Seals of the Court of Appeals and Superior Court
District of Columbia Courts

Filing a Will (WIL)

The Probate Division does not accept wills before death. The will should be filed within 90 days after the death of the deceased person with a Certificate of Filing Will.

How do I file a will?

General Information
Wills are filed with the Probate Division at the Probate Clerk’s Office, located at 515 5th Street, NW, Room 314, Washington, DC 20001. The Probate Division does not accept wills before death. The will should be filed within 90 days after the death of the deceased person with a Certificate of Filing Will. There is no cost to file a will. An Affidavit of Witness may be filed to explain any irregularity contained in the will. The will, the Certificate of Filing Will and the Affidavit of Witness, if necessary, are filed in a WIL case jacket and assigned a WIL case number. The original wills are kept in storage and can be retrieved if needed.

Contact
Probate Division

Presiding Judge: Hon. Laura Cordero
Deputy Presiding Judge: Hon. Carmen McLean
Director: Nicole Stevens
Deputy Director: Aisha Ivey-Nixon

Register of Wills: Nicole Stevens
Deputy Register of Wills: John H. Middleton

Court Building A
515 Fifth Street, NW, Third Floor
Washington, DC 20001

Get Directions
Hours of Operation

Monday-Friday:
8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Telephone Numbers

202-879-9460