Swearing an oath with a Solicitor

You no longer need to attend at a Probate Registry to swear the oath, but can do it in front of a local Solicitor like this:

1. Complete the Probate Application Form (PA1) using our Sample PA1 for guidance.
2. On the first page in the ‘Interview venue’ box write ‘Solicitor’s Office’ and leave the ‘Dates to avoid’ box blank.
3. Complete IHT205 using our Sample IHT205 for guidance (where there is Inheritance Tax to pay you need to complete IHT400 and pay the tax first).
4. Send both forms to your local Probate Registry
5. The Probate Registry will send the Oath to the first named applicant on the PA1. (If more than 1 applicant, you will all need to swear the Oath however).
6. Make an appointment with a local Solicitor. A Wills & Probate Solicitor is usually best.
7. Take with you the Oath and the original Will and any Codicils.
8. Swearing the Oath will only take a couple of minutes as the Solicitor does not check the documents, it’s just procedural. All you have to do is sign the Oath and the Will (if there is one) and make a declaration.
9. The cost is set at £5 for the Oath and £2 for each extra document, such as the Will. Pay this in cash to the Solicitor.
10. Once this is done, send the completed documents back to the same Probate Registry.
11. You should receive the Grant in a matter of weeks all being well.

You can of course still swear the Oath at the Probate registry if you prefer, where you can speak to the Registrar and they will take you through it. It should take no longer than 15 minutes, however, if you don’t have a Probate Registry nearby, it is usually more convenient to use a Solicitor’s office.