Probate Registry Fee Calculator

The probate application fee is £273 for estates worth more than £5,000. Estates under £5,000 are free. Additional copies of the Grant of Probate cost £1.50 each. Note: Scotland uses 'Confirmation' with different fees.

A Grant of Probate is a legal document issued by the Probate Registry that confirms the executor's authority to deal with the deceased's estate — closing accounts, selling property, and distributing assets to beneficiaries.

Probate is not required if: assets are jointly owned (passes by survivorship), assets are in trust, accounts are held jointly, or the total estate is under £5,000–£10,000 (banks have discretion to release without probate).

A straightforward application takes 8–16 weeks from submission to grant. Complex estates with IHT, disputes, or foreign assets can take 12–24 months. Online applications are faster than paper applications.

Yes. For taxable estates, at least 10% of the IHT must be paid before HMRC issues the clearance certificate needed to obtain the Grant of Probate. Banks can release funds to pay IHT before probate in some cases.

Solicitors typically charge 1–3% of the estate value, or a fixed fee of £1,500–£5,000+ for simpler estates. Some charge by the hour (£200–£350/hour). Online probate specialists may charge £200–£800 as a fixed fee.

Yes. Online probate applications are straightforward for simple estates with a will, no complex assets, and minimal IHT issues. The Probate Registry's online service guides you through the process.

Publishing notices in the London Gazette and local newspapers invites creditors to come forward within a set period. This protects executors from personal liability if unknown creditors emerge after the estate is distributed.

Letters of Administration is the equivalent of Grant of Probate but for intestate estates (where there's no will). An administrator (usually the next of kin) applies instead of an executor.

A minimum of 4–6 certified copies is recommended — one for each major financial institution (bank, ISA provider, pension, HMRC). Additional copies can always be ordered later but cost £20 each if ordered separately.

ISAs lose their tax-free status 3 years after death (or when the estate is closed, if sooner). The surviving spouse gets an Additional Permitted Subscription equal to the ISA value. Other beneficiaries receive the cash value subject to normal tax rules.

In Scotland, the equivalent of probate is 'Confirmation,' obtained from the Sheriff Court. The fee is calculated at £260 for estates up to £250,000, then £20 per additional £5,000. A Solicitor typically handles this.