Probate Document Checklist

Original death certificate plus 10 to 15 certified copies

The register office issues the death certificate when you register the death. Order certified copies at the same time - they cost around £12.50 each and you will need one for every bank, building society, investment platform and government department you notify. Ordering in bulk now is much cheaper and faster than ordering additional copies later.

Original signed will, plus any codicils

The Probate Registry requires the original signed will - a copy is not sufficient. If the will has been amended with codicils (separately signed additions), you must include all codicils as well. Once submitted, the will becomes a public document and you will not receive the original back, so take copies of every page before sending.

Probate application form: PA1P (with will) or PA1A (without will)

If there is a will, use form PA1P. If there is no will and you are applying as administrator under the rules of intestacy, use form PA1A. Both are available on GOV.UK. You can apply online or by post. For straightforward estates, the online route is generally faster.

IHT reference number (if inheritance tax is payable)

If the estate is large enough to require inheritance tax to be paid, you will need an IHT reference number from HMRC before you can submit the probate application. You apply for this on form IHT422. For most straightforward estates below the nil-rate band, no IHT form is required at all - you simply confirm this on the probate application form itself.

Photo ID for the executor

The Probate Registry requires proof of your identity. A current passport or photocard driving licence is usually sufficient. Check the current requirements on GOV.UK before submitting, as acceptable ID types can change.

Court fee payment: £300 for estates over £5,000

The probate court fee is £300 for estates worth more than £5,000. There is no fee for estates of £5,000 or less. If applying online, pay by card. If applying by post, pay by cheque made payable to HMCTS. The fee is paid at the point of application.

Sealed copies of the Grant of Probate (£16 each)

Each bank, investment platform, share registrar, and government body that holds estate assets will require an original sealed copy of the grant. Order at least 8 to 10 when you make the probate application. Additional copies can be ordered later for £20 each via the Probate Registry, but this adds several weeks of delay - it is much more cost-effective to order enough upfront.

Bank account closure letters and bereavement forms

Most banks have their own bereavement forms, which they require in addition to the sealed grant. Request these when you first notify the bank of the death, so you are ready to submit everything together once the grant arrives. Our guide on closing bank accounts after death covers the process for major UK banks.

Share registrar transfer or sale forms

If the deceased held shares directly (rather than via a platform), you will need to contact each company's share registrar. Each registrar has its own process - contact them to request the relevant forms. Common share registrars in the UK include Computershare, Equiniti, and Link Group.

Grant of Probate (sealed copy)

The Land Registry requires a sealed copy of the grant to authorise any dealing with registered property. This is sent with the rest of the transfer documents when you register the change with HM Land Registry.

TR1 form (transfer of whole of registered title)

If the property is being transferred to a beneficiary, the TR1 is the Land Registry form used to transfer the legal title. If the property is being sold, the buyer's conveyancer handles this form. Your solicitor will prepare this form - it is not usually completed without professional help.

AP1 form (application to change the register)

The AP1 is the covering form used to submit any application to the Land Registry. It records the nature of the application and is sent with the TR1, the sealed grant, and any other supporting documents.

ID1 form (identity verification for unrepresented parties)

If the executor or beneficiary is not represented by a solicitor, the Land Registry requires an ID1 form to verify identity. This form must be certified by a conveyancer, bank, or other authorised body - it cannot simply be signed by the executor themselves.

IHT400 (for taxable estates)

The IHT400 is the main inheritance tax return for estates that are above the nil-rate band or otherwise not classified as excepted estates. It is a lengthy form with multiple schedules covering different asset types. HMRC charges interest on IHT unpaid after 6 months from the end of the month of death, so do not leave this late.

SA100: the deceased's final income tax return

If the deceased was registered for self-assessment, you must file a final return for the period from 6 April to the date of death. You will need to notify HMRC of the death and may be appointed as the deceased's personal representative for tax purposes. HMRC has a specialist bereavement team that can help with this process.

SA900: estate income tax return (if applicable)

If the estate earns significant income during administration (from rental properties, dividends, or interest), a separate estate tax return may need to be filed using form SA900. This is a separate return from the deceased's personal return. For small amounts of income, HMRC may agree to handle this informally - contact HMRC's trust and estate team for guidance.

Date-of-death bank statements (written requests to each bank)

Write to every bank and building society where the deceased held an account. Request a written confirmation of the date-of-death balance, not just a statement. Enclose a certified death certificate with each letter. Keep a log of which banks you have written to and when they respond.

Property valuation from an estate agent or RICS surveyor

For probate, you need a written valuation of the property as at the date of death. HMRC expects a realistic open-market value. A formal RICS Red Book valuation carries more authority than an estate agent's informal opinion, but many probate valuations are accepted with supporting estate agent evidence. Obtain at least two written valuations and take the average, or use the RICS valuation if challenged.

Investment platform valuations

Contact each investment platform or fund manager where the deceased held investments. Request a written date-of-death valuation. Most platforms have a bereavement team that can provide this. The valuation should be on their headed notepaper and clearly state the date it refers to.

Pension lump-sum nomination forms and bereavement paperwork

Contact each pension provider to find out what death benefits are payable, who is nominated to receive them, and what paperwork is required. Pension death benefits paid under a nomination do not normally form part of the estate for inheritance tax purposes, but you should confirm this with each provider.

Insurance policy documents

Locate all insurance policies: life insurance, home insurance, car insurance, and any other policies. Check whether any life policies are written in trust (they pass outside the estate) or not (they form part of the estate). Cancel policies that are no longer needed. Keep the buildings and contents insurance active until the property is sold or transferred.