Apply for probate on paper as a practitioner

Question

Accepted Answer

When to apply by paper

If you are applying online, you do not need to submit a paper application as well

Grants of probate

MyHMCTS cannot accept probate grant applications in all cases. In these cases, you must apply using the paper form:

for a second grant for the same estate
where the person entitled has been convicted of murder or manslaughter of the deceased or has otherwise forfeited the right to apply
in respect of a foreign will
accompanied by an application to prove a copy of the will
accompanied by an application for rectification or fiat copy of the will
for joinder of administrator, under rule 25
two or more persons are entitled in the same degree, under rule 27 (3) to (8)
where the deceased died domiciled outside England and Wales, under rule 30, except a grant under rule 30 (3)(b)
to attorneys, under rule 31
related to resealing under Colonial Probates Acts 1892 and 1927, under rule 39
for administration under discretionary powers of court section 116, under rule 52

If none of these conditions applies, then you must use MyHMCTS.

You can apply online for trust corporations and other corporate bodies, under rule 36. However, you can also still apply with the paper form.

Letters of administration

You can apply online with MyHMCTS if all of these conditions are met:

there is only one applicant and they are the only person entitled to the estate (the applicant is the person who will be named on the grant)
the applicant is a spouse/civil partner or sole child/adopted child of the deceased
where the deceased was domiciled outside of England and Wales, the estate in England and Wales only consists of immovable property
there is no other claim on the estate
there is no minority interest
the applicant is able to make their own decisions
the deceased died after 1 October 2014

You cannot apply online and must apply by paper form if any of these apply:

the applicant is represented by an attorney, under Rule 31
where all those entitled are deceased and their legal personal representatives are making the application
related to resealing under Colonial Probates Acts 1892 and 1927, under rule 39
for administration under discretionary powers of court section 116, under rule 52
where the person entitled has been convicted of murder or manslaughter of the deceased or has otherwise forfeited the right to apply

Letters of administration with will annexed

You can apply online with MyHMCTS if all of these conditions are met:

there is only one applicant and they are the only person entitled to the estate (the applicant is the person who will be named on the grant)
all the beneficiaries in the will and/or codicils (both who receive a specific gift and who get the residue) are over 18
the applicant is named in the will and/or codicils as the only residuary legatee or devisee or residuary legatee and devisee
all executors, residuary legatees and devisees holding the estate in trust have died or chosen not to apply

You must apply by paper form if the application is:

for a second grant for the same estate
for a foreign will
accompanied by an application to prove a copy of the will
accompanied by an application for rectification or fiat copy of the will
for joinder of administrator, under rule 25
for 2 or more persons who are entitled in the same degree, under rule 27 (3) to (8)
where there is a life interest

How to apply

If there is a will complete application form PA1P for probate professional practitioners.

If there is not a will complete application form PA1A for probate professional practitioners.

You can also apply to stop a probate grant being issued.

Pay for the application

You need to pay on application.

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

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

For a second grant in an estate where a previous grant has been issued the fee is £20, even if the estate is £5,000 or less. For cases with a settled land limitation, if the value of the estate is £5,000 or less there’s no fee and if it’s over £5,000 it is £300.

Extra copies of the grant cost £1.50 each.

You can pay by either:

sending a cheque payable to HMCTS with your documents
adding your Payment by Account number in your application

Send your completed form to HMCTS Probate with the documents set out in each form’s checklist.

Your client may be eligible for Help with fees. All probate fees are eligible apart from probate searches or ordering copies of a grant of representation.

If you are applying using an IHT 400 form

Send the form directly to HMRC:

Inheritance Tax
HM Revenue and Customs
BX9 1HT

Once you’ve sent your completed IHT400 to HMRC, you’ll get a letter within 20 working days which you’ll need before you can apply for probate.

If you have not received the letter after 20 working days, you must contact HMRC.

Inheritance Tax helpline
Telephone: 0300 123 1072
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Closed on bank holidays

Where to send your application

Use a signed-for or tracked postal service that will deliver to PO boxes to send your documents.

We cannot return the will and any updates to it.

Applications in English

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

Email: newcastledprenquiries@justice.gov.uk

Applications in Welsh

Cardiff Probate Registry of Wales
3rd Floor, Cardiff Magistrates’ Court
Fitzalan Place
Cardiff
CF24 0RZ

Email: cardiffdprenquiries@justice.gov.uk

Get help with your application

We can provide reasonable adjustments if you have disabilities. Contact us to ask for a reasonable adjustment or for help with your application.

Telephone

Probate helpline
Telephone: 0300 303 0648
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
Closed on Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays

Welsh language: 0300 303 0654
Monday to Thursday, 9am to 5pm

Friday, 9am to 4.30pm

Find out about call charges

Email

contactprobate@justice.gov.uk

Apply for probate on paper as a practitioner

When to apply by paper

Grants of probate

Letters of administration

Letters of administration with will annexed

How to apply

Pay for the application

If you are applying using an IHT 400 form

Where to send your application

Applications in English

Applications in Welsh

Get help with your application

Telephone

Email

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Apply for probate on paper as a practitioner

When to apply by paper

Grants of probate

Letters of administration

Letters of administration with will annexed

How to apply

Pay for the application

If you are applying using an IHT 400 form

Where to send your application

Applications in English

Applications in Welsh

Get help with your application

Telephone

Email

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