How do I apply for probate?

For people dealing with someone's property, money and possessions after they die.

Applies to: England, Wales Last checked against official sources: 30 September 2026

Probate is the legal right to deal with someone's property, money and possessions after they die. Before applying, check:

that probate is needed (ask their bank and other organisations)
that you're eligible: named executors if there's a will, or the closest relative if not
whether there's Inheritance Tax to pay

Then apply online or by post. Scotland and Northern Ireland have different rules.

Different in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

Rules may be different in:

Scotland: Check mygov.scot for Scotland
Northern Ireland: Check nidirect for Northern Ireland

Key facts

Check if it's needed
Value the estate first
Apply online or by post

What probate gives you

When someone dies, the things they owned (money, property and possessions) are called their "estate". Probate is the legal right to deal with the estate. Until you have it, you should not make financial plans or put their home on the market.

The document you get depends on whether there is a will.

Situation	Document you get	Who can apply
There is a will and it names an executor	Grant of probate	The executors named in the will
There is a will but no executor can apply	Letters of administration with will annexed	Another "entitled" person, such as someone who inherits under the will
There is no will	Letters of administration	The closest living relative, aged 18 or over

If there is no will, the order is: husband, wife or civil partner first, then children aged 18 or over, then other relatives. An unmarried partner who was not in a civil partnership cannot apply.

Do I need probate?

You may not need it. It depends on what the person owned and how.

You might not need probate if the person:

only had savings (the bank may release them without it)
owned money or shares jointly with someone, as these usually pass straight to the other owner
owned land or property as "joint tenants", as this passes straight to the other owner

Every bank, building society and pension provider has its own rules. Contact each one the person used, and ask whether they need to see probate.

How much it costs

Fee	Cost
Estate worth £5,000 or less	No fee
Estate worth over £5,000	£526
Extra copies ordered when you apply	£2 each
Extra copies ordered later	£16 each
Second application after probate already granted	£22

If you are on a low income or certain benefits, you may get help with fees. Apply online or use form EX160 before you apply for probate. If you apply for probate online, you pay the full fee first and get a refund if help is approved. Help does not cover extra copies.

How to apply

Check whether probate is needed.
Value the estate and check if there is Inheritance Tax to pay.
Apply online or by post.
Send the original will (if there is one). It becomes a public record and is kept by the probate registry.

You will usually get the grant within 12 weeks. It can take longer if more information is needed. If you applied online, you can track progress in the probate service.

After you get it

Send copies of the grant to each organisation holding the person's money or property. You can then collect the assets, pay any debts and share out what is left.

If you live in Scotland or Northern Ireland

These rules are for England and Wales. Scotland has its own process for dealing with an estate, run through the Scottish courts. In Northern Ireland, probate is handled by the NICTS Probate Office.

Related guides

Where this comes from

Get it done

This takes you to the official service, which is free to use.

Apply for probate

Common questions

When might I not need probate?

If the person only had savings, or owned money or property jointly as joint tenants.

Should I sell the house now?

Don't put property on the market until you have probate.

Source: Applying for probate

Checked against GOV.UK on 30 September 2026

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