Applying for probate

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Apply for probate

You can apply for probate yourself online or by post. This can be cheaper than paying a probate practitioner (such as a solicitor) to apply for you.

Read guidance from Money Helper about using a probate practitioner for information on hiring a legal professional.

You’ll usually get probate within 16 weeks of submitting your application. It can take longer if you need to provide additional information.

This guide and the service are also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

Apply for probate online

You must have estimated the value of the estate to find out if there’s Inheritance Tax to pay before you can apply for probate.

If you’ve reported the full estate to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), before applying you must:

  • start paying Inheritance Tax, if there is any
  • wait 20 working days after sending the tax forms to HMRC

Apply for probate

Return to or track your application

Sign in to the probate service to:

  • check your existing application
  • track the progress of an application
  • see completed applications

If you need help applying online

There are 2 types of help available. You can get help if:

  • you’re able to apply online and there’s a problem - for example a technical issue or you need advice
  • you need support to apply online - for example you’re not confident using the internet

Help if you’re able to apply online and there’s a problem

You can get help if you:

  • are having technical issues with the service
  • need advice about the information you’re providing

Courts and Tribunals Service Centre
Telephone: 0300 303 0648
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Closed on bank holidays
Find out about call charges
Webchat
Email: contactprobate@justice.gov.uk

Help if you need support to apply online

You can phone the Digital Support helpline if you:

  • do not feel confident using the internet
  • do not have access to a computer or smartphone

Digital Support helpline
Telephone: 03300 160051
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Closed on bank holidays
Text FORM to 60777 and someone will call you back
Find out about call charges

Apply for probate by post

The form you need to fill in depends on whether the person left a will or not.

If there’s a will, fill in application form PA1P.

If there’s not a will, fill in application form PA1A.

If you’ve reported the full estate to HMRC, before applying you must:

  • start paying Inheritance Tax, if there is any
  • wait 20 working days after sending the tax forms to HMRC

It takes longer to process paper applications than online applications. Apply online if you can.

View a printable version of the whole guide

Part of What to do when someone dies: step by step

  1. Step 1 Register the death

    1. Register the death within 5 days

    Check what to do if:

  2. Step 2 Tell government about the death

    The Tell Us Once service allows you to inform all the relevant government departments when someone dies.

    1. Use the Tell Us Once service to tell government
    2. If you cannot use Tell Us Once, tell government yourself

    You'll also need to tell banks, utility companies, and landlords or housing associations yourself.

  3. Step 3 Arrange the funeral

    1. Arrange the funeral
    2. Get help paying for a funeral
    3. Get help paying for a child's funeral

  4. Step 4 Check if you can get bereavement benefits

    You might be eligible for financial help.

    Check if you can get:

  5. and Deal with your own benefits, pension and taxes

    Your tax, benefit claims and pension might change depending on your relationship with the person who died.

    1. Manage your tax, pensions and benefits if your partner has died
    2. Check how benefits are affected if a child dies

  6. and Find bereavement support and services

    Get help with managing grief and the things you need to do when someone dies.

    1. Find bereavement help and support
    2. Find bereavement services from your local council

  7. and Check if you need to apply to stay in the UK

    If your right to live in the UK depends on your relationship with someone who died you might need to apply for a new visa.

    Check the rules if:

    1. Contact UKVI to check the rules for other visas

  8. Step 5 Value the estate and check if you need to pay Inheritance Tax

    To find out if there’s Inheritance Tax to pay, you need to estimate the value of the property, money and possessions (the ‘estate’) of the person who died.

    1. Estimate the value of the estate to find out if you need to pay Inheritance Tax
    1. Find out how to report the value of the estate
    1. Pay Inheritance Tax if it’s due

  9. Step 6 Apply for probate

    You might need to apply for probate before you can deal with the property, money and possessions (the ‘estate’) of the person who died.

    1. Check if you need to apply for probate
    1. You are currently viewing: Apply for probate

  10. Step 7 Deal with the estate

    Pay any debts or taxes owed by the person who's died. You can then distribute the estate as set out in the will or the law.

    1. Deal with the estate
    1. Update property records