Guidance

How to store a will with HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS)

Updated 14 November 2023

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/store-a-will-with-the-probate-service/how-to-store-a-will-with-the-probate-service

1. Overview

You can store your will and/or codicils with HMCTS by posting it.

The will, and any codicils you supply, will be kept securely and you, or your dependents after your death, can withdraw it at any time.

2. Get help with storing a will or codicil

Probate helpline
Telephone: 0300 303 0648
Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm.
Closed on Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays

Find out about call charges

3. Fees

There is a one-off charge of £20 to deposit a will or its codicil, payable by cheque or postal order to HM Courts and Tribunals Service.

If you need to store both the will and its codicil, make sure you include them together in one envelope. That way you will not be charged separately for each item.

You may be able to get help with fees if you get benefits or are on a low income.

4. Send the will by post

Before you send your will and/or codicil to be stored, make a copy to keep for yourself.

  1. Download and print label PA7ENV.
  2. Fill in all details on the PA7ENV label in BLOCK CAPITALS.
  3. Put the will and/or codicils in an envelope.
  4. Get a witness to sign the PA7ENV label.
  5. Attach the label to the envelope containing the will and/or codicils.
  6. Put the envelope containing the will and/or codicils in a larger envelope, along with a cheque or postal order for £20 made payable to ‘HM Courts and Tribunals Service’ – unless you’ve applied for help with fees.

5. Telling HMCTS that you’ve applied with help with fees

If you’re applying for help with fees, you’ll need to let HMCTS know.

If you applied for help with fees online, you can either:

  • write your help with fees reference number on a piece of paper and add it to the envelope with the will and/or codicils
  • send an email with your help with fees reference number to probatehelpwithfees@justice.gov.uk, telling them that you’ve applied for help with fees put ‘HWF/[Will lodgement]/[full name of testator]’ in the email subject line

If you used form EX160 to apply for help with fees, you can either:

  • add the completed form EX160 in the envelope with the will and/or codicil(s)
  • photograph or scan the completed EX160 and email it to probatehelpwithfees@justice.gov.uk (make sure the photograph or scan is readable) and put ‘HWF/[Will lodgement]/[full name of testator]’ in the email subject line

6. Where to post the will and/or codicils

Send the larger envelope with everything inside it by recorded delivery to:

Newcastle District Probate Registry
2nd Floor
Kings Court
Earl Grey Way
North Shields
NE29 6AR

7. What happens next

Once you have sent in or delivered your will, it takes around 2 weeks for it to be lodged and you will then be sent a lodgement certificate.

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