GOV UK - A visit to the probate registry or solicitor's office is no longer needed.

Press release:
Probate applications made simpler and easier with online service

Before the implementation of the Government's programme of court reform that included probate registries, someone applying for grant of probate needed to visit a registry to swear an oath or swear before a solicitor.

This press release from HM Courts and Tribunal services published on 17th January 2019 explains how the online service changes make things simpler for the applicant.

The purpose has been to make probate simpler and more convenient thus helping bereaved people at a very challenging time.

The swearing of an oath has been replaced by a document known as a Statement of Truth.

The Statement of Truth sets out the following:

- The details of the deceased

- The details of the applicant

- The net and gross totals of the estate for Inheritance Tax

-  The basis of the Personal Representative’s right to apply for the Grant

-  Any additional factors the Probate Registry is required to know in order to issue the Grant.

The Statement of Truth is displayed on probate application forms with the following text:

The information you provide in this section of the application form will be the basis of your statement of truth, and it will be stored as a public record.

We would like to hear from you if you decided not to use this online service and your reasons why.