Description
Certification of Wills in Puerto Rico
This service includes the processing of both types of certifications available in Puerto Rico related to wills:
- Certification from the Registry of Wills.
- Certification from the General Registry of Notarial Competencies.
These certifications are important when evaluating or preparing a Declaration of Heirs, as they make it possible to confirm whether or not there is a will registered in the deceased person’s name.
Who is eligible to request this service?
- Heirs or potential heirs of the deceased.
- Widower or widow of the deceased.
- Beneficiaries or persons with a legitimate interest in the estate.
What does this service include?
- Certification from the Registry of Wills:
- We request the appropriate certification to verify whether there is a will registered in the name of the deceased.
- If no will is found, a certificate of no will is issued.
- Certification from the General Registry of Notarial Competencies:
- The corresponding certification is requested from the General Registry of Notarial Competencies.
- This certification is part of the verification process for wills and notarial documents in Puerto Rico.
Requirements for Applying for a Certificate of Probate
- Death Certificate:
- This is required to begin the process.
- If you do not have it, we can obtain it here, if the person died in Puerto Rico.
- Document proving your relationship to the deceased:
- Children: You must upload their birth certificates.
- Widower or widow: You must upload your marriage certificate.
- Documents that include the name of the deceased:
- To ensure that all variations of the deceased's name are included, you should submit any document on which their name appears, especially if it is listed differently on various assets, accounts, or documents.
- Examples:
- Deed to Real Property.
- Motor vehicle title.
- Financial institution account statement.
- A bank statement, contract, insurance policy, registration document, or any other document that includes the name of the deceased.
The Importance of Including Variations of the Name
It is important to identify any variations in the deceased person’s name from the outset. For example, a name may appear on the death certificate, but on a deed, vehicle registration, bank account, or other document, it may be listed with initials, a middle name, an additional last name, an abbreviated name, or a minor error.
By including these variations in the application, it helps ensure that later on—when preparing a Declaration of Heirs transferring ownership of property, a vehicle, or an account—no issues arise due to uncertainty about whether it is the same person.
Does this service include a copy of the will?
No. This service includes handling the certification process with the relevant registries.
If the certification reveals that a will exists, requesting a certified copy of the will may require additional steps with the notary who executed the will or, if necessary, with the relevant notarial archive.
⏱ Processing time
💵 Service cost
⚠️ Before ordering
Have the death certificate and any documents listing the deceased person's name on hand, especially if there are variations of the name on property deeds, vehicle registration documents, bank accounts, or other documents.
⚠️ Add an Apostille only if the document will be used outside of Puerto Rico and outside the United States.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have any questions before placing your order?
If you still have any questions after reading the service information, you can contact us using the form below. We will respond by email within 1–2 business days.
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