How to apply for probate online

You can apply for probate yourself through gov.uk's online service if you're an executor or the closest relative. Value the estate, deal with any Inheritance Tax first, apply and pay £526, then post the original will. In August 2026, an online application HMCTS didn't need to stop took 1.7 weeks to reach a grant.

Steps checked against gov.uk 11 October 2026 · gov.uk: apply for probate

1. Check you need probate, and that you can apply

Not every estate needs it. The probate checker works through property, bank accounts and shares. Executors named in the will apply; with no will, the closest living relative does. See what probate is for who that is.

2. Find the original will

You'll post the original will after applying: gov.uk is clear that you can't use a photocopy. The registry keeps it and it becomes a public record. If there's more than one will, send the most recent and keep the others until the grant arrives. If the original is lost, you may be able to apply with form PA13.

Source: gov.uk, if there's a will, checked 11 October 2026.

3. Value the estate

The application asks for 5 values. gov.uk's Inheritance Tax checker gives you 3 of them: the gross and net estate for Inheritance Tax, and the net qualifying value. You work out the other 2 yourself:

• Gross value for probate: the gross estate for Inheritance Tax, minus anything owned jointly that passes to the surviving owner, gifts made in the 7 years before death, assets abroad and assets in a trust.
• Net value for probate: the gross value for probate, minus the person's debts and the funeral. Leave out debts owed jointly, such as the mortgage on a jointly owned home.

Source: gov.uk, before you apply, checked 11 October 2026. How to value an estate on gov.uk covers the detail.

4. Deal with Inheritance Tax first

If there's no tax to pay and HMRC doesn't need full details, the estate is “excepted” and you can apply straight away. If it isn't, send form IHT400 to HMRC within 12 months of the death, start paying any tax due, and wait for HMRC to send a unique code. You can't apply without it.

Source: gov.uk, before you apply, checked 11 October 2026.

5. Agree who applies

Up to 4 executors can be named on the application, and one of them leads it. Executors who aren't applying can hold power reserved, telling the lead applicant in writing, or give up the right for good on form PA15.

Every applicant needs an email address, a mobile phone and internet access. When the lead applicant signs the legal declaration, the others get an email and a text code to sign theirs, and the application can't go further until everyone has signed.

Source: gov.uk, if there's a will and before you apply, checked 11 October 2026.

6. Apply and pay

Start the application on gov.uk. The fee is £526 if the estate is worth more than £5,000, and nothing at £5,000 or less. Order extra copies of the grant now, at £2 each: later they cost £16.

If you're getting help with fees, you pay the full fee online and get a refund once help is granted. See probate fees to work out the total.

7. Post the will and documents

The service tells you where to send the original will and any other documents it asks for. Send them straight away. HMCTS measures two waits: one from the day you submit, and one from the day it has your payment and all the paperwork. In August 2026 the gap between them was 1.2 weeks for online applications, and it counts towards your wait.

8. Avoid a stopped application

HMCTS stops an application when it can't go ahead as submitted: someone has entered a caveat, or a caseworker has found an error and needs more information. In August 2026, a stopped online application took 11.7 weeks against 1.7 weeks for one that wasn't stopped. That's 6.9 times as long.

The parts you control are in steps 2 to 7: the right will, values that add up, every applicant signed, and documents sent promptly. If HMCTS does stop it, reply as fast as you can, because the clock keeps running while it waits.

Source: HMCTS management information, August 2026. See how long probate takes for the monthly figures.

9. Track it, then use the grant

Sign in to the probate service to track your application. When the grant arrives, send copies to the banks and other organisations holding the person's money, then deal with the estate: debts and tax first, a notice in The Gazette giving creditors 2 months, then share out what's left. See what the grant lets you do.

Applying by post instead

Use form PA1P if there's a will or PA1A if there isn't. gov.uk says paper applications take longer. HMCTS's own figures for August 2026 agree: 16.4 weeks on average, against 4.4 weeks online.

Getting help

For problems with the online service, contact the Courts and Tribunals Service Centre on 0300 303 0648, Monday to Friday, 9am to 1pm, or email contactprobate@justice.gov.uk.

A solicitor or other probate practitioner is worth paying when the estate is disputed, someone has entered a caveat, or there's a trust, property abroad, a business, or Inheritance Tax to work out.

Source: gov.uk, apply for probate, checked 11 October 2026.