Costs
Probate fees in 2026: every court fee, dated
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.
The probate application fee in England and Wales is £526 for estates over £5,000 and £0 for estates of £5,000 or less, from 13 July 2026 (it was £300 before). Extra copies of the grant cost £2 each ordered with the application and £16 each afterwards. A standing search is £4 and a caveat is £4. Checked against GOV.UK on 15 September 2026.
Work out the court fees
Court fees only, from the GOV.UK fees page and the 2026 fees order (in force 13 July 2026). Solicitor or probate practitioner fees are whatever you are quoted; add a quote below if you have one.
No fee at £5,000 or less; £526 above it.
£2 each. One sealed copy per bank, pension or share registrar is usual.
£16 each, the same fee anyone pays through the online search.
| Item | Fee | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Probate application fee (estate over £5,000) | £526 | GOV.UK fees page; £526 from 13 July 2026 |
| 4 extra copies ordered with the application at £2 each | £8 | GOV.UK fees page |
| 0 copies ordered later at £16 each | £0 | GOV.UK fees page and search service |
| Total court fees | £534 | Checked 15 September 2026 |
Help with fees: GOV.UK says that if you have a low income or are on certain benefits you could get help with the application fee (form EX160), but not with the fee for extra copies. A second application after probate has already been granted costs £22.
Every probate court fee, with its source
| Fee | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Application for a grant, estate over £5,000 | £526 | GOV.UK fees page; SI 2026/642 art. 3 (was £300) |
| Application for a grant, estate £5,000 or less | £0 | GOV.UK fees page |
| Extra copy of the grant ordered with the application | £2 each | GOV.UK fees page; SI 2026/642 fee 8(a)(i) |
| Copy of a grant or will ordered at any other time (including online search) | £16 each | GOV.UK fees page and search service; SI 2026/642 fee 8(a)(ii) |
| Standing search, each six months, includes a copy grant and will | £4 | GOV.UK search service; SI 2026/642 fee 5 (was £3) |
| Entry or extension of a caveat (PA8A, PA8B) | £4 | PA8A form version 07.26; SI 2026/642 fee 4 (was £3) |
| Postal search of the records (form PA1S), includes a copy | £16 | GOV.UK search service |
| Second application after probate has already been granted | £22 | GOV.UK fees page |
| Searching the online probate index | Free | GOV.UK search service |
Pages quoting £300 are out of date
The application fee was £300 until 12 July 2026. The Court and Tribunal Fees (Miscellaneous Amendments) Order 2026 substituted £526, and SI 2026/665 fixed the start date at 13 July 2026. GOV.UK's fees page now shows £526. Any page, or AI answer, still saying £300 has not been updated since the summer of 2026.
Who pays, and when
The fee is paid when you submit the application, online or with form PA1P or PA1A by post. GOV.UK says you can apply yourself and that this "can be cheaper than paying a probate practitioner (such as a solicitor) to apply for you". If you have a low income or are on certain benefits you may get help with the application fee through form EX160, but GOV.UK is explicit that you cannot get help with the fee for extra copies.
Copies: £2 now or £16 later
Every bank, pension provider and share registrar that holds an asset will want to see the grant, and many insist on a sealed copy. Ordering copies with the application costs £2 each; ordering them after the grant costs £16 each, which is the same fee anyone pays for a copy of a will or grant through the online search. Count the asset holders before you apply and order that many.
Solicitor and probate practitioner fees
There is no official scale. GOV.UK simply notes that applying yourself can be cheaper and points to MoneyHelper for guidance on using a practitioner. Quotes are usually either a fixed fee or a percentage of the estate, and VAT is added on top. Because none of that is published by a government source we do not print bands here; put your own quote into the calculator above and it adds it to the court fees.
How to use the calculator
Enter the gross estate value
Anything over £5,000 pays £526; at or under it pays nothing.
Count the copies you will need
One per asset holder is usual. £2 each with the application, £16 each later.
Add a standing search or caveat if relevant
£4 and £4 respectively, each for six months.
Add a practitioner quote if you have one
Optional. The court total is shown separately so you can compare doing it yourself.
Frequently asked questions
How much does probate cost in 2026?+
The court fee is £526 for estates over £5,000 and nothing for estates of £5,000 or less, from 13 July 2026. Add £2 per extra copy ordered with the application. Solicitor fees are separate and not fixed by law.
Is there a probate fee if the estate is under £5,000?+
No. GOV.UK: "There's no fee if the estate is £5,000 or less."
When did the probate fee increase to £526?+
On 13 July 2026. SI 2026/642 substituted £526 for £300; SI 2026/665 moved the commencement date from 6 July to 13 July 2026. GOV.UK announced the change on 19 June 2026.
How much are extra copies of the grant of probate?+
£2 each if ordered with the application, £16 each afterwards (GOV.UK fees page, checked 15 September 2026).
Can I get help with the probate application fee?+
GOV.UK says you could get help with fees if you have a low income or are on certain benefits (form EX160). Help is not available for the fee for extra copies.
How much is a standing search or a caveat?+
£4 for a standing search and £4 for a caveat, each covering six months. Both rose from £3 on 13 July 2026.
Do I pay the same fee applying by post?+
Yes. The £526 fee applies whether you apply online or on form PA1P or PA1A. Paper applications take longer to process (GOV.UK).
Is the probate fee based on the value of the estate?+
Only at one point: £5,000. At or below it there is no fee; above it the fee is a flat £526 however large the estate.
Sources checked for this guide
- GOV.UK, Applying for probate: fees (read 15 September 2026)
- The Court and Tribunal Fees (Miscellaneous Amendments) Order 2026, SI 2026/642, article 3 (Non-Contentious Probate Fees Order 2004 amendments) (read 15 September 2026)
- SI 2026/665, which moved the start date of the 2026 fees order to 13 July 2026 (read 15 September 2026)
- GOV.UK news, Court and tribunal fees: updates from July 2026 (published 19 June 2026) (read 15 September 2026)
- GOV.UK, Search probate records for documents and wills (England and Wales) (read 15 September 2026)
- GOV.UK, Apply to stop a grant of probate by post: Form PA8A (version 07.26, last updated 6 August 2026) (read 15 September 2026)
- GOV.UK, Find a will or probate document: Form PA1S (last updated 6 August 2026) (read 15 September 2026)
- GOV.UK, Applying for probate: apply for probate (read 15 September 2026)