How to Securely Deposit Your Will with the SAL Wills Registry in Singapore
5 Oct 2026
A Will can only protect your loved ones if they can find it. Since 9 September 2026, people in Singapore can securely deposit a digital copy of their Will with the Singapore Academy of Law (SAL) Wills Registry, through a participating law firm. Kin Wills works with participating law firms to help you do this, whether you are writing your first Will or already have a Will with us.
Quick answer: The SAL Wills Repository Service lets you store an encrypted digital copy of your Will with SAL. Only the people you nominate can access it after your passing. SAL is waiving its own deposit fee until 31 March 2027, but a professional fee still applies for arranging the deposit and must be made through a participating law firm. Kin Wills can arrange this for you through our partner law firms.
What is the SAL Wills Registry and the new Wills Repository Service?
The SAL Wills Registry has recorded Will information in Singapore since 2020. It notes whether a Will exists, who prepared it and where the original signed Will is kept. Until now, it did not store the Will itself.
On 9 September 2026, SAL launched the Wills Repository Service. It builds on the Registry by letting you deposit a digital copy of your Will, so your authorised persons can both locate the original and view its contents when needed.
SAL Wills Registry (since 2020) | SAL Wills Repository Service (since Sept 2026) | |
|---|---|---|
What it holds | A record that a Will exists, who prepared it and where the original is kept | A secure, encrypted digital copy of the Will itself |
Who can access it | Eligible persons searching the Registry | Only persons you nominate and authorise |
How to use it | Record lodged with the Registry | Deposited on your behalf by a participating law firm |
Retention | Registry record | Up to 120 years from your date of birth |
One point is important: the digital copy does not replace your original signed Will, and depositing it does not decide whether the Will is legally valid. Your original Will must still be kept safely.
Why deposit a digital copy of your Will?
A digital copy gives your family a reliable backup when the original Will is hard to find. Lost Wills, or doubt over which version is the latest, can add stress and delay for families during bereavement.
A backup if the original is missing. If the paper Will is lost, damaged or misplaced, your nominated persons can still access a copy of its contents.
Faster answers for your family. Your loved ones know where to look and whom to contact, which saves time during an already difficult period.
Privacy you control. The copy is protected by encryption and strict access controls. Only the persons you authorise, can request access after your passing.
Long-term safekeeping. SAL keeps the digital copy for up to 120 years from your date of birth.
Trusted by Singapore's legal system. The service is run by SAL, the statutory body that also administers the national Wills Registry.
How does depositing a Will with SAL work?
You cannot deposit a digital copy yourself. Under SAL's framework, it must be done by a participating law firm on your behalf.
Engage a participating firm to prepare a new Will or review your existing one.
Nominate your authorised persons, the people allowed to access the digital copy after your passing.
Sign your Will and keep the original in a safe place.
The law firm deposits the digital copy with SAL's Wills Repository on your behalf.
Your authorised persons can retrieve it when the time comes.
Cost: SAL is offering complimentary deposits through participating law firms from 9 September 2026 to 31 March 2027. SAL's prevailing fee applies to deposits made after that date, which is S$110 per deposit, so now is a good time to act.
The complimentary period covers SAL's deposit fee only. A professional fee applies for preparing or reviewing your Will and arranging the deposit. Contact us for a quote.
How Kin Wills can help you deposit your Will with SAL
Kin Wills works with participating law firms in SAL's Wills Repository network. We handle the coordination, so getting your Will securely deposited is simple.
If you have not written a Will yet, we can help you:
Plan and prepare your Will
Choose and nominate the people who can access the digital copy
Arrange for the digital copy to be deposited with SAL
If you already wrote your Will with Kin Wills, we can help you:
Arrange for a digital copy of your existing Will to be deposited
Nominate or confirm your authorised persons
Review whether your Will still reflects your wishes, especially after life events such as marriage, the birth of a child or buying property
In both cases, we will remind you to keep your original signed Will safe, as the digital copy is a backup and not a replacement.
Frequently asked questions
What is the SAL Wills Repository Service?
It is a service by the Singapore Academy of Law, launched on 9 September 2026, that securely stores a digital copy of your Will. Only people you authorise can access it after your passing.
Is the SAL Wills Registry the same as the Wills Repository?
No. The Wills Registry records that a Will exists and where the original is kept. The Wills Repository stores a digital copy of the Will itself.
Can I deposit my Will with SAL myself?
No. The digital copy must be deposited by a participating law firm. Kin Wills arranges this through our partner law firms.
Is it free to deposit a Will with SAL?
Not entirely. SAL is offering complimentary deposits through participating law firms until 31 March 2027. After that, SAL will charge a fee of S$110 per deposit. A professional fee also applies for preparing or reviewing your Will and arranging the deposit.
Does the digital copy replace my original Will?
No. The original signed Will remains the legal document and should be kept safely. Depositing a digital copy also does not confirm that a Will is valid.
Who can see my Will once it is deposited?
Only the persons you nominate and authorise, and only after your passing. No one can access it while you are alive. The copy is encrypted and protected by strict access controls.
How long does SAL keep the digital copy?
Up to 120 years from your date of birth.
I already have a Will with Kin Wills. Can I still use this service?
Yes. Kin Wills can arrange for a digital copy of your existing Will to be deposited through our partner law firms. Simply contact us and we will arrange it for you.
What if I update my Will later?
Speak to us when you update your Will, so the record held with SAL reflects your latest Will.
Protect your Will and your family's peace of mind
Writing a Will is the first step. Making sure it can be found is the next. With SAL's deposit fee waived until 31 March 2027, this is a good time to secure a digital copy of your Will.
Whether you are starting your first Will or already have one with Kin Wills, our team and partner law firms can guide you through the process. Contact Kin Wills today to get started.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. It reflects information publicly available from the Singapore Academy of Law as of 5 October 2026. Fees, procedures and eligibility may change, so please check for the latest details. E&OE.
Sources
SAL Wills Registry Enables Secure Deposit of Digital Copies of Wills, Singapore Academy of Law, 9 September 2026
