Wills

A will is a formal, written legal document concerning the distribution of property after death or as an advance inheritance.

An individual can allocate their property to heirs through a will.

The will must be written, and its content and signature must comply with the requirements of inheritance laws. The testator must sign the will before a notary (district commissioner) or in the presence of two testamentary witnesses.

District commissioners do not prepare wills, and it is recommended that anyone planning to make a will seek the assistance of a lawyer in drafting it.

Certification of a Will

The testator can request to sign their will before a notary (district commissioner). The will must be prepared in two copies, one of which will be kept by the district commissioner. Personal identification must be presented.
At the District Commissioner’s Office in the Capital Region, an appointment is required and can be booked at www.noona.is or via the Noona app. At the District Commissioner’s Office in South Iceland, appointments can also be booked at www.noona.is or via the Noona app.
No appointment is required at other district commissioner offices. The fee for notarial certification is ISK 5,400.

If the will is signed in the presence of two testamentary witnesses, the witnesses must be at least 18 years old, reliable, and of sound mental health. The witnesses must be legally qualified to witness the will, as detailed in Article 41 of the Inheritance Act.

The following must be included in the testamentary certificate:

The witnesses must sign the testamentary certificate with their name and ID number.

The same requirements apply to the notary's certificate as for the testamentary witness certificate mentioned above.

If the testator is illiterate, the will must be read to them.