How to Apply for a Grant of Probate in the UK — 2026 Step-by-Step Guide

Before completing the HMRC forms, you need a full valuation of the estate at the date of death. This includes: property (using a RICS-qualified surveyor); bank and building society accounts (written date-of-death balance from each institution); investments and shares (date-of-death values from the registrar or broker); life insurance policies not written in trust; personal possessions of significant value; and outstanding debts — mortgage, credit cards, loans, utility bills, funeral costs — which reduce the net estate value. Allow two to four weeks for banks to respond and one to two weeks for property valuations from instruction.

Simple Estates — Online Estate Report

Where the estate is clearly below the inheritance tax threshold — the £325,000 nil-rate band, or up to £500,000 where the residence nil-rate band of £175,000 applies — most executors can complete an online estate report through the MyHMCTS probate portal without a separate IHT400 submission to HMRC.

Complex or Taxable Estates — IHT400

Where the estate is above the threshold, involves business or agricultural property, foreign assets, trusts, or lifetime gifts within seven years of death, form IHT400 must be completed with the relevant supplementary schedules and submitted directly to HMRC. HMRC will issue a receipt used as part of the probate application. The IHT400 must be submitted within 12 months of the end of the month of death.

Inheritance tax must be paid by the end of the sixth month after the month of death. Three practical routes: the Direct Payment Scheme (IHT423) allows the deceased’s bank to pay HMRC directly from estate accounts before the Grant is issued; the instalment option allows tax attributable to property to be paid over up to 10 years; or a specialist IHT loan can bridge the gap. See our full guide on paying inheritance tax before probate.

Online via MyHMCTS (Recommended)

Complete the PA1P questions online, upload supporting documents including the original will, and pay the court fee digitally. Online applications are processed in approximately 12 weeks. Paper applications take considerably longer and should be avoided unless online submission is genuinely not possible.

The Court Fee

The probate court fee is £300 for estates valued above £5,000. No fee for estates of £5,000 or below. Additional sealed copies of the Grant cost £1.50 each — you will need several, as most banks, the Land Registry, and other institutions require an original sealed copy each.

The Statement of Truth

Each applying executor signs a statement of truth — a formal declaration that the information provided is accurate and complete. This replaced the requirement to attend court and swear a formal oath in 2020. Making a false statement of truth is a criminal offence.

Online applications can be tracked through the MyHMCTS portal. HMCTS may raise requisitions — formal queries requiring a response before processing can continue. Common reasons include discrepancies in the estate valuation, questions about the will’s execution, or missing documents. Respond to requisitions promptly — every day of delay extends the time before the Grant is issued. See our guide on how to track a probate application.

When HMCTS is satisfied, it issues the Grant of Probate. You receive the original Grant plus the number of sealed copies you requested. Executors can then collect assets, close accounts, sell investments, transfer or sell property, and pay debts. See our overview of what probate is for a summary of the full administration process that follows.