Documents you need: probate or confirmation
To make a claim or receive payments for someone who has died you must be legally entitled to act as the personal representative of the estate.
You'll need a valid grant of representation - either a grant of probate or letters of administration to make a claim in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland.
In Scotland, this is called a grant of confirmation.
How to check for a grant of probate or confirmation
England and Wales
If the probate record has been issued in England or Wales, you can:
- search for the record
- check if it has been issued
- order a copy of the record
This can be done online or by post. Each copy of a probate record ordered online costs £16.
Search probate records for documents and wills (England and Wales).
Northern Ireland
If the probate record has been issued in Northern Ireland, you can contact the Probate Office, who should be able to provide a certified copy of the grant for £14.
Find out more about probate in Northern Ireland.
Scotland
In Scotland, to check whether confirmation has been granted and request a copy of the grant, contact the local sheriff court for the person who died.
If the local sheriff is not known, you can contact the HM Commissary Office based within Edinburgh Sheriff Court.
It will cost £14 per search and £32 to obtain a copy of the confirmation grant.
Guidance on dealing with estates in Scotland.
Channel islands and Isle of Man
You should follow the same guidance as England and Wales. You'll need a UK grant of probate, rather than a local one.