The UK government has recently announced plans to increase the fee for probate applications from £300 to £526 from 13 July 2026, representing a significant rise of 75%. At the same time, the cost of obtaining additional sealed copies of a grant is expected to fall from £16 to £2 per copy.

The government has advised that the fee increase reflects the cost of delivering “an ever-improving service”, alongside “investment in delivering an efficient and modern service”. However, delays at the Probate Registry are still being reported in certain cases, particularly those involving more complex estates.

Although the changes are subject to parliamentary approval, if they do go ahead, it will become considerably more expensive for bereaved families to obtain a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration.

What does the proposed increase in probate fees mean?

While the increase has not yet been confirmed, and some uncertainty remains as to whether it will proceed exactly as announced, many expect the proposed changes could lead to an increase in probate applications before the deadline. This increased demand could place additional strain on the Probate Registry, potentially resulting in further delays.

If you are currently administering an estate, it may be worth reviewing your position to determine whether an application for probate can be submitted before the proposed fee increase takes effect. However, it may not always be possible to speed up the process, as this will depend on how far the administration has progressed and whether all the necessary information is to hand.

We’re here to help

If you have any questions about the proposed fee increase or would like advice on probate more generally, please get in touch with us.