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What Documents Do I Need for Probate? Complete UK Checklist
By Farra Editorial Team•15 min read•Last updated: 28 January 2026
What documents do I need for probate?
1You must submit the original signed will — the Probate Registry keeps it permanently; photocopies are not accepted
2Order at least 5–10 certified death certificates during registration (£12.50 each in England & Wales); ordering more later costs £15+
3Every asset needs a date-of-death valuation: bank balance letters, RICS property valuation or 3 estate agent quotes, and investment platform statements
4Use form PA1P if there is a will, PA1A for intestacy; complete IHT205/IHT421 for estates under £325,000 or IHT400 for larger estates
5Missing documents typically delay probate by 2–3 months — request valuations from all banks and institutions as soon as possible after death
You need the original will, death certificate, asset valuations (property, bank accounts, investments), lists of all debts, recent bank statements, and details of gifts made in the seven years before death. Missing documents delay probate by 2-3 months. Core document types are similar across the UK, but specific forms and processes differ between England & Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. For context on how these documents fit into the wider probate process, see our complete guide to probate in the UK.
Original will: Must be the original signed will plus any codicils (amendments)—photocopies not accepted
Death certificate: Original or certified copy (order 5-10 copies at registration, £12.50 each)
The death certificate is your most important document. You'll need it for almost every step of probate and estate administration.
What you need to know:
Where to get it: You receive death certificates when you register the death at the Register Office within 5 days (8 days in Scotland).
How many copies: Order at least 5-10 certified copies during registration. It's cheaper than ordering more later.
Cost: £12.50 per certificate during registration (England and Wales), £15+ if ordered later. Prices vary in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
What it shows: Full name, date of death, place of death, cause of death, and registration details.
Original vs copy: The Probate Registry accepts certified copies, but some organisations require original certificates.
You'll need death certificates for banks, insurance companies, the Probate Registry, HMRC, pension providers, and property transfers. Don't underestimate how many you'll need.
Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD)
The MCCD is issued by a doctor and is required before you can register the death. You don't submit this to the Probate Registry, but you need it to obtain the death certificate.
What you need to know:
Who issues it: The doctor who attended the deceased before death, or the hospital if they died there.
What it confirms: The medical cause of death.
Coroner cases: If the death is referred to a coroner, you won't get an MCCD until the coroner completes their investigation and issues their own documentation.
Stage 2: Documents About the Will and Executors
Original Will (and Any Codicils)
The will is the legal document that appoints executors and specifies who inherits. The Probate Registry requires the original will, not a copy.
What you need to know:
Why the original: The Probate Registry keeps the original will as a permanent public record. Photocopies aren't acceptable.
Where to find it: Check the deceased's home, safe, solicitor's office, bank safe deposit box, or search the National Will Register at certainty.co.uk.
Codicils: These are amendments to the will. If any exist, you must submit the originals along with the will.
Damaged wills: If the will is torn, burnt, or damaged, this may indicate it was revoked. Seek legal advice immediately.
Multiple wills: If you find more than one will, submit the most recent valid one (check dates and witness signatures).
What If There's No Will?
If you can't find a will after thorough searching, the estate will be distributed under intestacy rules. You'll apply for Letters of Administration instead of probate, using form PA1A. You must demonstrate that you searched thoroughly and have a legal right to administer the estate under intestacy.
Proof of Executor Identity
All executors named in the will must prove their identity to the Probate Registry.
Acceptable documents:
Passport (current or expired within last 12 months)
Driving licence (photocard)
Birth certificate with proof of name change if applicable
If applying online, you'll verify your identity digitally. For paper applications, certified copies of ID documents are required.
Stage 3: Documents Proving Asset Values
You must value the entire estate as of the date of death. This requires documentary evidence for every asset.
Bank and Building Society Accounts
Documents needed:
Date-of-death balance letters from each bank and building society showing the exact balance on the date of death
Interest statements showing interest earned from date of death to date you close the account
Most recent statements if you can't get specific date-of-death letters immediately
Contact each financial institution with a death certificate and request a date-of-death valuation. Most banks provide this free for executors.
Property and Land
Documents needed:
Professional valuation from a RICS surveyor or three estate agent valuations (free from estate agents)
Land Registry title deeds showing ownership. Download from GOV.UK for £3 per title.
Mortgage statements showing the outstanding balance on the date of death if property is mortgaged
Lease documents if the property is leasehold, showing remaining years on the lease
Property valuations must reflect market value on the date of death, not current value. If values have changed significantly since death, explain this to HMRC. For detailed guidance, see our guide to valuing an estate for probate.
