. If you add information to your will, such as a Codicil, you may add the document to an existing will repository record for no additional fee. There is also no fee to withdraw your will from the repository. However, if you deposit a new will later, you must pay another $20.00 fee.

 

How to store your will in the Will Repository - Will signed electronically per RCW 11.12.400 - 11.12.491

  1. Fill out the Will Repository Cover Sheet.
  2. Submit your will and cover sheet online through the e-filing portal (Click here for e-filing instructions).
  3. Pay the $20 fee online.
  4. If you add information to your will, such as a Codicil, you may add the document to an existing will repository record for no additional fee. There is also no fee to withdraw your will from the repository. However, if you deposit a new will later, you must pay another $20.00 fee.

 

The Clerk's Office keeps track of all deposited wills. The system lists only your name and date of birth; the will itself is sealed.

Will Repository Frequently Asked Questions

You can bring your will and completed coversheet to the King County Superior Court Clerk's Office in Seattle, or to the Maleng Regional Justice Center Clerk's Office in Kent. 

A will can be picked up from the same location it was filed.

If your will is stored at the King County Superior Court Clerk's Office, but it needs to be picked up at the Maleng Regional Justice Center Clerk's office or vice versa, you will need to call Customer Service at 206.296.9300 to request your will be transferred to the other location for pick-up. This process may take 2-3 business days. 


No one other than you can remove your will unless that person has a legally valid reason, and the court approves. 

For example, your spouse or family would have to file a motion and proposed order with the court. Then they would have to prove to the court that their reason for requesting removal of the will is valid. If the court approves the motion, the requester would take the signed court order to the Clerk's Office and pick up the will.

You, however, may add a new will or remove your own will at any time. 


When you die your will becomes a public record.  That means anyone with a certified copy of your death certificate can ask the court to unseal your will.


Yes, wills and codicils that comply with the Electronic Wills Act may be submitted through the clerk’s office e-filing application. 

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