Quick Answer – How to Find a Will in the UK
Fast answer: how to find a will (England & Wales)
If the person died in Scotland or Northern Ireland, the process is different and you’ll need to use the relevant local courts/registries.
If probate has been granted, use the official government search to find the probate record and order a copy online (currently £16 per document).
If the death was recent (often within the last 6 months), probate may not be issued yet — you can place a standing search (£3) so you’re notified when it becomes available.
Source: GOV.UK “Search for probate records and wills” guidance (fees, timing and standing search).
Last updated: 3 March 2026 (fees and process checked against GOV.UK probate search guidance).
Quick comparison: best way to find a will
| Option | When to use | Cost | What you get | Typical timing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online probate search (England & Wales) | Probate has been granted(or likely has) | £16 per document | Copy of the will (if proved) and/or the grant | Records often appear ~2 weeks after probate is issued |
| Standing search | Death was recent and probate may not be granted yet | £3 | Notification when a grant is issued (so you can then order documents) | Ongoing until a grant is issued / period ends |
| Postal search (Form PA1S) | If you can’t use online search or need to broaden the search | £16 | Search carried out and documents if found (per process) | Response often within ~4 weeks |
Introduction
When a loved one passes away, one of the first questions that arises is: “How do I find their will?”
While it might sound straightforward, locating a will in the UK can involve several steps—especially for executors and beneficiaries who are unfamiliar with the process.
In this complete guide, we’ll explain exactly how to find a will, who is legally entitled to see it, when it becomes public, and what to do if it cannot be located. We’ll also explore common problems, how legal professionals can help, and answer the most frequently asked questions.
This “How To Find a Will Guide” covers:
- Who Can Legally Access a Will in the UK?
- When Does a Will Become Public in the UK?
- How to Find a Will in the UK – Step-by-Step
- What to Do If You Can’t Find a Will
- Common Problems You May Face When Trying to Find a Will
- How Legal Professionals Can Help You Find a Will
- Common Myths About Finding a Will
- Real-Life Example
- Quick Checklist – How to Find a Will
- Frequently asked questions
Who Can Legally Access a Will in the UK?
Not everyone has the right to see a will immediately after someone passes away. Access depends on your role:
- Executors – Named in the will to administer the estate. See our Executor Duties Guide for full responsibilities.
- Beneficiaries – People entitled to inherit under the will (access is usually after probate).
- Close Family Members – Spouses, civil partners, and children, particularly those involved in estate administration.
- Others with a Legal Interest – Creditors or those making claims against the estate.
💡 Tip: If you’re unsure of your rights, contact the executor or get advice from our Probate Services.
When Does a Will Become Public in the UK?
A will stays private until probate is granted.
- Before probate – Only the executor or their legal professional can access it.
- After probate – The will becomes a public document and can be found by searching the Probate Registry.
How to Find a Will in the UK – Step-by-Step
Step 1 – Contact the Executor or Legal Professional
The executor should have the original will or know where it’s stored. If the deceased used a legal professional for will writing, they may still hold it. Beneficiaries should start here before moving to public searches.
Step 2 – Search the Probate Registry (England & Wales)
If probate has been granted, you can usually find and order a copy of the will using the official government probate search service.
What you’ll need to search
- The person’s full name
- The year probate was granted (important: this can be different from the year they died)
- Their date of death (helps narrow results)
What you can (and can’t) find
- This search covers England & Wales probate records (not Scotland or Northern Ireland).
- Records are indexed by the year the grant was issued, so if you don’t find anything, try the following year as well.
Which search results actually include a will?
This is where many people get stuck. Not every probate result includes a will.
Look for results that indicate a will is included, such as:
- “Grant and Will”
- “Probate / Grant and Will”
- “Administration (with will) / Grant and Will” (sometimes shown as “Admon with Will”)
If the result looks like “Administration / Grant” (or “Admon” without saying “with will”), that often means there wasn’t a will and the estate was dealt with under intestacy rules.
Cost and timing (what to expect)
- Ordering a document online typically costs £16 per document (for example, the grant and/or will).
- New records often appear online around 2 weeks after probate is issued, so if probate was only granted very recently it may not show immediately.
If you can’t find anything yet (standing search)
If the death was recent and you suspect probate hasn’t been granted yet, you can place a standing search (currently £3) so you’re alerted when a grant is issued.
If you need to search by post
If you can’t use the online service (or need to broaden the search), you can apply by post using form PA1S. This typically costs £16 and responses are often within about 4 weeks.