Investments and Shares
Documents needed:
Share certificates showing ownership of individual shares
Date-of-death valuations from each share registrar or investment platform (most provide free probate valuations)
Unit trust statements showing holdings in funds
ISA statements showing values of all ISAs
Bond certificates for Premium Bonds, NS&I bonds, and corporate bonds
For shares traded on the London Stock Exchange, use the closing price on the date of death. For unlisted shares or business interests, you'll need professional valuation.
Pensions
Documents needed:
Pension statements from all workplace and personal pension providers
Death benefit nomination forms if the deceased nominated beneficiaries
State pension entitlement details from DWP (notified automatically via Tell Us Once)
Not all pensions form part of the estate. Many workplace pensions have discretionary beneficiaries and pay lump sums directly to nominated people, bypassing the estate entirely. Check each pension's rules.
Life Insurance Policies
Documents needed:
Original policy documents or policy numbers
Policy valuations from insurance companies
Trust documents if policies are written in trust (these don't form part of the estate)
Contact every insurance company with a death certificate to make claims and request valuations. Life insurance policies often take 4-8 weeks to process.
Vehicles
Documents needed:
V5C registration certificate (logbook) for each vehicle
Valuation using industry guides like Glass's Guide or CAP, or written quotes from dealers
Outstanding finance agreements showing balance owed on HP or PCP agreements
For classic cars, boats, or caravans over £1,500, get professional valuations from specialist dealers or auctioneers.
Personal Possessions
Documents needed:
Professional valuations for items worth over £1,500 (jewellery, antiques, art, collectibles)
Insurance valuations from home contents insurance policies showing high-value items
Receipts or certificates for valuable items if available
For household contents under £1,500, you can provide a reasonable estimate. HMRC may challenge valuations that seem unrealistically low.
Business Interests
Documents needed:
Professional business valuation from an accountant or business valuer
Company accounts for the last 3 years
Partnership agreements if the deceased was a partner
Share certificates for company shares
Business valuations are complex and often qualify for tax reliefs like Business Property Relief. Always get professional advice.
Stage 4: Documents Proving Liabilities
Debts reduce the estate's value for inheritance tax purposes. You need proof of all liabilities.
Mortgages and Secured Loans
Documents needed:
Redemption statement from the lender showing the exact amount needed to pay off the mortgage on the date of death
Mortgage statements for the last 12 months
Life insurance policies linked to the mortgage that may pay it off
Credit Cards and Personal Loans
Documents needed:
Final statements from each credit card and loan provider showing balance on date of death
Loan agreements showing terms and conditions
Notify all lenders of the death immediately. Some may freeze interest; others will continue accruing charges until the estate is settled.
Utility Bills and Council Tax
Documents needed:
Final meter readings for gas, electricity, and water on the date of death
Council tax bill showing the amount owed from April to date of death
Phone and internet bills showing outstanding amounts
Outstanding Tax
Documents needed:
Completing these forms yourself?
1 in 3 applications are sent back for form errors. In 2 minutes, we'll check the fields people most often get wrong — before you submit.
Must provide evidence for all asset and liability valuations
HMRC may query valuations and request additional documents
IHT400 is complex. Most executors use a solicitor or accountant, especially if inheritance tax is payable. The form requires detailed calculations and knowledge of tax reliefs and exemptions.
Supporting Tax Documents
You may need:
IHT401: Deceased's details and family tree
IHT405: Houses, land, buildings, and interests in land
IHT406: Bank and building society accounts
IHT407: Household and personal goods
IHT408: Household and personal goods donated to charity
IHT409: Pensions
IHT410: Life insurance and annuities
IHT411: Listed stocks and shares
IHT412: Unlisted stocks and shares
IHT413: Business or partnership interests
IHT418: Assets held in trust
Stage 6: Probate Application Forms
PA1P (Probate Application with Will)
Use this form if there's a valid will. It asks for details about the deceased, the will, the executors, and the estate value. For a comprehensive overview of the application process and what happens next, refer to our complete probate guide.
PA1A (Application for Letters of Administration - No Will)
Use this form if there's no will (intestacy). It asks who's entitled to administer the estate under intestacy rules.
Online vs Paper Applications
Since 2022, most executors apply online at GOV.UK. The online process is faster (usually 8-12 weeks vs 12-16 weeks for paper) and guides you through each section.
Paper applications are still available for complex cases.
