Contact details, how to apply, and what to expect when submitting your probate application
The Probate Office is part of the Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals Service (NICTS). It handles all applications for Grants of Probate and Letters of Administration in Northern Ireland.
Address
Probate Office
2nd Floor, Royal Courts of Justice
Chichester Street
Belfast BT1 3JF
Telephone
0300 200 7812
For administrative advice only — they cannot give legal advice
probate@courtsni.gov.uk
Opening Hours
Monday to Friday
10:00am – 12:30pm
2:00pm – 4:00pm
By appointment only
Since June 2021, you can apply for probate online through the NI Courts Probate Portal. This is now the recommended method — it's faster, available 24/7, and you can track your application's progress.
Online Portal Benefits
The portal handles both Grant of Probate (with a will) and Letters of Administration (without a will) applications. You must be aged 18 or over to apply.
Create an account on the NI Courts Probate Portal, upload your documents, and pay the court fee online.
Send everything by post to the Probate Office. Include a cheque or postal order for the court fee.
You can attend the Probate Office in person, but you must book an appointment first. The office will try to schedule your appointment within three weeks.
Completed NIPF7 form
The probate application form with full estate details
Original death certificate
The official certificate from the Registrar (not a photocopy)
Original will
If one exists — the physical original document, not a copy
Court fee payment
£407 total (£326 grant fee + £81 personal application fee) for estates over £10,000
Estate valuation evidence
Bank statements, property valuations, pension letters showing date-of-death values
Photo ID
If attending in person — passport or driving licence
Once the Probate Office receives your complete application with all required documents and the correct fee:
Typical processing time
Typical wait for an in-person appointment
Delays happen when: the NIPF7 form is incomplete or contains errors, supporting documents are missing, the estate valuation doesn't add up, or the court fee payment is incorrect. Getting your application right first time is the single biggest factor in avoiding delays.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Grant fee (estate over £10,000) | £326 |
| Personal application fee (no solicitor) | £81 |
| Total | £407 |
| Estate valued at £10,000 or less | No fee |
Both fees are reimbursable from the estate once you have access to the deceased's bank accounts. You do not need to pay these from your own pocket permanently.
There is also a Probate Office in Londonderry for those in the north-west of Northern Ireland. Both offices handle the same types of applications and have the same fees.
Contact the main number (0300 200 7812) or email probate@courtsni.gov.uk for Londonderry office appointment availability.
The most common reason for delays is an incomplete or incorrect NIPF7 form. Probate Direct prepares your entire application — forms, valuations, and submission guidance — for a fixed fee of £395.