Guidance

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

Updated 26 February 2022

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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 codicil(s) with HMCTS by posting it or taking it to a probate office (registry).

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.

1.1 Get help with storing a will or codicil

Probate helpline
Telephone: 0300 303 0648
Monday 11 April 2022 and Wednesday 13 April 2022, 8am to 8pm
Tuesday 12 April 2022, 8am to 8pm
Thursday 14 April 2022, 8am to 5pm
Closed on Saturday 16 April 2022, Sundays and bank holidays

Find out about call charges

2. 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 won’t 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.

3. 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 codicil(s) in an envelope
  4. get a witness to sign the PA7ENV label
  5. attach the label to the envelope containing the will and/or codicil(s)
  6. put the envelope containing the will and/or codicil(s) 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

3.1 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 codicil(s)
  • 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

3.2 Where to post the will and/or codicil(s)

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

4. Take the will and/or codicil(s) to a probate registry

You can deposit your will and/or codicil(s) by taking it to a probate registry or have someone do it on your behalf, for example, a relative or solicitor.

Before you or someone else visits you should make a copy of the will or codicil.

If someone else is visiting on your behalf, you must provide them with a letter signed by you giving them authority to act on your behalf.

You must make an appointment with the probate registry you intend to visit.

Check this table to find the registry closest to you and email safecustodywillsenquiries@justice.gov.uk to make an appointment.

Local probate registry Address
Brighton District Probate Registry William Street, Brighton, BN2 0RF
Cardiff Probate Registry of Wales 3rd Floor, Cardiff Magistrates Court. Fitzalan Place, Cardiff, CF24 0RZ
Liverpool Probate Registry Queen Elizabeth II Law Courts, Derby Square, Liverpool, L2 1XA
Leeds District Probate Registry York House, 31 York Place, Leeds, LS1 2BA
Oxford Probate Registry Combined Court Building, St Aldates, Oxford, OX1 1LY
Newcastle District Probate Registry 2nd Floor, Kings Court, Earl Grey Way, North Shields, NE29 6AR
Winchester District Probate Registry 1st Floor, Southside Offices, The Law Courts, Winchester, SO23 9EL

All registries are open on Monday to Friday 9:30 am to 4 pm.

When you or someone else on your behalf visits, you will be asked to seal the will and/or codicil(s) in the envelope, witnessed by a probate officer. The officer will also sign the envelope before it is taken away for safekeeping.

We will give you a certificate of deposit, or if someone else is dropping it off on your behalf, we will provide them with a copy and send you the original certificate by post.

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