Wills from 1858

Copies of all wills and administrations proved after 12 January 1858 can be inspected for a fee in the Probate Search Room, The Probate Service, Principal Registry of the Family Division, First Avenue House, 42-49 High Holborn, London WC1V 6NP (Telephone 020 7947 6000), and in local District Probate Registries. The Principal Registry search room is open from 10.00am to 4.30pm on weekdays, whereas the District Registries are open between 9.30am and 4.00pm. For details about local registries visit Wills Probate or consult The Family and Local History Handbook. Provided the date of death is known, photocopies of registered wills can be ordered by post for a fee from The Court Service, York probate Sub-Registry, First Floor, Castle Chambers, Clifford Street, York YO1 7RG (Telephone 01904 666777). Microfiche copies of the indexes to wills and administrations, 1858-1943, are held at the Family Records Centre and The National Archives, and in local libraries, record offices and Family History Centres. The indexes reveal dates and places of death, as well as the date of probate or administration grant, the names and addresses of executor(s) or administrator(s).

See also The National Archives research guide Wills and Death Duty Records, After 1858.