Probate fees: what probate costs in the UK
Last reviewed June 2026
The HMCTS probate application fee in England and Wales is £526 for estates over £5,000 (free below). Extra official copies of the grant cost £2 each when ordered with the application and £16 each afterwards. If you apply yourself you avoid a professional fee; copies and other estate expenses are additional, so there is no fixed DIY total. If you use a solicitor, expect £1,500–£3,000 for a straightforward estate or 1–5% of the estate value for full administration. Banks and probate-specialist firms sit between these, usually charging a fixed fee per task. Scotland and Northern Ireland charge differently: Scotland's sheriff court fee for Confirmation is nothing up to £50,000, £351 up to £250,000 and £705 above that, and Northern Ireland sets its own fees through NICTS, which rose by 5 per cent on 1 April 2026, so check the current figure with the Probate Office before applying.
DIY probate cost breakdown
Applying yourself avoids a professional application fee. In England and Wales, the court application costs £526 if the estate is worth more than £5,000; there is no application fee for estates worth £5,000 or less. Copies and any other estate expenses are additional.
- HMCTS application fee, £526 (estates over £5,000; none at £5,000 or less)
- Extra official copies of the grant: £2 each with the application, £16 each afterwards
- Example: application fee £526 + three extra grant copies ordered with the application £6 = £532. This is an application example, not the total cost of administering an estate. Death certificates, professional help and any property-related expenses are separate.
- Some estates also have other costs, such as certified death certificates, a property title change or a creditor notice. These depend on the estate and are not needed in every case.
Solicitor and probate-specialist fees
Solicitors charge in three ways: fixed fee (£1,500–£3,000 for a simple estate), hourly (£200–£400/hr), or as a percentage of the estate (1–5%, sometimes plus an hourly element). Bank probate services usually use the percentage model, which often works out the most expensive. Always ask for a written estimate.
Scotland and Northern Ireland
Scotland calls it 'confirmation'. The sheriff court fee is nothing on estates up to £50,000, £351 up to £250,000, and £705 above that. Scotland also has a simpler small estate route for estates of £36,000 or less. In Northern Ireland there is no fee up to £10,000, then £326, plus an extra £81 if you apply yourself rather than through a solicitor. Both nations allow DIY applications.
Frequently asked questions
Is the £526 probate fee waived for low-value estates?
Yes. Estates under £5,000 pay no probate application fee in England and Wales. Above £5,000 the fee is a flat £526 regardless of estate size.
Can I claim probate costs back from the estate?
Yes. All reasonable estate administration costs application fees, certified copies, solicitor fees, the Gazette notice are paid from the estate before distribution to beneficiaries.
What's the cheapest way to get probate?
Apply yourself via GOV.UK for simple estates with a clear will and no inheritance tax. You pay the £526 court fee (none for estates of £5,000 or less) plus any copies. Use a solicitor only for complex estates, trusts, or contested wills.
