How much does it cost to apply for probate in the UK in 2026?

The court (HMCTS) application fee is £300 for any estate worth more than £5,000, regardless of the estate's value. Additional official copies of the Grant cost £16 each (increased from £1.50 in November 2025) — most executors need 3–4 copies for banks, the Land Registry, insurers, and pension providers. There is no fee if the estate is worth £5,000 or less. Solicitor fees are additional: typically 1–4% of the estate value if you use a professional.

How long does it take to get a Grant of Probate in the UK?

In 2026, online applications without queries are processed in approximately 2 weeks. Online applications that require queries or additional information take around 15 weeks. Paper applications average 13 weeks. The full estate administration process — from death to distributing the estate — typically takes 9–18 months regardless of how quickly the grant arrives, because collecting assets, paying debts, and distributing the estate takes time.

Can I apply for probate myself without a solicitor?

Yes — most executors apply for probate themselves. HMCTS operates an online probate service at probate.service.gov.uk. You need the original will, the death certificate, and the IHT reference number (or confirmation that no IHT return is required). Straightforward estates — no foreign property, no business assets, no disputes — are well suited to a DIY application. Complex estates (multiple jurisdictions, business interests, contested wills) benefit from solicitor involvement.

What is the difference between a Grant of Probate and Letters of Administration?

A Grant of Probate is issued when the deceased left a valid will and names an executor who is willing to act. Letters of Administration are issued when the deceased died without a valid will (intestate) — in which case an administrator is appointed from the priority order (spouse first, then children, then parents, then siblings). Both documents give the holder authority to deal with the estate; the process is broadly similar but Letters of Administration require a paper-only application, take 8–16 weeks, and cost the same £300 fee.

Do I need to pay inheritance tax before applying for probate?

Yes — HMRC generally requires IHT to be paid before the Probate Registry will issue the grant. This creates a practical problem: you cannot sell estate assets (such as the house) until you have the grant, but you need money to pay the IHT. Solutions include: the HMRC Direct Payment Scheme (banks release funds directly to HMRC before probate); a probate loan or bridging finance; or paying IHT in 10 annual instalments for property (interest is charged). The executor must obtain an IHT reference number before applying.

What happens after I receive the Grant of Probate?

Once you have the grant: (1) Send official copies to banks, the Land Registry, pension providers, and insurers to collect and transfer assets. (2) Close or transfer accounts and investments. (3) Sell property if required — the grant authorises the executor to transfer title. (4) Pay outstanding debts in priority order (funeral expenses first, then secured debts, then HMRC, then unsecured creditors). (5) File a final income tax return to the date of death. (6) Distribute the estate to beneficiaries and obtain signed receipts. (7) Prepare estate accounts.

Can I apply for probate if there is no will?

Yes, but you apply for Letters of Administration rather than a Grant of Probate. You must be one of the qualifying relatives in the priority order: surviving spouse or civil partner first, then children, then parents, then full siblings. An unmarried cohabiting partner cannot apply and inherits nothing under the intestacy rules. The application is paper-only and typically takes 8–16 weeks. A valid will makes the process faster (online application, typically 2–13 weeks) and ensures the estate is distributed according to the deceased's wishes.

How to Apply for Probate UK (2026): Step-by-Step Guide, Costs & Processing Times

What is a Grant of Probate?

A Grant of Probate is a court-issued document from the Probate Registry (part of HMCTS) that gives the named executor legal authority to deal with the estate of someone who has died — collecting assets, paying debts, and distributing to beneficiaries.

Without a Grant of Probate, banks, the Land Registry, insurance companies, and pension providers will not release assets held in the deceased's sole name. Solely owned property cannot be transferred without one.

If the deceased died without a valid will (intestate), the equivalent document is called Letters of Administration, and the person who obtains it is called an administrator rather than an executor. The underlying process is broadly similar but requires a paper application and takes longer.

