Having a will notarized at a notary office ensures the will is made in proper form and reduces future dispute risks. What costs are involved? The current legal framework is Notarization Law 46/2024/QH15 (effective 1 July 2025, replacing the 2014 Notarization Law) and Circular 257/2016/TT-BTC (as amended by Circular 111/2017), still in force.
1. Will notarization fee: VND 50,000 per case
Under Circular 257/2016/TT-BTC (as amended by Circular 111/2017), the fee for notarizing a will is VND 50,000 per case. This is a fixed state fee, applied uniformly at notarial practice organizations.
2. Will safekeeping: VND 100,000 per case
If you want the notary office to keep custody of the notarized will, the fee is VND 100,000 per case (same Circular 257/2016/TT-BTC). This only applies when you request safekeeping — it is not mandatory.
3. Notary remuneration: per provincial ceilings
Beyond the notarization fee, the requester also pays notary remuneration — applied according to the ceiling set by each provincial People’s Committee. The actual total cost of notarizing a will therefore varies by locality; ask the notary office in advance.
4. After-hours or off-premises costs
If you request notarization outside office hours or outside the office (e.g. at home for health reasons), additional costs apply as agreed with the notarial practice organization, based on the remuneration rules.
5. Distinction: notarizing a will vs. certifying a signature
Notarizing a will means the notary certifies that the making of the will complied with the proper form and content under Notarization Law 46/2024. Certifying a signature on a will is a different procedure — it only certifies the signer’s signature, not the content and process of making the will. The two procedures carry different legal value and fee schedules; if the goal is a will with solid legal standing, notarizing the will is the stronger choice.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to notarize a will?
The will notarization fee is VND 50,000 per case (Circular 257/2016/TT-BTC), plus notary remuneration per the ceiling of each provincial People’s Committee.
Is there a fee for leaving a will in the notary office’s custody?
Yes. The safekeeping fee is VND 100,000 per case, charged only when you request it.
Is the 2014 Notarization Law still in force?
No. Notarization Law 46/2024/QH15 (effective 1 July 2025) replaced the 2014 Notarization Law.
Is Circular 38/2023 relevant to will notarization fees?
No. Circular 38/2023 concerns industrial property and is unrelated to will notarization.
Sources
- Notarization Law 46/2024/QH15 (effective 1 July 2025, replacing the 2014 Notarization Law): the current framework for notarization;
- Circular 257/2016/TT-BTC (as amended by Circular 111/2017, still in force): will notarization fee VND 50,000 per case; will safekeeping fee VND 100,000 per case; notary remuneration per ceilings set by each provincial People’s Committee.
This article is for reference only and does not constitute legal advice. The content was drafted by AI and will be reviewed for quality by the AI Legal Council of FLAT Law Firm before approval for publication; it is not the legal opinion of a licensed human lawyer. Laws and regulations may change; please verify the current legal texts before applying them.
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