How to Get a Copy of a Will in the UK

Key Takeaway:

Once probate has been granted, a will becomes a public document and anyone can request a copy for £1.50 via the HMCTS Probate Search service. If probate has not been granted, access is more restricted and depends on your relationship to the deceased.

Why You Might Need a Copy of a Will

There are several legitimate reasons to seek a copy of someone's will:

  • You are a beneficiary wanting to understand what you are entitled to.
  • You are an executor trying to locate or verify the original document.
  • You are trying to understand the estate of someone who has recently died.
  • You are concerned that the will in circulation is not the most recent version.

If Probate Has Already Been Granted

Once probate is granted, the will becomes a public document. Anyone can apply to view or obtain a copy through the Probate Registry — no relationship to the deceased is required.

How to Get a Copy

  1. Online — use the HMCTS Probate Search service on GOV.UK. Enter the full name of the deceased and ideally their date of death. If a grant has been issued, you can download a copy of the will and the grant itself. The fee is £1.50 per copy.
  2. By post — write to the Principal Registry of the Family Division or one of the district probate registries. Both routes are accessible to the public.

If Probate Has Not Yet Been Granted

If probate has not been granted, the will is not yet a public document and access is more restricted.

If you are the executor

You are entitled to the original will and should be applying for probate. The will is effectively yours to manage as part of your duties.

If you are a potential beneficiary who has not been contacted

You can make a standing search at the Probate Registry. This means if a Grant of Probate is issued within the next 12 months for that person's estate, you will automatically be notified.

If you are not the executor and not yet confirmed as a beneficiary

Your options are more limited. You can try contacting the deceased's solicitor (who may hold the will on deposit), or check the National Will Register — a database many solicitors and will-writing services use. There is a small search fee.

What If the Will Cannot Be Found?

If no will has been registered or lodged with a solicitor, it may be stored at the deceased's home or in a bank safe deposit box. Executors are expected to make reasonable efforts to locate the original will before applying for probate.

If you are concerned that a will has been lost, altered, or is not the most recent version, seek legal advice promptly. Disputes over validity must be raised before the estate is distributed — it becomes significantly harder to recover assets once they have been passed to beneficiaries.

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Disclaimer

This article is for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Always seek professional guidance from a regulated solicitor if you have concerns about a will or estate.