A Bitcoin letter of instruction tells your heirs how to access your Bitcoin — without including the seed phrase itself. This 2026 guide covers exactly what to write, what to omit, where to store it, and includes a template you can use today.
Your will says "I leave my Bitcoin to my spouse." Your spouse has no idea what a seed phrase is. Without a letter of instruction, that inheritance may be unrecoverable.
A Bitcoin letter of instruction is a plain-language document that tells your heirs exactly what you own, where it is, and how to access it. It's not a legal document — your will handles that. It's the practical guide that converts legal ownership into actual access. Writing one is the single most important step most Bitcoin holders skip.
It is:
It is NOT:
The letter of instruction tells heirs WHERE to find the seed phrase and HOW to use it. The seed phrase itself lives in a separate, secure location — stamped in steel at two or three locations, held in a safe, or managed by a service like Casa or Unchained.
Your letter points to the keys. Your keys stay hidden. If both were in the same place, a thief who finds either one gets everything.
Write a plain summary of what you hold:
"I hold Bitcoin (BTC). As of [date], the approximate amount is [X BTC]. This is held in self-custody — not at an exchange. To access it, you will need to follow the steps below. Do not send Bitcoin to any address without understanding exactly what you are doing. Mistakes cannot be undone."
Include:
Describe exactly where the device is:
"There is a [brand/model] hardware wallet in the [location — e.g., black fireproof safe in the closet of the home office]. The PIN for this device is stored separately [location — e.g., in the sealed envelope in the safe deposit box at [Bank Name], Branch Address]. Do not guess the PIN — too many wrong attempts may lock the device."
Products in our directory that may help heirs: Bitcoin Keeper is designed with inheritance workflows built in. Cipherwill provides encrypted digital instructions delivery.
Describe where the backup lives WITHOUT writing the actual seed phrase here:
"The 24-word recovery phrase ('seed phrase') for this wallet is stored on a steel plate in [location — e.g., the top shelf of the closet safe]. There is a second copy in [location — e.g., the safe deposit box at Bank Name]. You need this phrase to recover Bitcoin if the hardware wallet is unavailable. It consists of 24 common English words in a specific order."
Note if you use a passphrase (25th word) — this is critical, as many holders forget to mention it:
"There is an additional passphrase (a 25th word) required beyond the seed phrase. It is written on the [sealed envelope / stored at location]. Without this passphrase, the seed phrase alone will show an empty wallet."
Tell heirs what software to download to access the funds:
"Download [Sparrow Wallet / BlueWallet / etc.] on a computer or phone. This is free software. Connect the hardware wallet or, if the hardware wallet is unavailable, restore from the seed phrase using the same software. The software will ask you to enter the 24 words in order."
Recommend they find technically competent help:
"If you are not comfortable with technology, contact [Name, Phone] — they understand Bitcoin and can help. Alternatively, contact [Unchained Capital / your estate attorney's Bitcoin-knowledgeable partner]."
For any Bitcoin held at exchanges:
"I also hold Bitcoin at [Exchange Name]. The account email is [email address — or location where credentials are stored]. Two-factor authentication is set up on my [phone / email / hardware key]. The phone/email login credentials are in [location]."
Note: Exchange accounts go through normal probate/estate processes. Contact the exchange's legal/estate department with a death certificate and letters testamentary.
Name specific resources:
"If you encounter difficulty, contact:
- [Name, relationship, phone] — understands Bitcoin technically
- [Estate attorney name and firm] — has handled digital assets in estates
- [Unchained Capital / Casa] — if I set up a managed multisig vault, call their inheritance desk"
Services like Anchorage Digital Estate Services and BitGo Trust Inheritance Services specialize in helping heirs recover institutional holdings.
Write explicit warnings:
"Do NOT:
- Enter the seed phrase on any website (scam risk is extreme)
- Send Bitcoin to anyone claiming to help you 'verify' or 'transfer' it
- Share the seed phrase with anyone except a trusted professional who is physically present
- Attempt to access the Bitcoin before reading this entire document
- Assume the Bitcoin is at an exchange — it likely is NOT"
Do: Store in a fireproof safe at home, with your estate attorney (under attorney-client privilege), and with a trusted family member in a sealed envelope.
Do not: Store with your will (wills become public record in probate), in unencrypted digital files, or in email.
The Bitcoin Inheritance Protocol (BIP) and Anthony S. Park PLLC — a law firm specializing in digital asset estates — offer formal guidance on storage and legal structures.
Every time you:
...update the letter. Date each version. Keep two copies current.
For heirs who find this overwhelming, include a one-page summary card:
Bitcoin Quick Reference — [Your Name]
Date last updated: [Date]
What I own: Approximately [X] BTC in self-custody + [Y] BTC at [exchange]
Hardware wallet: [Model], located at [location]
Seed phrase (24 words): Located at [location] — DO NOT enter online
Passphrase (25th word): Located at [location] — required with seed phrase
First call: [Name, Phone] — they understand Bitcoin
Second call: [Estate attorney, firm, phone]
Should I include the actual seed phrase in this letter? No. The letter points to where the seed phrase is. The seed phrase stays in its secure location. If the letter and seed phrase are ever in the same place, one theft point gives access to everything.
What if my heir has never used Bitcoin? Write the letter for someone with no technical knowledge. Include the name of a specific trusted person they can call, and consider using a managed inheritance service like Casa or Unchained, which have teams to help heirs navigate the recovery process.
What if I use multisig? Document the multisig configuration in detail: how many keys are required, where each key is located, which coordinator software to use, and where the wallet descriptor file is stored. Multisig adds complexity — your letter of instruction must cover all of it.
Do I need a lawyer to write this? No. The letter of instruction is a private practical document, not a legal instrument. However, consult an estate attorney familiar with digital assets to ensure your will correctly addresses the Bitcoin and that your letter of instruction fits into your overall estate plan.
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