What does the Australian Registry of Wills, Deeds and DocumentsTM do?
- The Australian Registry of Wills, Deeds and DocumentsTM is a national information center allowing you to register and identify the location of a Will, Power of Attorney, Property Title, Trust Deed, and any other important Documents.
- Registered documents are given a customized registration number detailing their whereabouts.
- The registry aims to assist you (and your loved ones) to quickly and easily identify and locate important Documents upon request.
What are the benefits of registering my Documents?
- Help those dealing with your estate to easily locate your registered Documents, saving them time and money.
- You’ll receive an online document registration certificate for easy identification.
- Reduce the risk of your Will not being found, so strict State and Territory laws don’t dictate how your assets will be divided.
- Help eliminate the chance of an outdated Will being probated.
- Control who you nominate to have access to your registered information.
- Receive a Will/Deed/Document registration certificate for easy reference.
- A national database, so you can move States/Territories without having to change registries.
- Fully-encrypted secure payment facility.
- Receive periodic reminder emails to ensure your details are kept up-to-date.
- Free updates to member and nominee details.
- Global account access 24/7.
- Help ensure your wishes are fulfilled.
What happens if I do not have a Will?
If you do not have a Will upon passing, you are said to have died intestate. This means your estate and assets will be sold and distributed according to a specific formula outlined in the Administration and Probate Act 1958. Thus, the distribution of your assets may not be how you would have wanted. This is why it is important to make and register the location of a valid Will, so loved ones can easily locate and execute it according to your wishes.
What is the cost of making a Will with a solicitor?
The price to get a Will made by a solicitor or lawyer can vary depending on the fees charged and the complexity of your estate.
A lawyer or solicitor can charge between $300 to $600 per hour. Typically, the cost to make a basic Will can start in the vicinity of $600 and increase to $6000 plus for a more complex Will.
As a couple, do we need to buy two seperate Wills or can we make a joint Will?
As everyone's situation is different, we only offer individual Wills for purchase. This way, you can be sure to make a Will according to your own wishes.
Do I have to register my Will?
Registering the location of your Will is optional, however there are many benefits in doing so. Firstly, it helps reduce the risk of your Will not being found, so strict State and Territory law does not dictate how your estate and assets are divided. Secondly, it helps eliminate the chance of an outdated Will being probated, helping ensure your most recent wishes are upheld. And thirdly, it allows loved ones to quickly and easily identify your most current valid Will, saving them time and money from searching endlessly.
Who can register a Document?
Individuals aged 18 years and over. Business professionals can register Documents on behalf of their clients.
Can my partner and I register a Document together?
The registry only allows individuals to register their Documents. This is to ensure accuracy of information that is specific to an individual. If you and your partner have a combined Will or Document, you will need to register it individually.
What is the process to register a Document?
Simply follow the easy 5-step process, by selecting the 'Register Now' link.
- 1. MEMBER REGISTRATION
- 2. SELECT THE DOCUMENTS YOU WOULD LIKE TO REGISTER
- 3. MAKE PAYMENT = ACCOUNT ACTIVATION
- 4. ENTER DETAILS OF YOUR REGISTERED DOCUMENTS AND NOMINEE ACCESS
- 5. PRINT YOUR REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE
Fill out your personal details and select the type/s of Document/s you would like to register. Make your payment via the secure payment facility. ‘Log in' to your account to specify the details of
your Document/s, and nominate who you want to have access to your registered information. An online Document registration certificate will be created and available for you to print out in
the ‘My Account’ area. Attach the certificate to your registered Document/s for easy identification.
What should I do with the registration certificate?
Upon completing the registration process, it is important to print a copy of the registration certificate and attach it to your registered Document, so it can be correctly identified. You can locate your certificate when you ‘Log In’ to your account and select ‘registration certificate’ for the particular Document you have registered.
I don't have access to a printer to print my certificate. What should I do?
If you are unable to access a printer, you can save the registration certificate and print it out later or simply write down the Document registration number onto the original version (and any subsequent copies) of the registered Document for easy identification.
I am having difficulty registering my Documents. What should I do?
We recommend you first read through all of the 'Frequently Asked Questions' to try to help clarify any queries you may have. If you are still having difficulty, you may want to ask a Professional to
undertake the registration process for you. Alternatively, you can forward us an email via the ‘Contact Us’ link and one of our representatives will get in contact with you.
Does the Australian Registry of Wills, Deeds and DocumentsTM hold or store my Will and/or Documents?
The registry does NOT hold (store) any Wills, Deeds or Documents, other than if you create the Australian Legal Will online through our site. In this instance, members have the option to upload a copy of their Will for future reference. Note, it is your own responsibility to ensure the safekeeping of your original Will and/or Documents.
What is the information I provide used for?
Any information you give us is strictly used for providing an efficient and effective registry service offering, directly related to our products and services.
How is my information (or clients’ information) secured?
The Australian Registry of Wills, Deeds and Documents™ values your privacy. Any personal information you provide us is secured via Secure Socket Layer (SSL) technology, which is used as an ‘industry standard’ to send and receive information over the Internet.
Members also control who they provide access to their registered information. People you nominate can access your information by either:
- 1. Entering a randomly generated password that is sent to the nominees email address, or
- 2. Answering a secret question selected/created by you..
*Please note: It is your own responsibility to ensure any security information you give us, in relation to nominees accessing your details, can be accessed by that person only.
How does the Search facility work?
Search: Provides enquirers with a Members full name, suburb, State and postcode. No other information is provided.
Advanced Search: People nominated by a Member can retrieve registered Document information by answering a secrete question relating to the Member and/or inputting a randomly generated security code sent to the nominees email address.
The type of access an enquirer has is solely dependent on what the Member has selected upon registration. If you have registered your Documents through a Professional, they too have access to your registered information.
