Searching records
How to search probate records by name
Written and reviewed by our experienced team. Last verified against gov.uk on 26 July 2026. ProbateCheck is an independent service, not a law firm.
To search probate records by name, enter the person's surname and the year they died in the public index. Searching is free. Check the year of death and the year after, and try name variations such as maiden names and initials. When you find the record, a copy costs £16.
Getting the name right
- Start with the surname and year of death.
- Add a first name to narrow a common surname.
- Try maiden names and previous married names.
- Try a middle name used as a first name, and initials.
Exact-name matching is the biggest cause of a false blank. If a name search finds nothing, read why a search finds nothing.
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
Can I search probate records by name for free?+
Yes. Searching the England and Wales probate index by name is free. You only pay £16 to order a copy of a will or grant.
What if I only have a name and not a date?+
You can still search by surname, but a year of death narrows it a lot, especially for common surnames. A managed search can work through a name across many years for you.