The probate service now accepts online probate applications, in addition to postal applications.
Currently the process (partly due to COVID-19) is taking approximately 8 weeks where applications are submitted online and longer where a paper application is made.
To be able to submit the probate application online you need to ensure:-
the deceased was domiciled in England and Wales;
the original Will (including up to 4 codicils) is available;
(unless you are completing an application for Letters of Administration where there is no Will);
up to four people are applying for the grant of probate;
you have estimated the value of the estate to calculate if there is any inheritance tax to pay;
If there is inheritance tax to pay, you must wait 20 working days before sending the tax forms to HMRC before applying for probate to give HMRC time to process the tax forms and submit the relevant receipt to the probate registry.
When making your probate application you need to ensure you send:
The original Will (if there is one);
A Death certificate;
A completed inheritance tax form;
The application fee. (which can be paid online)
It currently (as at 'May 2022) costs £215.00 to apply for probate if the value of the estate is more than £5,000. Probate is free if the value is below £5,000.
It costs £1.50 for each extra copy of the probate document that you need/ wish to have and it is always a good idea to order at least two additional copies. This then enables you to speed up the registration of probate process as you can send different copies to the different organisations at the same time.
Swearing an oath is no longer required, but you do still need to complete a Statement of Truth.
The link below also provides information as to how to apply for probate online:-