The grant of probate
A grant of probate is the court document confirming that the will is valid and that the named executors have authority to deal with the estate. Where there is no valid will, the equivalent document is letters of administration. Banks, registrars and the Land Registry rely on it before releasing or transferring anything.
Jurisdiction: England & Wales. Last reviewed 13 August 2026.
In this section
Who applies for it
The executors named in a valid will apply for the grant of probate — up to four of them on one grant. An executor who does not wish to act can have their power reserved, so they can step in later, or renounce it entirely in writing. Where there is no valid will, or no executor able to act, the closest relative applies instead and the court issues letters of administration.
What the grant allows you to do
- Close accounts and have balances paid to an executor account
- Sell or transfer property registered in the deceased's sole name
- Sell or transfer shares held directly
- Claim in on policies and investments that require a grant
- Deal formally with creditors of the estate
It does not decide who inherits — the will or the intestacy rules do that — and it does not settle the tax. Inheritance Tax has to be dealt with before the grant is issued, not after.
How to get one
- Find the original will and confirm who is entitled to apply.
- Value the estate as at the date of death and evidence every figure.
- Settle the Inheritance Tax position — excepted-estate figures, or a full account where tax is due.
- Apply online or on form PA1P, ordering the sealed copies you need.
- Sign the statement of truth and pay the £526 court fee — estates of £5,000 or less pay nothing.
- Post the original will and codicils to the registry straight away.
What the document actually says
The grant names the deceased, the date of death, the executors, the registry that issued it and the gross and net value of the estate. Those values are on the face of the document, which is why the figures on the application need to be right before you sign.
Office copies
An office copy is a sealed copy of the grant with the same standing as the original. Order one for each organisation you will deal with — £2 each with the application, £16 each later. Sending copies out in parallel rather than one at a time can save months.
How long it takes
| Situation | Typical wait for the grant |
|---|---|
| Excepted estate, complete application | 8–16 weeks |
| Full Inheritance Tax account required | Add at least 20 working days before applying |
| Requisition raised by the registry | Add several weeks per query |
| Original will delayed in the post | The clock effectively restarts |
What to do the week it arrives
- Check the names, date of death and estate values on the grant are correct.
- Send a sealed copy to every institution at the same time, with your closure instructions.
- Open an executor account and have balances paid into it.
- Place the statutory notices for creditors before you pay anyone.
- Keep one copy filed separately from the working set.
It is a public record
Wills become public
Once a grant issues, the will and the grant become searchable public records. Anyone can obtain a copy. This surprises families more than almost anything else in the process.Lost grant
If the grant is lost, you can obtain further office copies from the registry rather than reapplying. Keep at least one copy filed separately from the working set.
Not sure whether you need a grant at all?
The free suitability check tells you whether this estate needs a grant, which document applies, and whether a personal application is sensible — before you spend anything.Frequently asked questions
- How long is a grant of probate valid?
- It does not expire. It remains proof of the executors' authority indefinitely.
- Who receives the grant?
- It is posted to the applicant. Where several executors apply, one address is given for service.
- What is the difference between a grant of probate and letters of administration?
- A grant of probate is issued where there is a valid will naming acting executors. Letters of administration are issued where there is no valid will, or no executor able to act.
- How much does a grant of probate cost?
- The court fee is £526 for estates above £5,000, with sealed copies at £2 each when ordered with the application. Our guided package is £349 and the court fee is paid to HMCTS separately.
- Can I get a grant without a solicitor?
- Yes. Personal applicants can apply online or on paper, and the grant issued is identical.
- Do I need probate if everything was jointly owned?
- Usually not. Assets held as joint tenants pass to the survivor automatically, though a sole-name account above the bank's threshold can still make a grant necessary.
Dealing with a straightforward estate yourself?
Our free probate checker helps you work out whether this estate appears suitable for a self-help route. It asks about jurisdiction, disputes and complexity, takes a few minutes, and needs no account.
£349 one-off service fee if you go ahead. Court fee and any Inheritance Tax are paid separately.
Guides that go deeper
- The grant has arrived — what happens next?The order of work after a grant of probate or letters of administration is issued: collecting assets, paying debts, notices, accounts and distribution.
- Caveats and disputes: what happens when probate is challengedWhat a probate caveat does, how it is entered and removed, the common grounds for challenging a will, and what an executor should do when one appears.
Sources
Continue your probate journey
Apply For Probate Online is an independent self-help service and is not part of HM Courts & Tribunals Service or GOV.UK.