Effective Date: November 10, 2024
This Privacy Notice explains how The U.S. Will Registry ("we," "us," or "our") collects, uses, and protects personal information when individuals interact with our online will creation platform at theuswillregistry.org or through nonprofit partner websites.
Our service is intended for individuals in the United States who wish to create a legally valid will. Users may also choose to include a charitable bequest to a nonprofit organization. This notice applies to all personal data collected through our platform and any related services.
What Information We Collect
We collect only the information necessary to provide a secure and effective experience. This includes:
Account Information
When you create an account, we collect your email address and the password you choose. All login information is encrypted and protected using a significantly stronger password encryption algorithm than standard security protocols.Will and Estate Details
As part of creating your will, you may provide your full name, date of birth, address, marital status, and details about beneficiaries, executors, guardians, and assets.Charitable Gift Information (Optional)
If you choose to leave a gift to a nonprofit, we collect the nonprofit’s name and the amount or percentage designated.Information About Others
You may include names and contact details of individuals named in your will. Please do not enter anyone else’s personal information without their consent.Technical Data
We may collect your IP address, browser type, and general usage data to maintain platform performance and security.
We only use essential cookies. No marketing or tracking cookies are used.
How We Use Your Information
We use your information to:
- Create, manage, and store your will.
- Send confirmation emails after will completion.
- Remind you once a year to review or update your will.
- Notify you if your will remains incomplete. We will delete incomplete data after 60 days.
- Inform nonprofits of bequests made to them—only with your consent.
- Improve platform performance and troubleshoot technical issues.
- Fulfill legal requirements and enforce our terms of service.
How and When We Share Your Information
We never sell your data. We only share it under these limited and controlled conditions:
With Nonprofit Organizations (Only With Your Consent)
- If you give permission, we share your name, address, email, and approximate bequest value with the named nonprofit.
- If you choose to remain anonymous, we only share the bequest amount—your identity stays private.
With Trusted Service Providers
We may share data with third-party vendors who help us operate our site(e.g., hosting, email delivery, support). All vendors must agree to keep your information secure and confidential.For Legal Compliance
If legally required, we may disclose your information to comply with court orders, subpoenas, or government regulations.
Your Rights and Choices
- Log into your account to update your personal data.
- Choose whether your name is shared with a nonprofit by selecting your preference during the will creation process.
Children’s Privacy
This service is not intended for children under 18. We do not knowingly collect information from minors. If a parent or guardian becomes aware that a minor has submitted personal information, they should contact us at [email protected], and we will promptly remove it.
International Use
The U.S. Will Registry is based in the United States and is designed for U.S. residents only. If you access our services from another country, please beaware that your data will be processed and stored in the U.S.
Data Security
We use industry-standard administrative, physical, and technical safeguards to protect your information. These include:
- A significantly stronger password encryption algorithm than typical industry standards.
- Email verification through a one-time passcode (OTP) sent via email at the time of sign-in to help prevent unauthorized access and ensure your privacy.
- End-to-end encryption of login credentials.
- Secure server environments and data backups.
- Controlled access to personal information for authorized personnel only.
Although we take every reasonable step to protect your data, no system is 100% immune to breaches. You are responsible for keeping your login credentials confidential and secure.
Additional Safeguards
To further protect your privacy:
- We limit access to personal data to only those employees and service providers who need it to support our services.
- We regularly monitor our systems for vulnerabilities and apply security updates promptly.
- We never request sensitive information such as Social Security numbers, banking details, or credit card numbers.
Changes to This Privacy Notice
We may update this Privacy Notice occasionally. Any updates will be posted on this page with the new effective date. If we make major changes, we will notify you via email or a banner on the website.
Contact Us
If you have questions or concerns about this Privacy Notice or your data, please contact us at: [email protected]