How to find a will
How to get a copy of probate
Written and reviewed by our experienced team. Checked against GOV.UK on 16 August 2026. ProbateCheck is an independent service, not a law firm.
To get a copy of probate in England and Wales, search the public probate index for the person's name and year, then order the record. The search is free. The official copy of the grant of probate (and the will, where one was proved) costs £16 from GOV.UK. If no grant exists yet, lodge a £4 standing search. Or we obtain the documents and explain them for £29.
Do it yourself
Search the probate index
Enter the full name and year of death. Records are filed under the year the grant was issued, so also search the year after.
Order the copy
When you find the right person, a copy of the grant and the will costs £16 from GOV.UK. New records appear online around two weeks after a grant is issued.
If nothing shows, lodge a standing search
A standing search costs £4 and lasts six months. If a grant is issued in that time, the documents are sent to you automatically.
| Service | Fee | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Search the probate index | Free | gov.uk/search-will-probate |
| Copy of a will or grant (online) | £16 | gov.uk (from 17 Nov 2025) |
| Standing search (6 months) | £4 | gov.uk, form PA1S |
| Search by post (form PA1S) | £16 | gov.uk |
| ProbateCheck managed search | £29 | search + copy + explanation, done for you |
Grant and will come together
The £16 official copy is one probate record: the grant of probate or letters of administration, plus the will where one was proved. You do not pay twice for those two documents.
Let us do the whole search, £29 all in
We search every name variation across the correct index years, obtain the grant and the will, lodge a standing search if no grant exists yet, and explain it all in plain English. Government fees included.
Start with a free checkFrequently asked questions
How do I get a copy of a grant of probate?+
Search the England and Wales probate records by name and year, then order the record from GOV.UK for £16. Searching is free. If probate has not been granted yet, use a £4 standing search.
Can I get a copy of probate online?+
Yes. The official online service is gov.uk/search-will-probate. Search for free and order the copy for £16. We can do that for you, including name variations and a standing search, for £29.
How long does a copy of probate take?+
New records typically become available around two weeks after a grant is issued. An online order is usually faster than posting form PA1S. Postal responses can take a few weeks.