The HMCTS probate application fee changed significantly in 2026, and many executors are still working from out-of-date figures. As of 13 July 2026, the standard fee for applying for a grant of probate or letters of administration is £526, up from the previous £300. Estates worth £5,000 or less continue to pay no fee at all. This guide explains exactly what you will pay, when, and how to keep the cost down.
Plain-English guide written by Simon Jenkins — covering every stage of the probate process.
How much is the probate application fee in 2026?
If the estate is valued at more than £5,000, the fee to apply for probate is £526. This is a flat fee regardless of the size of the estate above that threshold, so a £50,000 estate and a £5 million estate pay exactly the same court fee. If the estate is worth £5,000 or less, no fee is payable at all. The fee is paid once, when the application is submitted to the Probate Registry, whether you apply online or on paper.
Why did the fee rise from £300 to £526?
The increase took effect on 13 July 2026 and was introduced to move probate fees closer to the real cost of running the service, following a wider review of court and tribunal fees. The government’s position, confirmed in its July 2026 court and tribunal fee update, is that the fee reflects rising costs and ongoing investment in the probate service rather than being linked to the value of the estate.
Extra copies of the grant: £2 versus £16
You will often need more than one copy of the grant, for example to deal with several banks or share registrars at once. If you order extra copies at the same time as your original application, each one costs £2. If you wait and order them later, after the grant has already been issued, each copy costs £16. Ordering the copies you expect to need at the outset is a simple way to avoid paying more than you have to.
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Help with fees
If you are on a low income or receive certain benefits, you may be able to get help paying the probate fee through the government’s Help with Fees scheme. You can apply online or complete form EX160 before submitting your probate application. The exact level of help depends on your income, savings and household circumstances, and the full eligibility criteria are set out on the official GOV.UK probate fees page.
What if probate has already been granted and you need a second application?
Occasionally a second grant is needed for the same estate, for example where further assets come to light after the original grant was issued. A second application in these circumstances costs £22 rather than the full £526.
The court fee is only part of the cost
The HMCTS fee covers only the Probate Registry’s processing of the application. It does not include solicitors’ fees, inheritance tax, or the cost of valuing assets. If you are comparing quotes for professional help, our guide to fixed fee probate explains exactly what should be included in a transparent quote, and what is often charged as an extra on top.
How Curtis Legal can help
We offer clear, fixed-fee probate services so you know from the outset what you will pay in professional fees, in addition to the court fee set by HMCTS. Read more about the wider probate process, or get in touch for a quote tailored to your estate.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the probate application fee in 2026?
The fee is £526 for estates worth more than £5,000, payable once when the application is submitted. Estates worth £5,000 or less pay no fee, a position confirmed on GOV.UK and unchanged since the 13 July 2026 fee increase.
When did the probate fee increase to £526?
The fee rose from £300 to £526 on 13 July 2026, as part of a wider update to court and tribunal fees.
Do I pay the probate fee if the estate is small?
No. If the estate is valued at £5,000 or less, there is no fee to apply for probate.
How much do extra copies of the grant cost?
Extra copies ordered with your original application cost £2 each. Copies ordered after the grant has already been issued cost £16 each.
Can I get help paying the probate fee?
Yes. If you have a low income or receive certain benefits you may qualify for the government’s Help with Fees scheme, applied for online or using form EX160 before you submit your probate application.
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For a clear, fixed-fee quote that sets out exactly what you will pay on top of the HMCTS court fee, call us on 0800 214 216 for a same-day callback.
Written by Simon Jenkins, solicitor and director of Curtis Legal Limited (Simon Jenkins SRA 167489; Curtis Legal Limited SRA 450129).
