How long to receive a will from gov.uk

Heidiho

Evening everyone, 

I have been informed by executors that I’m a beneficiary in a will of a distant family friend that died last year. (No need for any sympathy, I didn’t know them very well - it’s a big surprise to find I’m actually in the Will!)

Probate was granted in the middle of June and I purchased a copy of the Will from gov.uk shortly afterwards  (I was curious to see what had been left to me). 

The estimated delivery date was 2.7.21 but I’m still waiting to receive it. I’ve chased them up a few times via the messaging system on the gov.uk website but just get standard, non-personal holding replies (they just say they are waiting for probate registry to send the file). I can’t find a phone number for them so I’m kind of stuck now.

does anyone know of this kind of delay is normal? I’m wondering if there is simply a backlog at the moment or if there is actually something wrong.

RAS

Do just go into your gov.uk account and check that it's not just sitting there.

I waited months when they first set this system up (thousands of frustrated researchers booked lots of wills).

When I got the message, they'd uploaded completely the wrong will. So I made a complaint. 

Heard absolutely nothing apart from an anodyne holding response, then got a reminder that I'd still got the will to view before the deadline.

Before I blew a gasket I went back to check the details to find that they'd uploaded the correct will! When I made a complaint they replied that they corrected mistakes but didn't notify users of the fact.

Heidiho

RAS said:

Do just go into your gov.uk account and check that it's not just sitting there.

I waited months when they first set this system up (thousands of frustrated researchers booked lots of wills).

When I got the message, they'd uploaded completely the wrong will. So I made a complaint. 

Heard absolutely nothing apart from an anodyne holding response, then got a reminder that I'd still got the will to view before the deadline.

Before I blew a gasket I went back to check the details to find that they'd uploaded the correct will! When I made a complaint they replied that they corrected mistakes but didn't notify users of the fact.

Thank you for the reply RAS, and sorry to hear you’ve had a poor experience too.

Yes, I’ve been logging into my gov account to keep an eye on the status (just in case the “order complete” email went astray for some reason). No change so far though.

I suppose I could always ask the executors if I could see the Will, but they are family members of the deceased and I don’t really know them (plus it doesn’t  seem appropriate to ask!). 

Alphatauri

I emailed once I reached the delivery date shown and they emailed ma a copy by return. A further email may prompt a similar response.

sheramber

it has been reported that the Probate Office have big delays.

Staff having to work from home will not help matters. 

O don't think we can expect normal service any time soon.

Marcon

Heidiho said:

The estimated delivery date was 2.7.21 but I’m still waiting to receive it. I’ve chased them up a few times via the messaging system on the gov.uk website but just get standard, non-personal holding replies (they just say they are waiting for probate registry to send the file). I can’t find a phone number for them so I’m kind of stuck now.

does anyone know of this kind of delay is normal? I’m wondering if there is simply a backlog at the moment or if there is actually something wrong.

Perfectly normal. You say you're 'stuck' but all that has happened is your curiosity needs to be put on hold a bit longer!

Shelldean

A friend apply for a copy of an old probate earlier this week and has received the digital copy already

Alan_Bowen

I applied for two wills in the last three months, both arrived the following day, the system appears to be automated and needs little or no human intervention

Ganga

I applied for one ,it turned up BUT was only a copy of the probate application not a full will and testament.