Understanding a grant
Grant of representation: the three types compared
Written and reviewed by our experienced team. Checked against GOV.UK and the sources listed at the end on 15 September 2026. ProbateCheck is an independent service, not a law firm.
A grant of representation is the court document that gives someone authority to deal with a deceased person's estate in England and Wales. There are three types: a grant of probate (a valid will names an executor who can act), letters of administration (no will, so the closest relative applies on form PA1A), and letters of administration with will annexed (a will exists but no executor can act). All three carry the same £526 application fee, appear in the same public probate index, and a copy costs £16. Checked 15 September 2026.
| Grant of probate | Letters of administration | Letters of administration with will annexed | |
|---|---|---|---|
| When | There is a valid will and it names an executor who is able and willing to act | There is no valid will | There is a will, but it names no executor or the named executor cannot or will not act |
| Who applies | The executor(s) named in the will or a codicil, up to four | The closest living relative: spouse or civil partner first, then children over 18 (GOV.UK) | The person entitled under the will, usually a beneficiary |
| What they are called | Executor | Administrator | Administrator |
| Paper form | PA1P | PA1A | PA1P (the will is sent with it) |
| Fee | £526 over £5,000 | £526 over £5,000 | £526 over £5,000 |
| Who inherits | The beneficiaries in the will | Set by the intestacy rules | The beneficiaries in the will |
| In the public index | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Copy fee | £16 | £16 | £16 |
Grant of probate
Issued when the person left a valid will and it names an executor able to act. GOV.UK: "You can apply for probate if you're named as an executor in either the will or an update to it (known as a 'codicil')." The original will goes in with the application and is kept by the registry, which is why a will becomes a public document once probate is granted.
Letters of administration
Issued when there is no will. GOV.UK: "If there's not a will, the closest living relative can apply", starting with the husband, wife or civil partner (even if separated) and then children aged 18 or over; an unmarried partner cannot apply. The applicant becomes the administrator and the estate passes under the intestacy rules, including the £322,000 statutory legacy for a surviving spouse where there are children. More on letters of administration and who inherits without a will.
Letters of administration with will annexed
Issued where a will exists but nobody named in it can take the grant: no executor was appointed, the executor has died or cannot act, or every executor has renounced on form PA15. GOV.UK: where there is no substitute and no other executor, "another 'entitled' person will need to apply", which is any beneficiary of the will who wants to. The will still governs who inherits; only the person administering it changes.
For searching purposes the distinction does not matter
Whichever grant was issued, it is in the same public index about 14 days after issue, and the record shows whether a will was proved. If any grant exists, there is a public document you can find and order.
Frequently asked questions
What is a grant of representation?+
The umbrella term for the court document that authorises someone to deal with a deceased person's estate: a grant of probate, letters of administration, or letters of administration with will annexed.
What is the difference between probate and letters of administration?+
A grant of probate goes to the executor named in a valid will. Letters of administration go to the closest relative when there is no will (or with the will annexed when there is a will but no executor able to act). Both give the same authority, cost the same fee and appear in the same public records.
Do letters of administration appear in the probate records?+
Yes. They are a grant of representation and appear in the same public index as a grant of probate, about 14 days after issue. A copy costs £16.
Who can apply for letters of administration?+
The closest living relative: the husband, wife or civil partner first (including if separated), then children aged 18 or over. GOV.UK says an unmarried partner cannot apply.
Is the fee different for letters of administration?+
No. The application fee is £526 for any grant where the estate is over £5,000, from 13 July 2026.
What is 'with will annexed'?+
A grant of letters of administration issued where there is a valid will but no executor able to act, so an entitled beneficiary administers the estate according to the will.
Sources checked for this guide
- GOV.UK, Applying for probate: what is probate (read 15 September 2026)
- GOV.UK, Applying for probate: if there's a will (read 15 September 2026)
- GOV.UK, Applying for probate: if there is not a will (read 15 September 2026)
- GOV.UK, Applying for probate: after you've applied (read 15 September 2026)
- GOV.UK, Applying for probate: fees (read 15 September 2026)
- GOV.UK, Search probate records for documents and wills (England and Wales) (read 15 September 2026)
- The Administration of Estates Act 1925 (Fixed Net Sum) Order 2023, SI 2023/758 (in force 26 July 2023) (read 15 September 2026)