Do you need probate? A quick checklist

Probate is not always required. You can often avoid it if the estate consists mainly of:

Usually no probate needed

Assets owned jointly as joint tenants (pass by survivorship)
Pension death benefits (paid by nomination form)
Life insurance written in trust
Bank accounts below the institution's threshold (typically £15,000–£50,000)
ISAs below account threshold

Probate almost always required

Solely owned property (Land Registry requires it)
Bank accounts above the institution's threshold
Shares held in a sole name
Business interests in the deceased's sole name
Premium bonds (NS&I) above £5,000

See our full guide: Do You Need Probate in the UK?

What you need before applying

✓
Original will (and any codicils)
The Probate Registry keeps the original. Do not send photocopies.
✓
Death certificate
The official certified copy issued by the Register Office. Keep several copies — you will need them for banks etc.
✓
Estate valuation
Values of all assets and liabilities at the date of death: property, bank accounts, investments, life insurance (not in trust), debts.
✓
IHT reference number
Obtain from HMRC before applying. Even if no IHT is due, you must submit IHT205 (small estates) or IHT400 (larger estates) and receive an IHT reference.
✓
Executor's ID
The online service requires basic identity verification for the applying executor.

How to apply for probate: 8 steps

1
Register the death and obtain the death certificate
Deaths must be registered within 5 days at the local Register Office. You will receive a certified death certificate — order several copies at this stage (each costs £11 from most councils).
2
Locate the original will
Find the original signed will. Check the deceased's paperwork, solicitor's safekeeping, or HM Land Registry's wills search. If no will is found, you must apply for Letters of Administration under the intestacy rules.
3
Value the estate
List all assets (property at open market value, bank balances, investments, life insurance not in trust, vehicles, valuable personal property) and all liabilities (mortgage, loans, credit cards, final bills). This valuation is at the date of death.
4
Complete the inheritance tax forms
Most estates require IHT205 (estates below the IHT threshold with straightforward assets) or IHT400 (larger estates or those using reliefs and exemptions). Submit to HMRC and obtain an IHT reference number before applying for probate.
5
Pay any inheritance tax due
IHT must generally be paid before the Probate Registry issues the grant. Use the HMRC Direct Payment Scheme (banks release funds direct to HMRC before probate) or pay from personal funds and reclaim from the estate. For property, you can elect to pay IHT in 10 annual instalments.
6
Apply online at probate.service.gov.uk
Use the HMCTS online probate service (form PA1P for estates with a will). Upload a scan of the will and submit the IHT reference. Pay the £300 court fee by debit or credit card. Post the original will separately by recorded delivery to the address shown.
7
Wait for the grant
Online applications without queries: approximately 2 weeks. Applications requiring follow-up: approximately 15 weeks. Paper applications: approximately 13 weeks. The Probate Registry will contact you if further information is needed.
8
Administer the estate
Send official copies of the grant to banks, the Land Registry, pension providers, and insurers. Collect assets, sell property, pay debts in priority order, file final tax returns, distribute to beneficiaries, obtain receipts, and prepare estate accounts.

Probate costs in the UK (2026)

Cost item	Amount (2026)	Notes
HMCTS application fee	£300	Estates over £5,000; zero for estates of £5,000 or less
Official copies of the grant	£16 each	Increased from £1.50 in November 2025; order 3–5 at application
IHT205 filing	Free	Small/simple estates below IHT threshold
IHT400 filing	Free	Larger estates; may require accountant support
Solicitor fees (DIY application)	£0	Apply yourself at probate.service.gov.uk
Solicitor fees (professional)	1–4% of estate value	£3,000–£12,000+ on a £300,000 estate
Death certificates	~£11 each	Ordered at Register Office; order several
Probate loan/bridging (if needed)	Varies	To pay IHT before probate — interest charged

The IHT before probate timing problem

HMRC generally requires IHT to be paid before the Probate Registry issues the grant. This creates a practical problem: the estate's assets — particularly property — cannot be sold until the executor has the grant. But the executor needs money to pay IHT first.

