Probate Waiting Times in the UK: What to Expect in 2026

Most people applying for probate in England and Wales in 2026 receive their grant within 16 weeks of HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) receiving a complete application. Digital applications are generally quickest, while paper applications and anything that needs extra checks routinely take 24 weeks or more. This guide sets out current probate waiting times in 2026, what drives the delays, and exactly when and how to chase.

Here is a realistic snapshot of what families are seeing this year.

The current picture in 2026

HMCTS publishes average timescales for the probate service, and its headline measure is the time from a complete application being received to the grant being issued. Through 2026 that average has settled at around 16 weeks for straightforward cases where nothing further is needed. The figure is an average, not a promise: simple digital applications can clear in as little as 10 to 12 weeks, while complex or contested matters take far longer.

The single biggest split is digital versus paper. Solicitors and most personal applicants now use the online probate service, which validates the application as it is submitted and tends to move faster. Paper applications on form PA1P (where there is a will) or PA1A (where there is not) are slower to process and are more likely to be held up by minor errors. If you have a choice, the digital route is usually the quicker one.

What the probate timeline actually looks like

It helps to see where the waiting happens. A typical estate moves through these stages, and only one of them is the registry queue itself.

1. Registering the death and gathering information (2 to 6 weeks): obtaining the death certificate, locating the will, and listing assets and debts.
2. Valuing the estate (4 to 12 weeks): writing to banks, pension providers and asset holders, and valuing any property.
3. Inheritance tax (where relevant): if a full IHT account is needed you must submit it and, for most estates, wait 20 working days before applying for the grant.
4. The probate application (12 to 24 weeks): the part most people mean by probate waiting times, sitting in the registry queue.
5. Collecting in and distributing the estate (2 to 6 months): closing accounts, selling or transferring property, settling debts and paying beneficiaries.

Understanding the full picture matters, because chasing the registry will not speed up a valuation that has not been completed. If you want the detail on the overall journey, see our guide to how long probate takes from start to finish.

What causes probate delays

Most delays are avoidable. In 2026 the recurring culprits are:

• Stopped applications. If the registry spots an error or needs more information it “stops” the case and writes to you. The clock effectively pauses until you respond, which can add months.
• Inheritance tax timing. You cannot apply for the grant until HMRC has processed a full IHT account and the 20 working day waiting period has passed. Submitting the IHT account late pushes everything back.
• The original will. The registry needs the original will, not a copy. A lost or damaged will, or one with staple holes or handwriting on it, triggers extra questions.
• Name and value mismatches. Differences between the name on the death certificate, the will and the application are a common reason for a stop.
• Complex or foreign assets. Business interests, trusts, agricultural property or assets abroad all add valuation time before you even apply.

When to chase HMCTS, and how

There is a sensible rhythm to chasing. Contacting the registry too early wastes your time and theirs; leaving it too long lets a stopped case drift.

• Weeks 1 to 8: do not chase. The application is in the normal queue. Use this time to progress the estate administration in the background.
• Week 12: if you have heard nothing, it is reasonable to check progress, especially for a digital application.
• Week 16 and beyond: if you are past the published average with no update, chase in earnest and keep a written record of every contact.

You can contact the HMCTS Probate helpline on 0300 303 0648, or use the online service to send a secure message and to track your probate application online. Have your application reference to hand. If your case has been stopped, respond to the exact query raised as quickly and completely as possible, as a partial reply simply restarts the wait.

How to avoid delays before you apply

The best time to protect against a long wait is before you press submit.

• Value the estate carefully and keep evidence for every figure.
• Check that names and dates match exactly across the will, death certificate and application.
• Submit any inheritance tax account early and diarise the 20 working day wait.
• Keep the original will safe and unmarked, and never remove or add staples.
• Use the digital service where you can, and double-check every field before submitting.

Delays are frustrating at an already difficult time. Working through the probate process methodically, and getting the application right first time, is the most reliable way to keep the timeline short.

Speak to Curtis Legal’s probate specialists

If your application has stalled, or you would rather hand the whole process to a specialist, our probate team can take it on and deal with HMCTS on your behalf. We are based in Torfaen and act for families across South Wales and beyond. Call 0800 214 216 for a same-day callback, and we will tell you honestly where your case stands and what happens next.

About the author

Written by Simon Jenkins, Director and Solicitor at Curtis Legal. SRA 167489. Firm SRA 450129. Simon has advised families across Torfaen and South Wales on probate and estate administration for more than two decades, and leads the Curtis Legal private client team. He writes on probate to help families understand a process that too often feels opaque.

This article is general information about the law in England and Wales and is not a substitute for tailored legal advice. For guidance on your circumstances, please contact us. Sources: GOV.UK guidance on applying for probate and HM Courts and Tribunals Service.