How is a will drawn up and can I register it?

Whoever wishes to draw up a will must comply with specific forms. Cypriot law has among others the following types of wills:

The will known as a ‘two witness will’:

• needs to be in writing and signed by the testator;
• the signature must be made or acknowledged by the testator in the presence of two or more witnesses present at the same time; and
• each witness must attest and sign the will in the presence of the testator (but not necessarily in the presence of any other witness).

• If the will consists of two or more sheets of paper, each sheet has to be signed or initialed by the testator and the witnesses.

• The international will, in accordance with the Washington Convention.

A will made outside of Cyprus, shall have effect in Cyprus, only if it is made in the form prescribed by the law of Cyprus.

There is no register of wills in Cyprus.

Information about how to keep, to register and to search for a will are also available on the website of the European Network of Register of Wills Association (ENRWA) in the section “Information sheet”.

www.arert.eu

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