What information do I need when searching for a Member’s registered information?
An Enquirer must know the Members full name, date of birth and place of birth. If you have been given access to a Member’s registered information, you will be asked to answer a Secrete Question relating to the Member and/or input a randomly generated Security Code that was sent to your registered email account.
How much does it cost to register a Document?
Please refer to the 'Fees' section of this site.
How much does it cost to 'Search' and see if someone is a member?
Search: Free.
Advanced Search (Retrieval of Information): Please refer to the 'Fees' section of the site.
How much does it cost to change/update my personal details (including details of nominees)?
Is there an annual Membership fee?
Yes. Please refer to the ‘Fees’ section of the site for more information.
Professionals registering Documents on behalf of their clients only need to make an initial ONE OFF registration payment for the total number of Documents being registered. Any future periodic Membership fees are passed on directly to your client. An invoice is sent to the client via email or postage.
What if I fail to pay my annual Membership fee?
Failure to pay your annual Membership fee will result in your account being de-activated (restricted access), until all outstanding payments have been processed by us. Accounts that are inactive for a considerable period of time will be terminated at the discretion of the registry. To renew your Membership, simply 'log in' to your account, select 'Settings', and 'Renew Membership' located next to 'Membership Expiry Date'.
What payment options are available for Registering Documents?
Credit Card Payment: Is the quickest and easiest form of payment. We accept both Visa and Mastercard via Secure Pay's online payment facility.
Is it secure to use my credit card to make a payment?
Yes. This site uses Secure Socket Layer (SSL) technology that is (presently) a very safe way to send credit card information over the Internet. When you submit your payment details, they pass through a secure server to a payment gateway. Information you provide is encrypted on your system, and decrypted on our server, preventing anyone from accessing any information in between.
Who can view a Member's registered information?
The Member has full control over who has access to their information. Only nominees elected by the Member are able to access the Member's registered information.
If a Member has been registered by a Professional, they too will have access to the registered information.
How many people can I nominate to have access to my registered information?
How does a person know I have nominated them to have access to my registered information?
Upon registering a Document, you can assign a nominee and elect to notify them via email. If you do not notify them via email, they will still have access to your registered information, if and when required. You may also decide to inform them at a later stage, if you choose.
How do I change my ‘Public Listing’ search status?
If you initially register your details by selecting to 'Opt In' and then later decide to 'Opt Out' of the public listing (or vice-versa), simply ‘Log In’ to ‘My Account’, select ‘Settings’, then un-check or
check the ‘Public Listing’ checkbox.
What if I don't want the public to view my listing?
Upon registration, you can select to ‘Opt Out’ of the public listing by un-checking the box.
If you initially register your details by selecting to 'Opt In' and then later decide to 'Opt Out' of the public listing (or vice-versa), simply forward your request via the 'contact us' section of the site, so we can action it for you.
How do I search for someone's Will and/or documents?
Search: A general public listing of registered individuals is available by going to the SEARCH area of the site.
If a person identifies that an individual has registered their documents and would like to find the location of them, they are able to follow the simple 4-step process:
- 1. SEARCH: See if the correct person is registered - (Name, Date of Birth, Place of Birth).
- 2. IDENTIFY: Find out if you have access to the account - (Granted Access)
- 3. PAYMENT: Service Fee - (Payment Gateway)
- 4. RETRIEVE: Gain the location of the required documents - (Registered Information)
I am unable to access a Member’s registered information. What should I do?
To access a Member’s registered information, you need to have been chosen as a Nominee (by the Member at the time of registration). If you are unable to gain access to a Member’s registered information, you may not have been selected as a Nominee, or have provided us with information that does not correspond with what a Member has registered on the system.
I have forgotten my ‘Login’ password. What should I do?
In the ‘Login' area of the site, select 'Forgot Password'. Follow the prompts to form a new password.
Can I change the password to my account?
Yes. You can change or update your password anytime by accessing ‘My Account’ and selecting ‘Settings’, then ‘Change Password’ located on the left hand panel.
If I make a new Will and/or Document, do I need to re- register it?
Yes. It is important to register any new Will and/or Document to ensure the correct and most up-to-date Will and/or Document is identified and executed/probated. Upon registration, you will receive a new registration certificate with a unique registration number specifically allocated to that Document.
As an existing member, how do I register another Document?
Simply ‘Log In’ to your account and select ‘Add Document’ on the left hand side panel to proceed with the registration process.
How long does the Australian Registry of Wills, Deeds and DocumentsTM store my information on the Register?
There is no time frame limitation for storing your registered information so long as you continue to keep your account active (ensuring your account Membership is paid).
Can a Professional Member client access their own account once the Professional sets it up?
Yes. An automatically generated email will be sent to the client informing them of their account access details upon successful registration.
Are Clients of Professional Members able to access their account once the Professional sets it up?
It is up to the Professional to decide whether or not they provide their clients with account access.
What happens if I (the Professional Member) change firms/practices? Am I able to keep my existing account and registered clients?
The clients you have registered are held under a Professional business account, thus any registered clients remain with the business that you originally registered them with. The account Administrator will be able to assign a new ‘Professional’ to manage any existing client accounts. Professionals starting with a new firm/company will need to set up a new Professional Member account, in order to register new clients.
What happens if a Professional fails to pay their annual subscription?
The Professional account(s) will be de-activated (i.e. no registration/amendments permitted) until the outstanding subscription fee has been paid. The account Administrator can ‘Log In’ to the ‘Control Panel’ to re-new their subscription via the ‘Payments’ link. Information stored on any Professional Member accounts (that have expired) will remain on our system indefinitely. Any client Member accounts formed by a Professional Member will not be affected and will continue to operate as per normal.
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