Last Updated on 15th April 2025
Has probate been granted? This is how you can find out.
We specialise in contested wills and inheritance disputes. The first step in these cases is often to find out if probate has been granted and obtain a copy of the will if required. If you need help with your investigations, or wish to appoint a solicitor to make a claim on your behalf, then you can call our legal helpline for a FREE CONSULTATION on 0333 888 0407, or send details to us by email.
The time limit for making an Inheritance Act claim is six months from the date that probate was granted. Given the crucial importance of this key date it is no surprise that one of the most common questions we are asked is, ‘How can I find out if probate has been granted?’
In this article we take a look at how to find out out if probate has been granted, and, if it has, how to get a copy of it. We also look at what to do if probate hasn’t yet been granted. But we start by clarifying what ‘probate’ actually is.
What is probate?
A Grant of Probate (also known as a Grant of Representation or Grant of Letters of Administration) is a document issued by the Probate Registry. It authorises the executors of a will (also known as personal representatives) or the administrators of an intestate estate (where someone has died without leaving a will) to administer the estate of the deceased person.
Why is it helpful to have a copy of the Grant of Probate?
When we are approached by individuals with potential claims against an estate we often need to check if probate has been granted and if it has, requisition a copy of the Grant.
The Grant of Probate contains crucial information, including:
- The date of death. This is relevant to the timing of the personal representatives’ duties;
- The domicile of the deceased. Domicile is relevant for claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, as the deceased must have been domiciled in England or Wales.
- Whether the deceased died leaving a Will, or died intestate.
- The identity of the executors or administrators. They will often be the defendants to the claim.
- The net value of the estate, which is highly relevant to most contentious probate claims; and
- The date that probate was granted. As explained above, this is fundamental to claims under the Inheritance Act as the deadline for those claims is six months from the date the Grant was issued. Ascertaining the date of the Grant also provides a useful indication of when the estate has or will be distributed.
How to find out if probate has been granted
The quickest and easiest way to check if probate has been granted is via the government website https://probatesearch.service.gov.uk/#wills.
If probate has been granted, you can obtain a copy of the Grant and the will (if there is one). It costs £1.50 per copy to download online (correct as at February 2025).
What can I do if probate has not been granted?
If probate has not been granted, you can enter a ‘standing search’. This will remain in place for six months, during which time you will be alerted as soon as probate is granted. You can find an explanation on how to enter a standing search via this link https://www.inheritancedisputes.co.uk/news-articles/how-find-will-and-other-probate-preliminaries.html
How we can help
If you are wondering, ‘How can I find out if probate has been granted?’ and would like help from our specialist lawyers then you can contact our dedicated helpline for a free consultation. We are often able to work on a No Win, No Fee basis if there is sufficient evidence to support a claim. Where investigatory work needs to be carried out on a preliminary basis we can agree to work to an agreed fee limit, so that your liability for legal costs is not open ended and can be properly budgeted.
Call us on 0333 888 0407 or email us at [email protected]