Cost of probate fee applications to rise to £526

The cost of probate fee applications is to rise after the government laid a statutory instrument before parliament detailing changes to court fees, set by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ).

A 2.6% increase, in line with inflation for 2024/25 will apply across 170 fees in HM Courts and Tribunals Service. An increase of 34% (equivalent to £6.19) will apply to 27 fees in line with accumulated inflation. Four fees will be reduced to reflect reductions in their underlying costs.

Probate application fees will rise to £526; a near 75% increase on the previous increase in 2024 which took the fee to £300. The Ministry of Justice said the fee increase helped to “recover the cost of an ever-improving service, and the new cost accounts for rising inflation as well as investment in delivering an efficient and modern service.”

After widespread consternation when the fee for obtaining copies of probate grants, wills or letters of administration increased from £1.50 to £16 per copy in November 2025,  a new separate, reduced fee for requesting copies of probate documents concurrently with their probate application will be introduced. Instead of £16, the fee will only be £2 to “better reflect the cost of that service”, said the MoJ.

The changes will take place on 13 July 2026 subject to parliamentary approval. The purpose of the changes is to “strengthen cost recovery, improve consistency in how and where fees are charged, and maintain fair access to justice for all.”