Notarised copy of a will

[DorisParchment]

I am trying to sort out probate for my mother, and one of the financial institutions won’t release any information without a notarised copy of the will. I have called a local notary, and they won’t notarise the will without the presence of the two witnesses. One of the witnesses is dead and the other is in a dementia home. I have asked the financial institution if they will accept probate once it has gone through, and they said no, they will still need to see a notarised copy of the will, and can’t or won’t release the money without it. I have asked the notary if they can just certify that it is a true copy, and they said they can’t do that either. Any ideas on how I can make progress with this, please?

They don’t have to be the same witnesses as at the original signing!

This is the witnessing of the notarisation rather than the signing of the will itself

l. I have called a local notary, and they won’t notarise the will without the presence of the two witnesses.

you have misunderstood. It not of “the two witness”. It is just “two witnesses”

No, he was adamant that the two witnesses to the will be present. I haven’t misunderstood.

I explained the situation and he said “In that case, we can’t help you. You won’t be able to get a notarised copy of the will.”

Go to another notary

This is very common. Obviously

how odd

Try another notary perhaps? As others have said, the witnesses are just agreeing that the copy is a true copy of the original document, I used to do this all the time at work.

So I would need to take two witnesses with me to the notary, or can the notary provide witnesses.

Either I would imagine - you'd have to ask them. Quite often they'll just grab whoever is knocking around the office!

Are you sure they don't just need a certified copy? That's far more usual.

No, it’s definitely a notarised copy. I’ve found another one who will do it without any problem. Said he “Wouldn’t require me to dig up the witness.” I just need to bring the will, death certificate and ID so will do that tomorrow.