About Us
Our Targets | Our Workload | Other Services | Customer Service | Further Help
Our Targets
Targets for issuing grants of representation
95% of solicitor, notary or barrister applications to be processed within 7 working days of receipt of all necessary information
85% of personal applications to be processed within one month of receipt of all necessary information
Our Workload
The Probate Service continues to receive a steady year-on-year increase in the number of applications for grants of representation, which includes an increasing number of applications for grants in connection with the DTI (British Coal Corporation) Respiratory Disease and Vibration White Finger compensation schemes. It is thought this additional work will continue until 2009.
2005 performance
In 2005, 299,215 grants of representation were issued (294,018 in 2004).
Of these, 86,349 (29%) were personal applications and 212,866 (71%) were made by solicitors, notaries or barristers. The deceased left a will in 212,046 cases.
Other Services
Searches
The Probate Service maintains an index of all grants of representation issued since 1858 (known as the Probate Calendar), and supplies copies of these documents for a fee (currently £5) upon request.
It is possible to enter a standing search. A standing search is valid for six months, if a grant issues within that time against the name you have registered, you will automatically receive a copy of the grant and a copy of the will. The fee for this is currently £5.
Depositing wills
It is possible to lodge your will with the Principal Registry in London for safe keeping during your lifetime. This ensures your will is kept secure and that it cannot be overlooked when the time comes to make a grant application. The one-off fee for this service is £15.
Details on withdrawing wills from safe keeping
Customer Service
Current developments
The Probate Service continues to work with other organisations to try to improve service to the customer:
- The local Registrar of Births, Marriages and Deaths for copies of death certificates required for probate application.
- The Capital Taxes Office of Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs providing information on Inheritance Tax.
We have also established links with our local communities by working with local schools, and the following organisations:
Citizens Advice Bureaux,
Age Concern,
CRUSE
As well as local firms of funeral directors.
We work with local courts to raise awareness of the Probate Service at court open days and have established user groups in each Registry. We are working on revising the Non-contentious Probate Rules and looking at procedures in order to simplify the process for customers.
Further Help
Ways of getting more information about the Probate Service, and forms:
- From the telephone helpline operated jointly with the Capital Taxes Office of Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs which provides information about inheritance tax and probate
- Telephone: 0845 30 20 900