Quick answer
In the UK, you can find out whether probate has been granted for someone’s estate using the free gov.uk Find a Will service at gov.uk/search-will-probate. You can search by the deceased’s surname and year of death (records since 1996 are searchable online; earlier records require contacting HM Courts & Tribunals Service). The search returns the grant of probate or letters of administration if one has been issued, and you can order a digital copy of the will + grant for £1.50. If no probate has been issued, the search will show nothing — though probate can be deliberately delayed (some small estates don’t need it; some estates are administered without formal probate where assets are below institutional thresholds). This guide explains how to check whether UK probate has been granted in 2026, how to read the results, and what it means if probate hasn’t been issued yet.
Last reviewed: 24 May 2026 by the MP Estate Planning editorial team. Jurisdiction: England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland have different probate and intestacy rules; the IHT thresholds are UK-wide.
Three rule changes you may need to consider (2026/27)
1. Pensions become subject to IHT from 6 April 2027. Most unused defined-contribution pension pots currently sit outside the estate for IHT — that ends on 6 April 2027 (gov.uk policy paper). HMRC estimates around 10,500 estates will face IHT for the first time as a result.
2. Business and agricultural property reliefs capped at £2.5m per person from 6 April 2026. Above the cap, only 50% relief applies — effective IHT of 20%. AIM shares dropped to 50% relief and do not use the £2.5m allowance (Saffery — APR/BPR reforms).
3. The NRB, RNRB and £2m taper threshold are frozen until 5 April 2031 following the 2024 and 2025 Budgets (gov.uk — NRB and RNRB freeze). With inflation, more estates will be pulled into IHT each year — a process commonly called “fiscal drag.”
It’s vital to know if probate has been granted when dealing with a deceased person’s estate. Probate lets the legal team manage the person’s property, money, and items. You can find a new probate record online about 14 days after it’s given out.
Probate records from 1858 to 1996 are searchable online. But, they’re listed by the year the grant was given, not the year of death. It’s key to check the type of grant when searching, as not all records have a will.
Key Takeaways
- Probate is often not issued until six months after a death in England and Wales.
- A standing search can be made to receive the relevant documentation when probate is granted.
- Open communication is the easiest way to find out if probate has been granted, but it may not always be feasible.
- A Grant of Probate is almost always needed when the deceased leaves assets such as around £20,000 in any one account, stocks or shares, certain insurance policies, or property/land held in their name.
- Executors can apply for probate if named in the Will, and up to four administrators can apply for letters of administration in case of no Will.
How to Find Out if Probate Has Been Granted
Finding out if probate has been granted is key in managing an estate. You can use the government’s Probate Records Search Service to check. Just enter the deceased’s name and date of death. You’ll see if probate was granted and can get a copy of the grant and will for a small fee.
Standing Search for Probate
If probate hasn’t been granted, you can ask for a ‘standing search’ at the Probate Registry. This lets the registry tell you when the grant is ready. You’ll get a copy then. The search is valid for 6 months and might need renewing if the grant takes longer.
These easy steps help you find out about probate and get the documents you need. Whether you’re looking for how to search for probate records, doing an online probate search, or using the probate registry, these methods make it clear how to request a probate search.
The Importance of Knowing if Probate Has Been Granted
Knowing if probate has been granted is key for several reasons. It’s vital for those wanting to challenge a will under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975. They have six months from the grant date to make their claim. Also, once granted, the estate’s executors can sell property and cash in assets, then give out legacies to the heirs.
The probate grant includes crucial details like the deceased’s and executor’s info, the will’s date, the grant date, and the estate’s value. This info is essential for managing the estate. It shows the deceased’s finances and gives executors legal power.
Figuring out the estate’s value means looking at property, cash, bank accounts, stocks, valuables, and debts. Executors can use Zoopla, RightMove, local agents, or RICS surveyors to value property. Gifts made in the last 7 years might be taxed and affect the estate’s value, which is key for administration.
Probate solicitors, like ours at MP Estate Planning, can help with valuing the estate and applying for probate. We make estate administration smoother, especially with complex claims or will challenges.
- The NBS offers free probate support services to all UK residents.
- UK callers can reach The NBS at 0800 0246 121, and international callers can contact them at 0191 656 3201.
- The company number for The NBS is 09333323.