Stage 7: Additional Documents You Might Need
If the Deceased Was Married or in a Civil Partnership
Marriage or civil partnership certificate - required to claim spouse exemptions for inheritance tax
Decree absolute if divorced, to show current marital status
If Claiming Transferable Nil Rate Band
Death certificate of first spouse who died earlier
Will and probate documents from first spouse's estate
IHT calculation from first spouse's estate showing unused nil rate band
If Assets Are Held Jointly
Bank account agreements showing joint ownership type (joint tenants or tenants in common)
Property title deeds from Land Registry showing type of joint ownership
Joint tenant assets pass automatically to the survivor and don't need probate. Tenants in common assets form part of the estate and require probate.
If There Are Foreign Assets
Property deeds for overseas property
Bank statements from foreign bank accounts
Valuations converted to GBP using exchange rate on date of death
Tax certificates from foreign countries if tax paid abroad
Foreign assets complicate probate significantly. You may need separate probate processes in other countries. Seek specialist legal advice.
If There Are Lifetime Gifts
Records of gifts made in the 7 years before death
Bank statements showing large transfers
Valuations of property or assets gifted
Gifts made within 7 years of death may be subject to inheritance tax on a sliding scale. You must declare all significant gifts on the IHT400 form.
Organizing Your Documents: A Practical System
Probate involves dozens of documents. Here's how to stay organized:
Create a Filing System
Death documents: Death certificates, MCCD, coroner documents
Will and executors: Original will, codicils, executor ID documents
Assets: Separate folders for property, bank accounts, investments, pensions, insurance, vehicles, possessions, business
Liabilities: Folders for mortgages, credit cards, loans, utilities, tax
Probate application: Forms, correspondence with Probate Registry
Keep photocopies of all documents before submitting originals. Scan important documents and store digitally as backup.
Track Which Documents You Have and Need
Use a checklist spreadsheet tracking each document's status: Not started, Requested, Received, Submitted to Probate Registry.
What to Do If Documents Are Missing
Missing Will
If you can't find the will after thorough searching, you'll need to apply for Letters of Administration under intestacy. Get a statutory declaration from someone who knew the deceased confirming you searched thoroughly.
Missing Death Certificates
Order additional certified copies from the General Register Office at GOV.UK for £15 each (takes 2-3 weeks).
Missing Asset Documents
Contact each organisation directly with a death certificate and request date-of-death valuations. Most organisations have probate departments that routinely provide these documents to executors.
Missing Property Deeds
Download title deeds from Land Registry for £3 per title. If property isn't registered (very old properties), you may need a solicitor to help trace ownership.
Unknown Assets
Check bank statements for regular payments that might indicate unknown accounts, insurance policies, or investments. Use asset search services like:
Register death and order death certificates (at least 5-10 copies)
Locate the will
Gather executor ID documents
Week 2-6:
Request date-of-death valuations from all banks and institutions
Obtain property valuations
Gather investment and share valuations
Collect pension statements
Request mortgage redemption statements
Week 6-10:
Compile all asset and liability documents
Calculate total estate value
Complete inheritance tax form (IHT205/IHT421 or IHT400)
Complete probate application form (PA1P or PA1A)
Week 10-12:
Submit probate application with all supporting documents
Pay probate fee (£300 for estates over £5,000)
Pay any inheritance tax due
Key Takeaways
Core documents everyone needs: Death certificate, original will, probate application form, inheritance tax form, asset valuations, liability evidence
Order plenty of death certificates: Get at least 5-10 during registration - they're cheaper then than ordering later
Original will required: The Probate Registry keeps the original, so make copies before submitting
Every asset needs proof: Date-of-death valuations for all bank accounts, property, investments, pensions, vehicles, and personal possessions
Liabilities reduce estate value: Gather evidence for all mortgages, loans, credit cards, and outstanding bills
IHT form depends on estate size: Use simpler IHT205/IHT421 for estates under £325,000, complex IHT400 for larger estates
Start early: Gathering documents takes 6-10 weeks, so request valuations as soon as possible after death
Stay organized: Create a filing system and checklist to track which documents you have and which you still need
Gathering probate documents is time-consuming but essential. Take it systematically, use this checklist to ensure you don't miss anything, and don't hesitate to get professional help for complex estates.
1 in 3 probate applications are sent back. The most common reason: errors on exactly these forms.
Answer 5 questions in under 2 minutes. We'll tell you which forms apply to your estate, what goes in the fields people most often get wrong, and check your answers before you submit.
Which forms you need to file
The fields most likely to trigger a rejection
A pre-submission check so it goes through first time