Tip: If you’re not sure whether probate has been applied for, it’s common for there to be a delay of several months after a death before probate is granted—especially if the estate is complex.
Step 3 – Order a copy of the will (once you’ve found the record)
Once you’ve found the correct probate entry, you can order a copy of the will and the grant through the official government probate search service.
What you’ll receive
In most cases, you can order:
- A copy of the will (if one exists and was proved), and/or
- A copy of the grant of probate (or administration)
How much it costs
- Online copies are typically £16 per document.
How long it takes
- If probate was issued very recently, it can take around 2 weeks for the record to appear online.
- After ordering, delivery times can vary, but ordering online is usually the quickest route.
Common mistakes (and how to avoid them)
- Searching the wrong year: records are listed by the year probate was granted, not necessarily the year of death. If you get no results, try the next year too.
- Assuming every grant includes a will: some results relate to estates dealt with without a will (intestacy), so the probate record may not include a will document.
- If you can’t find a will because there wasn’t one, see our guide to what happens when someone dies without a will (intestacy rules in the UK).
Step 4 – If the Will Is Missing
- Search the deceased’s home, personal files, and safes.
- Ask banks or legal professionals if they have a copy.
- If no will can be found, you must apply for Letters of Administration under intestacy rules.
What to Do If You Can’t Find a Will
If the will is lost, destroyed, or never existed:
- Search Thoroughly – Include paper and digital records.
- Contact Legal Professionals – Probate specialists may have registry access.
- Check the Probate Registry – To confirm whether it’s on record.
- Apply for Letters of Administration – This legal authority allows estate management without a will. Learn more in our Lost Will Legal Options Guide.
Common Problems You May Face When Trying to Find a Will
1. Family Disputes
Beneficiaries and executors sometimes disagree on who should access the will.
Solution: Keep discussions civil and seek mediation before involving the courts.
2. Executor Delays
Executors may be slow in providing information.
Solution: Beneficiaries can request formal updates and seek legal help if necessary.
3. Wills Stored Overseas
If the will is held outside the UK, cross-border probate may be required.
4. Outdated Will Copies
Only the latest signed version of a will is valid. Always verify the date.
How Legal Professionals Can Help You Find a Will
A legal professional can assist executors and beneficiaries by:
- Searching will registries and national databases.
- Contacting banks, storage companies, and law firms.
- Verifying the authenticity and checking for updated versions.
- Advising beneficiaries on their rights and entitlements.
- Managing probate and Letters of Administration applications.
- Setting up protective structures like a Family Probate Trust.
Common Myths About Finding a Will
- Myth: “I can see a will whenever I want.”
Truth: Only the executor can view it before probate. - Myth: “Wills are public once written.”
Truth: Wills remain private until probate is granted. - Myth: “Beneficiaries automatically get to see the will.”
Truth: Beneficiaries gain access only after probate.
Real-Life Example
A woman knew her father had written a will but couldn’t find it. She applied for probate under intestacy rules—only to later discover that the will was stored by a legal professional and had never been updated.
Lesson: Store wills securely, update them regularly, and ensure both executors and beneficiaries know where to find them.
Quick Checklist – How to Find a Will
✅ Contact the executor or legal professional
✅ Search the Probate Registry
✅ Order a copy after probate
✅ If missing, apply for Letters of Administration
✅ Seek legal advice if necessary
Frequently asked questions
How do I find a will online in the UK?
In England & Wales, the most reliable way is to search probate records once probate has been granted. You can search the official government probate service and, if you find the right record, order a copy of the will (where a will exists and was proved).
How much does it cost to get a copy of someone’s will?
If probate has been granted in England & Wales, ordering a copy online through the official probate service typically costs £16 per document.
How long after probate is granted does the will appear online?
It’s common for new probate records to appear online around 2 weeks after probate is issued. If probate was only granted very recently, the record may not show immediately.
What if probate hasn’t been granted yet?
If the death was recent and you believe probate hasn’t been issued, you can place a standing search (typically £3) so you’re notified when a grant is issued. Once the grant exists, you can then order the documents.
Why does my probate search result not include a will?
Not every probate result includes a will. Some estates are dealt with without a will (intestacy), in which case the record may show a grant of administration rather than “grant and will”.
Conclusion
Understanding how to find a will in the UK is crucial for executors, beneficiaries, and family members. By following the correct steps—contacting the executor, searching the Probate Registry, and seeking expert legal advice—you can ensure the deceased’s wishes are respected and the estate is managed correctly.
📌 Need help finding a will or navigating probate? Contact Town & Country Law today.