Applying for probate
You can apply to the Probate Office or District Probate Registry for a grant of representation which allows you to administer an estate.
You can engage a solicitor to apply on your behalf or, in some cases, you can make a personal application yourself.
The Probate Office and District Probate Registries cannot provide legal advice and you will be responsible for completing the required documentation.
Before you start
In some circumstances you will need a solicitor to apply on your behalf. For example, if the applicant is a minor, the will is missing, its validity is in question, there are family disputes, the applicant is a ward of court, or in any complex situations as advised by a Probate Officer.
Submitting your information to Revenue
Before completing a personal application for probate, you will need to provide some information to Revenue. This is usually the Statement of Affairs Form (SA.2) but the correct form to submit to Revenue depends on the date of death.
Personal application form
Download and return a completed Personal Application Form along with the Notice of Acknowledgement (Probate) from Revenue to the Probate Office, or the relevant District Probate Registry.
Acknowledgement of application
Once completed documents have been received, a probate official will review them. If there are additional requirements, the official will contact you.
Preparing for your appointment
To ensure a smooth application process and avoid the need for a second visit, you will need to bring specific items to your appointment.
Attending your appointment
The appointment with a probate official, is held privately and not in a courtroom.
After your appointment - receiving the grant
After your appointment, the grant of representation, along with any additional copies that you ordered and documents that we need to return to you, will be posted to you within 3 weeks.
Compile documents
Solicitors must compile a number of documents to be included in their application package.
Submit application
Applications must be submitted to the Probate Office or relevant District Probate Registry.
Application processing
Once an application is submitted it will be processed by the Probate Office or relevant District Registry.
Issuing of a grant
Once an application has been processed successfully the grant of representation will be issued to the solicitor for their client.