As of 17th November 2025, the fee for obtaining copies of probate wills, grants, or letters of administration has risen from £1.50 to £16 per copy. This represents a 967% increase, introduced under The Court and Public Guardian Fees (Miscellaneous Amendments) Order 2025. The increase of probate copy fees reflects the costs of recovery, meaning the extra costs of fees will cover the administration in supplying these documents.
History of Probate Copy Fees
Before July 2019, the fee for obtaining a copy of a will or grant was £10. In that month, the government reduced the fee to £1.50 for all users. The reduction was to end bulk access to documents for commercial data providers, this change would force them to pay the public fee per document.
How Will The Probate Copy Fee Increase Affect The Industry
The government’s ‘Find A Will’ service has implemented two separate probate copy fees for individual users and bulk access:
- Fees for Specific Requests: To request a copy of a document of a named individual, costing £16. Aimed towards for the general public, solicitors or probate genealogists finding a specific individual.
- Fee for Bulk Access: Requesting bulk copies of documents of individuals not named, costing £1.50. The reduced fee is aimed for commercial data suppliers and organisations as they are not asking for named individuals.
The higher fees for specific requests may discourage individuals from purchasing documents and create a barrier for those with limited financial resources. The price increase of 967% undermines the principle that public records should be accessible to all users.
To access copies of wills is a vital contributor to probate genealogical research, the increase of costs risks setting back progress in the industry. In some scenarios, this can be problematic when researchers are uncertain whether they are requesting the correct individual’s document.
Reasons For The Increase
The Court and Public Guardian Fees Order 2025 states that the increase will align with the cost of recovery and ensure the service continues to be delivered efficiently. A spokesperson from the Ministry of Justice explained that they are speeding up probate by recruiting additional staff and investing in digital services. The increase of the probate copy fee reflects the true cost of the service.
Final Thoughts
While awaiting the government website to update with the increased charges for probate records and wills, the concern is growing across the legal community and the general public. Last year, the fee for a copy of a property title searches from HM Land Registry doubled from £3 to £7. Now, the jump in probate copy fees from £1.50 to £16 raises serious questions about transparency and fairness.
If a loved one has passed away intestate or you’re unsure if a will exists, we’re here to help. Please get in touch with us today.
