The European Network of Registers of Wills Association
Romania
Registering and searching for wills
What are the principal forms of will in Romania?
* the authentic will, drawn up by a civil law notary.
* the holographic will, written, dated and signed by the testator himself.
* the sealed will, placed in a sealed envelope and handed over to a civil law notary.
Does a register of wills exist in Romania?
Yes, there is a register of wills, administered by the Romanian Notariat. The register is computerized but it is not yet possible to search directly via the Internet. This should be possible in the near future.
1.The registration of a will
Why register a will?
Only authentic wills are recorded in the register. However, a will which is not found is deemed to be a non-existent will.
This is why the recording of the will in the register is recommended, by opting to record your last wishes in an authentic will. The testator shall therefore be sure that his will shall be found and thus respected after his death.
Who can carry out the registration?
The civil law notary carries out the registration of authentic wills. It is not the content of the will which is registered in the register but the information which enables the will to be found.
Who keeps the will?
The civil law notary is in charge of keeping the authentic, holographic and sealed wills confided to him by the testator.
Can the testator’s family members consult the register while he is still alive?
No, the existence of a will and its content shall remain a secret during the entire life of the testator.
How much does it cost to register a will?
Registration of a will in the register is free of charge.
2.The search for the wills
Who may query the register of wills?
Upon the death of the testator, the civil law notary in charge of the succession proceedings must query the register of wills. This query is obligatory as it ensures that the last wishes of the testator are respected. The heirs must also disclose the wills of which they are aware.
Is it necessary to provide a death certificate?
Yes, the testator’s family must provide a death certificate in order to be able to carry out a search. This measure enables to ensure that the existence of the will remains secret throughout the testator’s life.
How much does a search cost?
A search in the Romanian register costs about 5€.
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