Can a will signed outside Florida be used?

Usually yes. A will signed by someone who was not a Florida resident when they signed it is valid in Florida if it was valid under the law of the state or country where it was signed, except handwritten (holographic) and oral (nuncupative) wills, which Florida does not accept (§ 732.502(2)). A will that was self-proved under the law of the state where it was signed is treated as self-proved in Florida (§ 732.503).

A will written in another language must be filed with a true and complete English translation (Fla. Prob. R. 5.216).

Common situations

Moved to Florida from another state. A will signed in New York or Ohio before the move generally remains valid. It is still worth reviewing, because Florida’s homestead and spousal rules may change how it works.
A will from another country. Valid if valid where signed, subject to the holographic and oral-will exceptions, and translated if needed.
A notarial will kept by a foreign notary. In countries where the notary must keep the original, Florida can admit a properly authenticated copy (with consular or Hague apostille authentication) if the original could have been admitted here (§ 733.205).
A Florida resident’s will already probated elsewhere by mistake. It can be admitted in Florida using authenticated copies of the will and the foreign probate records (§ 733.206).
A nonresident with Florida property. The will is usually probated first where the person lived, and then a Florida ancillary administration is opened for Florida property (§ 734.102).

Handwritten and oral wills

A will written entirely in the testator’s handwriting is not valid in Florida simply because the other state or country accepts unwitnessed handwritten wills. But a handwritten will that was signed with two witnesses as Florida requires is not treated as “holographic” and can be valid (§ 732.502).

What changes the answer

Where the person lived when they signed the will, not only where they signed it
Whether the will was witnessed, and by how many witnesses
Whether it was self-proved under the other state’s law
The language of the will
Whether a court elsewhere has already admitted it

An example

A couple from Pennsylvania signed wills there in 2015 with two witnesses and a notary, then moved to Winter Park in 2020. When the husband dies, his Pennsylvania will is admitted in Orange County. It was valid where signed, and the Pennsylvania self-proving affidavit is accepted. Because he left the Winter Park home to his adult son rather than to his surviving wife, the home is reviewed under Florida’s homestead rules.

Common mistakes

Assuming an unwitnessed handwritten will from another state will work in Florida
Filing a foreign-language will without a translation
Not reviewing an out-of-state will after moving to Florida, especially for the home

What to gather

The original will, and where and when it was signed
Where the person lived at the time of signing
Any self-proving affidavit or notary certificate
A certified English translation, if needed
Records of any probate already opened in another state or country

Next step

Confirm where the person lived when the will was signed and how it was witnessed. Those two facts decide most foreign-will questions.

Related guidance

Sources: Florida Statutes § 732.502, § 732.503, § 733.205, § 733.206, and § 734.102 (2026); Florida Probate Rule 5.216 (October 15, 2026 edition). Checked on October 23, 2026.