Title 4. Wills — Subtitle 6. Maryland International Wills Act
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Est. & Trusts § 4-601 (2026)
Title 4. Wills
Subtitle 6. Maryland International Wills Act
§ 4–601LinkCopy Citation
(a)
In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
(b)
“Authorized person” or “person authorized to act in connection with international wills” means a person, including a member of the diplomatic and consular service of the United States designated by Foreign Service Regulations, who, under § 4–609 of this subtitle or by the laws of the United States, is empowered to supervise the execution of international wills.
(c)
“International will” means a will executed in conformity with §§ 4–602 through 4–605 of this subtitle.
Md. Code Ann., Est. & Trusts § 4-602 (2026)
Title 4. Wills
Subtitle 6. Maryland International Wills Act
§ 4–602LinkCopy Citation
(a)
A will is valid as regards form, irrespective particularly of the place where the will has been made, the location of the assets, and the nationality, domicile, or residence of the testator, if the will is made in the form of an international will complying with the requirements of this subtitle.
(b)
The invalidity of a will as an international will does not affect its formal validity as a will of another kind.
(c)
This subtitle does not apply to any form of testamentary disposition made by two or more persons in one instrument.
Md. Code Ann., Est. & Trusts § 4-603 (2026)
Title 4. Wills
Subtitle 6. Maryland International Wills Act
§ 4–603LinkCopy Citation
(a)
An international will:
(1)
Shall be made in writing;
(2)
Does not need to be written by the testator;
(3)
May be written in any language; and
(4)
May be written by hand or by any other means.
(b)
(1)
The testator shall declare in the presence of at least two witnesses and a person authorized to act in connection with international wills that the document is the testator’s will and that the testator knows the contents of the document.
(2)
The testator need not inform the witnesses or the authorized person of the contents of the will.
(c)
In the presence of the witnesses and of the authorized person, a testator shall:
(1)
Sign the will; or
(2)
If the testator has previously signed the will, acknowledge the testator’s signature.
(d)
(1)
If a testator is unable to sign, the absence of the testator’s signature does not affect the validity of the will if:
(i)
The testator indicates the reason for the testator’s inability to sign; and
(ii)
The authorized person makes note on the will of the reason for the testator’s inability to sign.
(2)
If a testator is unable to sign, another person present, including the authorized person or one of the witnesses, may sign the testator’s name for the testator if:
(i)
The other person signs at the direction of the testator; and
(ii)
The authorized person makes note on the will of the other person signing the testator’s name at the direction of the testator.
(3)
Notwithstanding paragraph (2) of this subsection, a person is not required to sign the testator’s name at the testator’s direction.
(e)
The witnesses and the authorized person shall there and then attest the will by signing their names in the presence of the testator.
Md. Code Ann., Est. & Trusts § 4-604 (2026)
Title 4. Wills
Subtitle 6. Maryland International Wills Act
§ 4–604LinkCopy Citation
(a)
(1)
The signatures required under § 4–603 of this subtitle shall be placed at the end of the will.
(2)
If the will consists of more than one sheet, each sheet shall be numbered.
(3)
If a will consists of more than one sheet, each sheet shall be signed by:
(i)
The testator; or
(ii)
(1)
If the testator is unable to sign the testator’s name, a person signing at the direction of the testator; or
(2)
If there is no person signing at the direction of the testator, the authorized person.
(b)
The date of the will shall be:
(1)
The date of the authorized person’s signature on the will; and
(2)
Noted at the end of the will by the authorized person.
(c)
(1)
The authorized person shall ask the testator whether the testator wishes to make a declaration concerning the safekeeping of the testator’s will.
(2)
If the testator responds by an express request for the safekeeping of the will, the place where the testator intends to have the will kept shall be included in the certificate described under § 4–605 of this subtitle.
(d)
A will executed in compliance with § 4–603 of this subtitle is not invalid solely because the will does not comply with this section.
Md. Code Ann., Est. & Trusts § 4-605 (2026)
Title 4. Wills
Subtitle 6. Maryland International Wills Act
§ 4–605LinkCopy Citation
(a)
An authorized person shall attach to the will a certificate to be signed by the authorized person establishing that the requirements for valid execution of an international will have been met.
(b)
The authorized person shall keep a copy of the certificate and deliver a copy to the testator.
(c)
A certificate under this section shall be substantially in the following form:
“CERTIFICATE
(Convention of October 26, 1973)
I, __________________ (name, address, and capacity), a person authorized to act in connection with international wills, certify that on ________________________ (date) at__________________(place)___________________(testator)____________________(name, address, and date and place of birth) in my presence and that of the witnesses: _____________________ (name, address, and date and place of birth); and _____________________ (name, address, and date and place of birth) has declared that the attached document is the testator’s will and that the testator knows the contents of the will.
I further certify that in my presence and in the presence of the witnesses:
(1)
the testator has signed the will or has acknowledged the testator’s signature previously affixed;
(2)
following a declaration of the testator stating that the testator was unable to sign the testator’s will for the following reason ____________________, I have noted this declaration on the will and the signature has been affixed by _____________ (name and address);
(3)
the witnesses and I have signed the will;
(4)
each page of the will has been signed by _______________________ (name and address) and numbered;
(5)
I have satisfied myself as to the identity of the testator and of the witnesses as designated above;
(6)
the witnesses met the conditions requisite to act as such according to the law under which I am acting; and
(7)
the testator has requested me to include the following statement concerning the safekeeping of the testator’s will: ____________________________________________________________________.
PLACE OF EXECUTION _____________________
DATE ________________________________________
SIGNATURE _________________________________ and, if necessary, SEAL”.
Md. Code Ann., Est. & Trusts § 4-606 (2026)
Title 4. Wills
Subtitle 6. Maryland International Wills Act
§ 4–606LinkCopy Citation
(a)
In the absence of evidence to the contrary, the certificate of an authorized person under § 4–605 of this subtitle is conclusive of the formal validity of the instrument as a will under this subtitle.
(b)
The absence or irregularity of a certificate does not affect the formal validity of a will under this subtitle.
Md. Code Ann., Est. & Trusts § 4-607 (2026)
Title 4. Wills
Subtitle 6. Maryland International Wills Act
§ 4–607LinkCopy Citation
An international will is subject to the ordinary rules of revocation of wills.
Md. Code Ann., Est. & Trusts § 4-608 (2026)
Title 4. Wills
Subtitle 6. Maryland International Wills Act
§ 4–608LinkCopy Citation
(a)
Sections 4–601 through 4–607 of this subtitle derive from Annex to Convention of October 26, 1973, Providing a Uniform Law on the Form of an International Will.
(b)
In interpreting and applying this subtitle, regard shall be given to its international origin and the need for uniformity in its interpretation.
Md. Code Ann., Est. & Trusts § 4-609 (2026)
Title 4. Wills
Subtitle 6. Maryland International Wills Act
§ 4–609LinkCopy Citation
An individual who has been admitted to practice law before the courts of this State and who is currently licensed to do so is an authorized person under this subtitle.