Resealing a foreign Grant of Probate
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Administering an estate with assets in more than one country can be complex. Resealing a foreign Grant of Probate can simplify the process, enabling executors to access and administer assets held in England and Wales using the existing Grant.
Our international probate team has over 10 years’ experience handling reseals for clients across jurisdictions including Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Cyprus, combining specialist cross-border expertise with competitive, fixed-fee pricing.
Contact us about resealing a Grant of Probate
What is resealing a Grant of Probate?
When a person domiciled overseas passes away leaving assets in England or Wales, such as bank accounts, property or investments, UK financial institutions and organisations will usually require authority recognised under English law before releasing or transferring those assets.
Resealing a Grant of Probate allows a foreign Grant of Representation, issued in a qualifying jurisdiction, to be recognised by the courts of England and Wales, enabling the personal representative to administer those assets without applying for a separate English Grant.
Why choose Scott Bailey
Specialist experience in resealing foreign Grants
With over 10 years’ experience handling reseal applications, our international probate team can guide you through the process efficiently, avoiding common pitfalls that can cause delays.
Where resealing is not available, we can assist with the alternative grant application required to enable the Personal Representatives to access and administer assets located in England and Wales.
Competitive, fixed-fee pricing
Our fixed fees for resealing a Grant of Probate start from £2,500, with any additional costs explained clearly from the outset.
Expert guidance throughout the reseal process
We make the process as straightforward as possible, providing clear guidance at every stage. Our team support clients remotely by email, phone or video call and can accommodate different time zones where needed.
Flexible support tailored to you
We can support you with the reseal alone or with administering assets in England and Wales afterwards. You do not need to decide at the outset and can ask for further support at any stage.
Pricing
Our fixed fees for resealing a Grant of Probate start from £2,500. This assumes that no UK inheritance tax is payable. If additional work is required, we will explain any further costs before you proceed.
Typical disbursements include:
- Probate Registry fee: £526
- Court-sealed copies: £2 per copy
- ID verification: £30 per executor
- Courier charges: typically £30
If you instruct us to handle the wider estate administration from the outset, our legal fees can usually be recovered from estate funds once they become available, rather than being paid upfront.
Our process
Every estate is different, but the resealing process will typically involve the following steps.
- Initial assessment: We review the estate, the foreign Grant and the assets in England and Wales to confirm the appropriate application and any inheritance tax requirements.
- Provide the required documents: You can send copies of the key estate documents to us by email initially. We will then confirm which original documents are required.
- Complete any inheritance tax requirements: Where required, we prepare and submit the relevant inheritance tax account to HM Revenue & Customs and obtain the probate code needed for the application.
- Prepare and sign the application: We prepare the reseal application for you to review and arrange for any documents requiring an original signature to be completed.
- Submit the application: Once everything is in place, we submit the application and supporting documents to the Probate Registry by post.
- Administer assets in England and Wales: Once the reseal has been issued, it can be used to access, transfer or administer the relevant assets. If required, we can also assist you with this process.
Meet our international probate team
Richard Wadsworth
Richard Wadsworth is Partner and Head of our Wills, Trusts and Probate department.
He has worked for many years in this area of law, having qualified into private client work in 2007. He undertakes all areas of private client work including lifetime estate and tax planning, probate and estate administration, trust creation and administration, Powers of Attorney and Court of Protection work. He also undertakes Executor, Trustee, attorneyship and deputyship appointments, as well as advising clients who are taking on those roles themselves.
Richard has wide experience of dealing with complex Will drafting and complicated estate administration matters including those involving foreign assets, business assets and agricultural assets. His family circumstances have led him to take a particular interest in structuring provision for disabled beneficiaries, assisting families with succession planning and subsequent trust administration.
In 2024, Richard became a full member of STEP, demonstrating his commitment to high professional standards and specialist expertise in advising families across generations.
What documents do you need to reseal a Grant of Probate?
The documents required will depend on the estate, but typically include:
- Death certificate
- Original court-sealed and certified copy of the foreign Grant of Representation, with the will annexed where applicable
- Certified translations, where documents are not in English
- Details and values of assets held in England and Wales
- Relevant correspondence from banks, investment providers or other asset holders
Copies can usually be sent to us by email initially. We will confirm which original documents need to be sent by post or courier before the application is submitted – we suggest sending all documents together to reduce unnecessary courier costs.
Requirements can vary by jurisdiction; our team will explain any specific requirements at the outset.
FAQs
Can a Grant of Probate from any country be resealed in England and Wales?
No. Resealing is only available for Grants issued in qualifying jurisdictions. We regularly assist with Grants from countries including Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Cyprus. Where resealing is not available, a separate Grant of Representation application may be required.
What jurisdictions are eligible for resealing a Grant of Probate?
Most Commonwealth jurisdictions are eligible for resealing in England and Wales. The full list of jurisdictions is set out in the Colonial Probates Act Application Order 1965.
Do I need to be in England or Wales to apply for a reseal?
No. We regularly support clients based overseas and the process can be handled remotely by email, phone or video call.
What if I only have an electronic copy of the foreign Grant of Representation?
The Probate Registry requires an original court-sealed and certified copy of the foreign Grant. An electronic or solicitor-certified copy will not normally be sufficient. Whilst electronic copies are now issued by default in some jurisdictions, such as Australia, you can request a paper copy for the purposes of a reseal in England and Wales.
Do I need to pay inheritance tax when resealing a Grant?
Whether inheritance tax is payable will depend on factors including the value of the assets, the deceased’s UK residence history and any available allowances, exemptions or reliefs.
However, even when no tax is payable, an inheritance tax account may still need to be submitted before the reseal application can proceed. We will confirm the requirements once we have reviewed the estate.
Can you help administer the assets after the Grant has been resealed?
Yes. You can instruct us to assist with administering assets in England and Wales from the outset or ask us for ad hoc support once the reseal has been issued.
How long does it take to reseal a Grant of Probate?
The Probate Registry currently advises that applications may take at least 12 weeks to process from the date of submission, although some are completed sooner. Processing times can vary and are subject to change, so ask your adviser for the latest estimate.
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Phone: 01590 676933
Fax: 01590 679663
Scott Bailey LLP, 63 High Street, Lymington, Hampshire, SO41 9ZT
