Make an open will (testamento abierto) before a notario

What you need to have handy

1. DNI o NIE valid (or pasaporte if you don’t have NIE).
2. List of heirs/legatees with full names, DNI/NIE and dates of birth.
3. Régimen matrimonial and, if applicable, capitulaciones or the escritura of the regime.
4. Distribution outline: who inherits, specific legacies, substitutions if someone dies before you, and what to do with the usufruct of the spouse.
5. If a derecho foral affects you (Cataluña, Navarra, País Vasco, Aragón, Baleares), be clear about your vecindad civil.

Documentation

• Identification: DNI/NIE/pasaporte.
• Civil status: the notario may ask for certificado de matrimonio or proof of divorce if needed. You can request it online at the Ministerio site.
• Capitulaciones if you are married with separation of assets or have a special regime.
• Heirs’ details complete and clear.
• List of assets (indicative). Not mandatory, but avoids ambiguity.
• Disability certificates if you will apply benefits or special provisions.

Step by step

1. Find a notario in your area and book an appointment: portal del Notariado (https://www.notariado.org/portal/ciudadanos). Say you want a testamento abierto and ask for a quote.
2. Send an outline by email if offered. The notario will prepare a borrador and flag legal limits (legítimas, usufructo viudal, etc.).
3. Go and sign with your ID. The notario will read the escritura, answer questions and tweak the text if needed.
4. Sign and pay the arancel. You’ll get a copia simple immediately or shortly after. The copia autorizada is usually ready in 1–3 days.
5. Forget about registering it yourself: the notaría reports the act to the Registro de Últimas Voluntades. You don’t need to do anything else.
6. When you die, your heirs will request the Certificado de Últimas Voluntades via Cl@ve at https://sede.mjusticia.gob.es/es/tramites/certificado-ultimas-voluntades (payment of tasa 790-006) to find which notaría holds the last will.

Time-savers

• Bring a list with everyone’s details (names exactly as on the DNI, numbers and dates). Avoid last-minute calls.
• If married, ask about the spouse’s usufruct and the children’s legítima. It can save a second visit.
• If you have assets in several CCAA or abroad, mention it: it can affect which law applies and how to draft the will.
• Don’t master Spanish? Request an interpreter when booking. Saying it on the day usually means you won’t sign.
• Ask for a fixed quote. Simple wills are usually cheap, but better safe than surprised.

Common mistakes that mess up the process

1. Thinking you must “register” it yourself. No: the notario already notifies Últimas Voluntades.
2. Forgetting the legítima and leaving everything to one person. The notario will block or rewrite it and you’ll lose time.
3. Not updating after a divorce or birth. The latest will governs; if you don’t change it, it may not match your current situation.
4. Poorly identifying beneficiaries (wrong names, incorrect DNI). That causes problems during inheritance.
5. Confusing testamento abierto with testamento ológrafo (handwritten). The abierto before notario is the safe option; ológrafo often causes court headaches.