Once you have submitted a probate application to HMCTS, the most common question executors and administrators ask is: where is it now? This guide explains how to track your probate application, what the typical processing timeline looks like in 2026, and what you can do if your application appears to have stalled.
Plain-English guide written by Simon Jenkins — covering every stage of the probate process.
How HMCTS Processes Probate Applications
Probate applications in England and Wales are processed by His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) Probate Service. Applications submitted online via the MyHMCTS portal (used by solicitors) or the government’s online probate service (used by personal applicants) are processed digitally. Paper applications sent by post to a probate registry take longer as they require manual processing.
The process broadly follows this sequence: application received and logged; application checked for completeness; the original will (if any) and supporting documents verified; IHT position confirmed with HMRC; oath or statement of truth confirmed; grant issued and dispatched. Each stage can introduce delays, particularly where documents are missing or the IHT position requires clarification.
Typical Processing Times in 2026
For online applications, HMCTS currently takes approximately twelve weeks from receipt of the completed application to issuing the grant of probate or letters of administration. This is an average — straightforward estates with no IHT complications and a valid will may be processed faster, while complex estates, disputed applications, or those requiring additional HMRC clearance can take considerably longer.
Paper applications submitted by post take longer than online applications as a matter of routine. Executors dealing with a time-sensitive estate — for example, where a property sale is waiting on the grant — should prioritise submitting electronically and instructing a solicitor who can use the MyHMCTS professional portal. See our overview of what probate is for more background on the process.
How Solicitors Track Applications via MyHMCTS
Solicitors and probate practitioners submit applications through MyHMCTS, HMCTS’s professional case management portal. Once submitted, the portal displays the case status and any queries raised by HMCTS caseworkers. Solicitors can view whether an application is under review, whether documents have been requested, and whether the grant has been issued.
One significant advantage of instructing a solicitor is that they receive caseworker queries directly and can respond quickly, preventing delays that would otherwise require the applicant to be contacted by post. A query left unanswered for several weeks can add months to the overall timeline. If you have instructed Curtis Legal, your case handler will update you as the application progresses and respond to any HMCTS queries on your behalf.
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How Personal Applicants Can Check Their Application
If you applied personally using the government’s online probate service, you can log back into your account at any time to check the application status. The portal shows whether your application has been received, whether it is under review, and whether the grant has been issued.
If the online status is unclear or has not updated for several weeks, you can contact the HMCTS Probate Service by email. The relevant email address and contact details are available on the GOV.UK probate pages. When contacting HMCTS, always quote your unique case reference number — this is issued when you submit the application and appears in your confirmation email. Without the reference number, caseworkers cannot locate your file quickly.
Common Reasons for Delays
Most delays in probate applications fall into a small number of categories. Understanding which applies to your case helps you take targeted action rather than simply waiting.
Missing or defective documents. The most frequent cause of delay is a missing original will, an unsigned statement of truth, or a supporting document that does not match the information in the application. HMCTS will issue a query letter or caseworker note asking for the missing item. If this is not responded to promptly, the application is paused indefinitely.
IHT clearance pending. Where the estate is above the IHT threshold, HMCTS will confirm with HMRC that the IHT position has been addressed before issuing the grant. If IHT400 has not been submitted or payment has not been made, probate cannot proceed. Read our guide on inheritance tax and probate for a detailed explanation of this interaction.
HMCTS workload fluctuations. Processing times vary with the volume of applications received nationally. Historically, applications submitted in the months following a busy period — such as after a public information campaign about making wills — take longer than average. There is no expedited service available to personal applicants for standard cases.
Disputed applications or caveats. If someone has lodged a caveat against the estate — effectively a formal objection to the grant being issued — the application is automatically put on hold. A caveat can be lodged by any person who has an interest in the estate, and it prevents the grant from issuing for six months. Solicitors can enter a warning against the caveat, which then requires the caveator to substantiate their interest or allow the caveat to lapse.
