Will Notarization Process: From Appointment to Certificate, Step by Step

Many people think notarizing a will means hiring a lawyer or going to court. It does not — you go to a notary public office (公证处), and the process is simpler than expected. But the details matter: bringing the wrong document can mean a wasted trip. This article breaks down the entire process so you can follow along step by step.

What Documents to Prepare

• ID Card — The original, not a photocopy — the notary verifies it on site
• Household Registration (Hukou) Book — Proves family relationships. If you have a collective hukou, a household certificate from the local police station works too
• Property Certificates — Property deed, vehicle registration, bank deposit slips, stock account screenshots — any document proving you own these assets
• Will Draft — Prepare it in advance; the notary will review the format and content. Drafting on site is prone to omissions and slower
• Beneficiary Information — Beneficiaries' names and ID numbers. If a beneficiary is not present, include their contact information

Where to Go

A notary public office in the place of your household registration or habitual residence. Large cities like Beijing and Shanghai have dozens of offices — search online for the nearest one. Smaller cities may have only one, so call ahead to confirm business hours. Some offices require advance appointments; searching "公证" (notary) in WeChat mini-programs usually finds the local booking portal.

How Much It Costs

Standards vary by region. For assets under 200,000 RMB, notary fees generally run 200–400 RMB. For assets above 200,000 RMB, fees are charged at a percentage, typically between 0.25% and 1.2%. A property worth five million RMB incurs roughly 1,500–3,000 RMB in notary fees. Some regions offer discounts for people over 70.

Holographic or Notarized Will — Which to Choose

In short: a holographic will is free, convenient, and can be written anytime. But when disputes arise, the other party may claim the handwriting is not yours or that you were not of sound mind. A notarized will costs a few hundred RMB more, but in disputes the notarial record carries greater evidentiary weight than a holographic will. If you have real estate, a business, or complex family relationships, notarization is recommended. For straightforward situations, a holographic will suffices.

Can a Notarized Will Be Changed

Yes, anytime. Go back to a notary office and have a new will notarized; the new one automatically supersedes the old. Do not modify the old one at home — altering a notarized will can invalidate the entire document.