Part 2 Formalities of Wills
Subsection 1Ordinary Formality
Article 967 (Types of Will Made by Ordinary form)
A will shall be made by holograph document, notarized document, or sealed and
notarized document; provided that this shall not apply to the case where it is
permissible to use a special method.
Article 968 (Will by Holograph Document)
(1) To make a will by holograph document the testator must write the entire text,
the date, and his/her name in his/her own hand and affix his/her seal.
(2) Unless, for an insertion, deletion or any other alteration to the handwritten
certificate, the testator indicates the place of alteration, makes a specifically signed
addition to the effect that it has been changed, and furthermore affixes his/her seal
to the place that has been altered, it shall have no effect.
Article 969 (Will by Notarized Document)
A will by notarized document shall be made in compliance with the following items:
(i) no fewer than two witnesses shall be in attendance;
(ii) the testator shall give oral instruction of the tenor of the will to a notary
public;
(iii) a notary public shall take dictation from the testator and read this aloud, or
allow inspection, to the testator and witnesses;
(iv) the testator and witnesses shall each sign, and affix his/her seal to, the
certificate after having approved its accuracy; provided, however, that in the case
where a testator is unable to sign, a notary public may sign on his/her behalf,
with supplementary registration giving the reason for that; and
(v) a notary public shall give supplementary registration to the effect that the
certificate has been made in compliance with the formalities listed in each of the
preceding items, sign this, and affix his/her seal