The Probate Registry is the part of HM Courts and Tribunals Service that issues grants of probate (or letters of administration) so executors and administrators can deal with the deceased's estate. In 2026 most probate applications are made online through the HMCTS Probate Service; paper applications are still available but slower. This guide covers what the Probate Registry actually does, how to apply, what to expect on timing and cost, and the common reasons applications get rejected or delayed.
Key takeaways:
- The Probate Registry (part of HMCTS) issues grants of probate (when there's a will) or letters of administration (when there isn't) — both are court orders confirming who has authority to deal with the deceased's estate.
- Most applications are made online at gov.uk/applying-for-probate. Paper applications via PA1P/PA1A forms are still available.
- The application fee in 2026 is £273 for estates over £5,000; no fee for estates £5,000 or under.
- Standard processing time is 12-16 weeks from a complete application; stopped applications take much longer.
- You can apply yourself (DIY probate) or instruct a solicitor — for straightforward estates, DIY is entirely feasible and saves significant fees.
What the Probate Registry actually does
The Probate Registry is a court office. Its job is to issue grants of representation — court orders that:
- Confirm the validity of the will (if there is one) and the authority of the executors named in it
- Or, where there's no will, confirm the right of the administrator to handle the estate under the intestacy rules
- Provide a single official document that banks, the Land Registry and other asset-holders can rely on
Without a grant, executors and administrators have no formal authority to collect in assets, sell property, or distribute the estate. Most institutions will not release significant assets without seeing the grant.
The two main types of grant
### Grant of probate
Issued when:
- There is a valid will
- The will names executors
- At least one named executor is willing and able to act
The executors apply, and the grant confirms their authority.
### Grant of letters of administration
Issued when:
- There is no will (intestacy), OR
- The will is valid but names no executor / all named executors have died or refused to act
- A close relative (in order of priority under the Non-Contentious Probate Rules 1987: spouse, children, parents, siblings...) applies as administrator
### Variations
- Letters of administration with will annexed: there's a valid will but no executor available
- Grant ad colligenda bona: a limited interim grant to collect assets urgently while the full grant is being processed
- Grant de bonis non: a further grant when a first administrator dies before completing the estate
For most estates, it's either a straightforward grant of probate or letters of administration.
When you need a grant
See our probate basics guide for the full breakdown, but as a rough rule:
- Property in the deceased's sole name → always needs a grant
- Bank balances over the institution's threshold (typically £5,000-£50,000) → grant required
- Investments held individually → grant usually required
- Very small estates, jointly-owned assets, pensions paid via nomination, life insurance in trust → grant NOT usually required
If in doubt, ask each asset-holder directly — banks and providers will tell you their specific thresholds.
How to apply — online (recommended)
The simplest and fastest route in 2026 is the online application at gov.uk/applying-for-probate. The process:
### 1. Complete the IHT return
For inheritance tax purposes — even where no IHT is due — most estates need to submit either:
- IHT400 (full account) — required for estates over the IHT threshold or where allowances are being claimed
- No IHT form — for "excepted estates" with no IHT (most small UK estates)
The new rules from 2022 simplified this: for most ordinary estates with no IHT due, you confirm the values in the probate application itself rather than filing a separate IHT form.
### 2. Apply for the grant online
At gov.uk you provide:
- Deceased's full name, last address, date of death
- Your details (the applicant)
- Details of any other executors
- The estate value (gross and net)
- Whether IHT is due
- Whether the will has any unusual features
- Card payment for the £273 fee
The original will (if there is one) must then be posted to HMCTS within 14 days, along with the death certificate and the cover sheet HMCTS provides.
### 3. Wait for the grant
HMCTS processes the application, checks the will for validity, and issues the grant — usually 12-16 weeks for a straightforward case.
How to apply — paper (slower)
If you prefer paper, the forms are:
- PA1P — if there's a will (with copy of will, death certificate, any IHT forms)
- PA1A — if there's no will (with death certificate, any IHT forms, evidence of the applicant's entitlement)
Send to the Probate Registry with the £273 cheque. Paper applications typically take 16-20 weeks — longer than online.
Costs
| Item | 2026 cost |
|---|---|
| Probate application fee (estate > £5,000) | £273 |
| Probate application fee (estate ≤ £5,000) | £0 |
| Additional copy of the grant (sealed) | £1.50 each |
| Solicitor fees if instructed (typical, straightforward) | £1,500-£3,500 fixed, or 1-3% of estate |
| Specialist probate firm fees | Variable; many offer fixed-fee from £1,000 |
Order several sealed copies of the grant (at £1.50 each). Banks, the Land Registry, share registrars and insurance companies each want their own; some return them, some don't. 6-10 copies covers most ordinary estates.