What Happens After the Grant Is Issued
Once HMCTS issues the grant of probate (or letters of administration), sealed copies are dispatched to the applicant or their solicitor. Most executors request multiple sealed copies — banks, property registries, and financial institutions each need an original sealed copy to action their requests. There is a fee for each copy, currently a modest sum per copy beyond the first, which is set out in the current HMCTS probate fees schedule.
The grant is the document that gives executors formal legal authority to deal with the estate. With the grant in hand, executors can close bank accounts, transfer or sell property, collect insurance proceeds, and begin distributing the estate to beneficiaries in accordance with the will or the rules of intestacy. See our guide on how long probate takes from grant to distribution for what comes next.
Can You Speed Up a Probate Application?
For most standard applications, there is no mechanism to request priority processing from HMCTS. The most effective ways to minimise the overall timeline are to submit online rather than by post, to ensure all documents are correct and complete before submission, to have IHT sorted before submitting the probate application, and to respond to any HMCTS queries within days rather than weeks.
Where an executor can demonstrate exceptional urgency — for example, where a property sale will fall through without the grant — it may be possible to contact the probate registry directly to explain the circumstances. This is handled on a case-by-case basis and is not guaranteed. Instructing a solicitor who has a direct line of communication with the probate service can make a material difference in these situations.
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📊 Get Fee EstimateDo I Need a Solicitor to Apply for Probate?
Personal applicants can apply for probate directly without a solicitor. However, for estates involving property, inheritance tax, business interests, or any complexity, professional assistance significantly reduces the risk of delays caused by errors or omissions in the application. A solicitor also takes on the legal responsibility for the application and deals with HMCTS queries without needing to come back to you at each stage.
Simon Jenkins at Curtis Legal advises executors at every stage of the probate process — from valuing the estate and submitting IHT400 through to applying for the grant and distributing assets to beneficiaries. Call 0800 214 216 for a no-obligation discussion about your application.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between PA1P and PA1A?
PA1P is the probate application form used when the deceased left a valid will — the P stands for probate. PA1A is used when there is no will and the estate passes under the intestacy rules — the A stands for administration. Both forms are available on GOV.UK and can be submitted online or by post.
How do I find my probate case reference number?
Your case reference number is included in the confirmation email sent by HMCTS when your application is received. If you applied online, it also appears in your online account dashboard. If you have lost this number, quote the deceased’s full name and date of death when contacting HMCTS — caseworkers can locate the file using these details, though it takes longer.
My application has been showing as “under review” for three months — is this normal?
Three months under review without any update or query from HMCTS is on the longer side of average but not unusual. Check whether there are any unanswered queries on your account. If not, contact HMCTS directly via email, quoting your case reference number, and ask for a status update. Most registries respond to status enquiries within five to ten working days.
Can I start dealing with the estate before the grant is issued?
You can take some preparatory steps before the grant — registering the death, notifying organisations, obtaining valuations, and submitting IHT400. However, you cannot legally collect or transfer estate assets (other than via the HMRC Direct Payment Scheme for IHT) until the grant is in hand. Acting prematurely as executor without the grant can expose you to personal liability.
How many sealed copies of the grant do I need?
There is no fixed rule, but most executors request at least four to six sealed copies. Each bank, building society, investment platform, and the Land Registry will typically require one original sealed copy each. Requesting too few copies at the outset means applying for additional copies later, which adds time and cost. Your solicitor will advise on the appropriate number based on the assets in the estate.
What is a caveat and how does it affect my application?
A caveat is a formal notice lodged with the probate registry by a person who wishes to prevent the grant of probate from being issued — for example, someone who believes the will is invalid or that they have been unfairly excluded from the estate. Once a caveat is lodged, probate cannot proceed until it is withdrawn or expires. Executors faced with a caveat should seek immediate legal advice, as there are formal procedural steps for challenging it.