- Grant of Probate is needed most of the time, especially for property.
- A Grant of Probate confirms the executor’s legal right to manage the deceased’s estate.
- Typically, executors get the Grant of Probate within eight weeks of applying.
Conclusion
Finding out if probate has been granted is key in managing an estate. You can check online or request a search to see if the grant is in place. It’s vital for executors, beneficiaries, and anyone with an interest in the estate to understand this process.
If you need help with probate or planning an estate, MP Estate Planning is here for you. Our skilled solicitors are experts in the probate process. They ensure your rights are protected and your estate is handled well. Book a consultation with us today.
How to Search Probate Records Online in England and Wales
The most straightforward way to find out whether probate has been granted is to use the official GOV.UK probate search service. This free tool allows anyone to search for a grant of probate or letters of administration without needing to give a reason for their search. Probate records are a matter of public record once a grant has been issued, so in most cases no special entitlement is required to view them.
What the Online Search Covers
The GOV.UK probate search tool typically covers grants issued from 1996 onwards. If you are searching for a grant made before that date, you will generally need to make a written request to the Leeds District Probate Registry, which holds historical records going back to 1858. It is worth being aware of this boundary before you begin, as an unsuccessful online search does not necessarily mean probate was never granted — it may simply fall outside the digital records currently available.
Before searching, you will usually need to have the following information to hand: the full legal name of the deceased, their date of death, and — where possible — the approximate date on which you believe a grant may have been issued. Using an incomplete or informal name may return no results even where a grant exists, so it is worth trying any known name variations.
Tracking an In-Progress Probate Application
If you are the executor or administrator and have already submitted an application, you can typically monitor its progress by logging in to your HMCTS online probate account. This will show the current status of your application and any correspondence or requirements raised by the registry. In our experience, applicants sometimes overlook the account portal and instead rely on telephone updates, which can be slower and less reliable during busy periods.
What a Successful Search Result Actually Means for You
Finding that probate has been granted confirms the executor has legal authority to administer the estate. However, this alone does not tell you whether the estate has been distributed, whether you have been named as a beneficiary, or whether the assets have been correctly applied. If you have located a grant but have not been contacted by the executor, it may be appropriate to seek independent legal advice — particularly if you believe you may have an interest in the estate. Our team can help you understand the next steps in that situation and, where necessary, direct you to a regulated solicitor.
Common Questions About Checking Probate Status
How do I check the status of my probate application UK?
If you submitted your application through the HMCTS online portal, you can log back in to your account at any time to view the current status. For applications submitted by post, the registry will typically write to you if further information is needed. Current HMCTS probate processing times in 2024 to 2025 are widely cited as running between 8 and 16 weeks from the date a complete application is received, though straightforward applications can sometimes be concluded sooner. If your application has been with the registry for longer than this without update, contacting the HMCTS probate helpline is generally advisable.
Can you check if an estate is in probate?
Yes, in most cases you can. Once a grant of probate or letters of administration has been issued, it becomes a public record searchable via the GOV.UK tool. However, if an application has been submitted but not yet determined, it will not appear in the public search results. In that situation, a standing search — a formal request to be notified if a grant is made within the next 12 months — may be more appropriate than a standard one-off lookup.
How to find out if a will went to probate?
Searching the GOV.UK probate records service is the most practical starting point. If a grant is found, you can typically also order a copy of the will itself, as it becomes a public document upon grant. Records before 1996 are held by the Leeds District Probate Registry and must be requested in writing. Not all estates require probate — smaller estates or those held in joint names may have been administered without a formal grant — so the absence of a result does not automatically confirm that no estate was administered.
Can you see if probate has been granted?
Yes. The public probate search covers grants issued from 1996 onwards and is accessible to anyone without charge. For older records, a postal request to the Leeds District Probate Registry is required. Where a grant is found, the search result will confirm the name of the executor or administrator, the date the grant was issued, and the gross value of the estate as declared at the time of application.
How to check if probate has issued?
The terminology used by HMCTS is that probate has issued once the grant document has been formally sealed and sent to the applicant. The most reliable way to confirm this has happened is either to search the public records via GOV.UK — typically updated within a short period of issue — or, if you are the applicant, to check your HMCTS online account or await the physical grant document by post. In our experience, delays in postal delivery can occasionally mean the online record updates before the physical document arrives.