Standard timeline
For a straightforward application (online, complete, IHT under threshold):
| Stage | Time |
|---|---|
| Gather asset and debt values | 4-8 weeks |
| Submit probate application online | Same day |
| Pay any IHT due (if applicable) | Within 6 months of death |
| HMCTS processing | 12-16 weeks |
| Grant issued; copies posted | 3-5 days |
End-to-end from death to grant: typically 3-5 months for a clean case.
For estates with IHT to pay, the IHT must be paid (or arrangements in place) before the grant issues — adding time.
Common reasons applications are delayed or rejected
### Missing or damaged original will
The Probate Registry needs the original signed paper will. Photocopies are not accepted. A lost or destroyed will is presumed revoked, and the estate is treated as intestate unless you can prove the will exists (e.g. via the lost-will procedure with affidavits and copies).
### Witnessing problems
A will signed without two adult witnesses present at the same time may be rejected as invalid. Section 9 of the Wills Act 1837 is strict — see will mistakes guide.
### Beneficiary witness
If a beneficiary or their spouse witnessed the will, the gift to them is voided (the will is otherwise valid). The Registry may flag this and require confirmation that the affected beneficiary understands.
### Crossed-out or altered will
Hand-written changes to a signed will are presumed invalid. The Registry may require an explanation, witness statements, or treat the alterations as having no effect.
### Disputes between executors
If multiple executors are named and they disagree (or only some apply), the Registry may pause the application to clarify. Renunciations or "power reserved" notices may be needed.
### IHT issues
If IHT is due and hasn't been paid, the grant won't issue. HMRC and HMCTS share data; mismatches between the probate application and the IHT return cause delays.
### Caveats
A caveat is a formal objection that can be lodged with the Registry to prevent a grant being issued. Caveats are sometimes lodged where someone wants to challenge the will. The caveat must be cleared (by agreement, by withdrawal, or by court order) before the grant can issue.
Trusted Hands wills are drafted to avoid the common probate pitfalls. Clear executor appointments, valid witnessing instructions in the Guided Witness Mode, and a built-in Executor Pack to walk your family through the application. Start your will →
DIY probate vs hiring a solicitor
For a straightforward estate — single will, sensible executors, clear beneficiaries, assets in standard forms (bank accounts, one property, no business interests) — DIY probate is entirely feasible. The online application is designed to be usable by lay applicants. Total cost: the £273 fee plus copies, no professional fees.
For more complex estates, a solicitor or licensed probate practitioner may earn their fee:
- Business interests
- Foreign property
- Substantial IHT exposure
- Disputed wills or family conflict
- Multiple jurisdictions
- Trusts created by the will
Costs vary: many firms offer fixed-fee probate for ordinary estates from £1,000-£2,000; complex estates can run £5,000-£20,000+ or a percentage of estate value (1-5% typical).
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Probate Registry take in 2026?
Standard online applications: 12-16 weeks from a complete application. Paper applications: 16-20 weeks. Stopped applications (missing information, disputes, IHT issues) can take 6+ months.
Can I track my application?
Yes. The online portal at gov.uk shows the current status. You'll receive updates when the application is received, when it's being reviewed, when it's stopped (with the reason), and when the grant is issued.
Where is the Probate Registry?
HMCTS operates a centralised probate processing centre — applications no longer go to local registries. You don't visit a registry; the process is by post and online.
What if I lose the grant after it's issued?
Order additional sealed copies (£1.50 each). You can also apply for a duplicate grant at any time.
Can someone challenge my application?
Yes, by lodging a caveat. The caveat blocks the grant for an initial 6 months (renewable). To resolve, the caveator must either withdraw or proceed with a formal challenge. If you face a caveat, take legal advice.
What happens if I make a mistake on the application?
Minor errors can usually be corrected by amendment. Substantive errors may require the application to be reissued. The Registry will write to you with what's needed.
Can I get probate fast-tracked?
There's no formal fast-track service for routine applications. For urgent cases (e.g. need to sell a perishable business asset), an ad colligenda bona grant gives interim authority to preserve specific assets while the full grant is processed.
What documents do I need to keep after probate is granted?
The original grant, the original will, the estate accounts, IHT documents, and copies of all material correspondence. Keep them for at least 12 years (the limitation period for most claims against an estate).
Trusted Hands is a UK will-writing service, not a firm of solicitors. For straightforward estates, DIY probate via gov.uk is entirely workable; for complex estates take advice from a regulated solicitor or probate practitioner.
Make your executor's probate journey easier
Trusted Hands wills include a free Executor Pack with a step-by-step guide to applying for probate, including links to the gov.uk online service and templates for the asset-and-debt schedule.
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