Three solutions exist:

HMRC Direct Payment Scheme — most UK banks will release funds directly from the deceased's bank accounts to HMRC before probate, using form IHT423. This avoids the executor having to find personal funds.
Probate loan / bridging finance — a specialist lender advances the IHT sum against the estate; it is repaid when assets are realised. Interest is charged. The loan is repaid from estate funds once probate is granted.
10-year instalments for property — HMRC allows IHT on property (and certain other assets) to be paid in 10 equal annual instalments. Interest is charged on the outstanding balance. This is useful if the property cannot be sold quickly.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to apply for probate in the UK in 2026?: The court (HMCTS) application fee is £300 for any estate worth more than £5,000, regardless of the estate's value. Additional official copies of the Grant cost £16 each (increased from £1.50 in November 2025) — most executors need 3–4 copies for banks, the Land Registry, insurers, and pension providers. There is no fee if the estate is worth £5,000 or less. Solicitor fees are additional: typically 1–4% of the estate value if you use a professional.
How long does it take to get a Grant of Probate in the UK?: In 2026, online applications without queries are processed in approximately 2 weeks. Online applications that require queries or additional information take around 15 weeks. Paper applications average 13 weeks. The full estate administration process — from death to distributing the estate — typically takes 9–18 months regardless of how quickly the grant arrives, because collecting assets, paying debts, and distributing the estate takes time.
Can I apply for probate myself without a solicitor?: Yes — most executors apply for probate themselves. HMCTS operates an online probate service at probate.service.gov.uk. You need the original will, the death certificate, and the IHT reference number (or confirmation that no IHT return is required). Straightforward estates — no foreign property, no business assets, no disputes — are well suited to a DIY application. Complex estates (multiple jurisdictions, business interests, contested wills) benefit from solicitor involvement.
What is the difference between a Grant of Probate and Letters of Administration?: A Grant of Probate is issued when the deceased left a valid will and names an executor who is willing to act. Letters of Administration are issued when the deceased died without a valid will (intestate) — in which case an administrator is appointed from the priority order (spouse first, then children, then parents, then siblings). Both documents give the holder authority to deal with the estate; the process is broadly similar but Letters of Administration require a paper-only application, take 8–16 weeks, and cost the same £300 fee.
Do I need to pay inheritance tax before applying for probate?: Yes — HMRC generally requires IHT to be paid before the Probate Registry will issue the grant. This creates a practical problem: you cannot sell estate assets (such as the house) until you have the grant, but you need money to pay the IHT. Solutions include: the HMRC Direct Payment Scheme (banks release funds directly to HMRC before probate); a probate loan or bridging finance; or paying IHT in 10 annual instalments for property (interest is charged). The executor must obtain an IHT reference number before applying.
What happens after I receive the Grant of Probate?: Once you have the grant: (1) Send official copies to banks, the Land Registry, pension providers, and insurers to collect and transfer assets. (2) Close or transfer accounts and investments. (3) Sell property if required — the grant authorises the executor to transfer title. (4) Pay outstanding debts in priority order (funeral expenses first, then secured debts, then HMRC, then unsecured creditors). (5) File a final income tax return to the date of death. (6) Distribute the estate to beneficiaries and obtain signed receipts. (7) Prepare estate accounts.
Can I apply for probate if there is no will?: Yes, but you apply for Letters of Administration rather than a Grant of Probate. You must be one of the qualifying relatives in the priority order: surviving spouse or civil partner first, then children, then parents, then full siblings. An unmarried cohabiting partner cannot apply and inherits nothing under the intestacy rules. The application is paper-only and typically takes 8–16 weeks. A valid will makes the process faster (online application, typically 2–13 weeks) and ensures the estate is distributed according to the deceased's wishes.

A valid will makes probate faster and cheaper

Dying without a will forces your family to apply for Letters of Administration — a slower, paper-only process with no online application. A WillSafe UK will lets your executor apply online and follow your exact wishes.

Single Will Kit — £20 Essentials Bundle (Will + LPA) — £50

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This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. WillSafe UK is not a firm of solicitors. Laws described apply to England and Wales only. Always consult a qualified solicitor for advice specific to your circumstances.