Where are wills stored in the UK?
Asked by: Connie Trantow | Last update: February 6, 2026Score: 4.9/5 (20 votes)
Lodging your will with the Probate Service The will is then stored at the Principal Probate Registry in London. You can retrieve your will yourself during your lifetime (by completing a form), or your personal representatives can do so once you have died. There is no fee for retrieving a will.
Where are wills kept in the UK?
The Probate Service will store your will for you – you have to lodge it with them officially, and make official requests to take it out again.
Who keeps the original copy of a will in the UK?
They can keep this copy with their important documents and let their executors know where to find it. However, the original will is usually kept by the solicitor or at the national probate registry. This is because the original is the only legally binding document and is needed when the executor applies for probate.
Are wills public documents in the UK?
If your estate is worth very little and probate is not required, your Will remains a private document and only those named as Executors and Beneficiaries will be privy to its contents. You are therefore able to request a copy of someone's Will if it has gone through probate via the government website.
Do wills have to be registered in the UK?
However, many clients often ask whether it is necessary, or even legally required, to register their Will. In England and Wales, while there is no formal obligation to register a Will, doing so can offer significant peace of mind and practical advantages for both you and your loved ones.
Wills & Probate Records in the UK
How do I find a will in the UK?
Quick Answer – How to Find a Will in the UK
To find a will in the UK, contact the executor or a legal professional. If probate has been granted, search the HM Courts & Tribunals Probate Registry and order an official copy online or by post. Speak to an Expert!
Does every death have to go through probate in the UK?
Check if probate is needed
Contact the financial organisations the person who died used (for example, their bank and mortgage company) to find out if you'll need probate to get access to their assets. Every organisation has its own rules. You may not need probate if the person who died: only had savings.
How do I find out if someone left me something in a will in the UK?
So, how do you know if you have been left something in a Will? Start by reaching out to the Executor. If probate has been granted, you can search for the Will online and order a copy. If you cannot access the Will or know who the Executor is, legal help can guide you.
Where are wills usually stored?
Best places to keep your will
There are several places that are safe to keep your will: Filed with the probate court. This is the best place to store your will. Many states have a system that allows you to file your will with the probate court for safekeeping.
How do you know if you are mentioned in a will?
The person responsible for notifying you is the Executor named in the Will. If no Executor is available, a court‑appointed Administrator acts in that role. It is their legal duty to inform anyone named in a Will that they are a beneficiary.
Who is entitled to see a will after death in the UK?
Who is entitled to see a Will after death in the UK? Prior to the grant of Probate, only the person appointed as executor is able to see the Will. After it has been granted, the Will becomes a public document.
What is the 2 year rule for deceased estate?
An inherited property is exempt from CGT if you dispose of it within 2 years of the deceased's death, and either: the deceased acquired the property before September 1985. at the time of death, the property was the main residence of the deceased and was not being used to produce income.
What are the biggest mistakes people make with their will?
“The biggest mistake people make with doing their will or estate plan is simply not doing anything and having no documents at all. For those people who have documents, the next biggest mistake people make is to let the documents get stale.
What happens if you can't find an original will in the UK?
If after a thorough search an original will cannot be found, but a signed copy is available, it may be possible to apply for a grant of probate using the copy will. This process is known as 'proving' a copy will under rule 54 of the Non-Contentious Probate Rules 1987.
Who keeps the original copy of the will?
The original copy of a will is typically kept by the person who created it, known as the testator. However, it's wise to store it in a safe place or with a trusted estate planning attorney.
Where can I find the will of a deceased person?
The best way to obtain a Will is with the probate court file number. The county clerk can give you the case number for reference, or the executor can also give you the information. Additionally, you might be able to get the file number online by providing the deceased's name and date of death.
Are wills registered anywhere in the UK?
Yes – The National Will Register allows you to search for wills across the UK. If a will isn't registered, our service can guide you with additional checks. You can perform a Will Search Combined that geographically targets solicitors surrounding three chosen postcodes.
How do people know if you have a will?
If a will does exist, once it is lodged with the court, it is public record and can be accessed by anyone, whether or not they have any relation to the decedent or their estate. Many people opt for a trust instead of a will since trusts are not required to be filed with the court or subject to probate.
Can someone hide a will from you?
Apart from criminal charges, a person who hides a will may also be sued by aggrieved beneficiaries for damages.
How are beneficiaries of a will notified in the UK?
Beneficiaries are typically notified through formal communication from the executor of the estate. This usually involves a letter or email detailing their inheritance and any required actions, such as if they need to provide identification or sign documents.
How do I know if I'm a beneficiary in a will?
Typically, you might receive a certified letter from the personal representative notifying you that you are a beneficiary. However, you can always contact the estate attorney to explain the will to you.
How long after death is a will read?
A will read can be anywhere from days to decades after the death of a person if the deceased person has appointed an executor.
Do I need to apply for probate if there is a will in the UK?
You do not always need probate to be able to deal with the estate. If you've been named in a will as an executor, you don't have to act if you don't want to.
What is the inheritance tax in the UK?
Inheritance tax is paid on the value of someone's net estate at death (calculated as the value of their assets, minus debts, and after calculating tax reliefs available). Inheritance tax is charged at 40% above a threshold, currently set at £325,000. This threshold is often termed the 'nil-rate band'.
How much money can you have in the bank before probate in the UK?
Most institutions set their own internal probate thresholds – usually ranging from £5,000 to £50,000. Some are stricter than others. So while one bank may release funds under £15,000 without probate, another might insist on a Grant of Probate even for smaller sums.