Applying for probate

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Fees

You may have to pay a fee to apply for probate. Whether you need to pay depends on the value of the estate.

If the value of the estate is over £5,000, the application fee is £300.

There’s no fee if the estate is £5,000 or less.

You can order extra copies of the probate document for £1.50 each. This means you can send them to different organisations at the same time.

If probate has already been granted, it costs £20 to make a second application. For example, if you want to apply as an executor after holding ‘power reserved’ on the first application. You’ll have to pay the fee even if the value of the estate is £5,000 or less.

Get help with fees

You may be able to get help to pay the probate fee and other court fees if you have a low income or are on certain benefits.

You can apply for help with fees online or fill in form EX160 before applying for probate.

If you apply for probate online, you’ll have to pay the full probate fee when you apply. You’ll get a refund later if your application for help with fees is successful.

After you apply for help online

Send your online help with fees reference number:

  • with form PA1P or PA1A if you’re applying for probate by post (the address is on the form)
  • with your supporting documents, such as the will, if you’re applying for probate online (you’ll be told the address in your application)
  • by email to the help with fees team, if you’re applying for probate by post or online - put ‘HWF/[full name of person who died]/[date of death]/probate application’ in the email subject line

Probate help with fees team
probatehelpwithfees@justice.gov.uk

If you apply using form EX160

Fill in form EX160 and send it by:

  • post to the national probate registry in Newcastle - include a note to say you’re applying for probate
  • email to the help with fees team - put ‘HWF/[full name of person who died]/[date of death]/probate application’ in the email subject line

Probate help with fees team
probatehelpwithfees@justice.gov.uk

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

    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. 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