How to Apply for a Grant of Probate in Singapore

Last updated on June 8, 2026

What is a Grant of Probate?

When a person passes away, and his Last Will is produced, the executor(s) (and trustee(s) where applicable), who have been specifically appointed by the deceased in the will, have to make an Application to the court for a Grant of Probate.

The Grant of Probate is a court order which empowers the executor(s) (and trustee(s) where applicable) to carry out the instructions in the will, which would include the distribution of the deceased’s assets to his specified beneficiaries.

If a Grant of Probate is required and the gross value of the estate does not exceed $5 million, the application should be filed in the Family Justice Courts. If the gross value of the estate exceeds $5 million, the application should be filed in the Family Division of the High Court.

Note: Where the deceased did not leave a will, or the deceased’s will cannot be found, the next-of-kin of the deceased are required to apply to the court for a Grant of Letters of Administration instead. Further, in the event there is no executor named in the will, the court will allow Letters of Administration with the will annexed to be granted to the person(s) the court deems “fittest to administer the estate”.

However, where the deceased did not leave a will, and the value of the estate does not exceed $50,000, you may be able to apply for the Public Trustee to administer the estate, subject to other eligibility requirements.

How to Apply for a Grant of Probate in Singapore

There are 3 ways for you to apply for a Grant of Probate in Singapore:

Take note that applicants must have a Singapore address. For a quick overview of the documents needed to apply for a Grant of Probate, see below.

All the methods to apply for a Grant of Probate are subject to the Family Justice (General) Rules 2024 and the Family Justice Courts Practice Directions 2024, which came into effect on 15 October 2024.

1. Applying for a Grant of Probate in Singapore Via Probate eService

You may want to opt for this method of applying for a Grant of Probate as it is more streamlined. The eService will assist users in preparing the required probate documents for the court, such as the Originating Application and Schedule of Assets.

Users can also autofill some fields using MyInfo and retrieve the deceased’s death information from ICA. You can file everything electronically without the help of a lawyer and without the need to visit the Service Bureau. With guided steps and automated features, the eService minimises the likelihood of errors or omissions in the application process, leading to fewer rejections. Additionally, the online platform reduces administrative delays and eliminates the need for travel and postage costs, making the entire process more efficient, cost-effective, and user-friendly.

However, if you do not meet the eligibility requirements or if there are any errors on the documents filed, your application may require additional steps or documents to be filed, which the eService currently does not have. If you proceed to use the eService nonetheless, your application may be rejected along the way with a fee of $10-$50 per rejected document, and your access to the eService will be discontinued. You will have to visit the Service Bureau to continue your application.

Eligibility to Use the Probate eService

The Probate eService is only available for cases where the total estimated value of the deceased’s estate is not more than $2 million. To use this eService, you must:

Have a Singpass
Be above the age of 21 (based on the exact date of birth)
Be named as the sole executor in the will
Have access to QR-based, debit or credit card payment methods
Have the deceased’s details: If the deceased had passed away in Singapore, their information may be retrieved directly from official government records through the eService
Have ready the following documents so that you can cross-check the information retrieved, or for uploading if necessary:
- If the death occurred on/after 29 May 2022, a copy of the deceased’s digital death certificate issued by the ICA in PDF format.
- If the death occurred before 29 May 2022, a certified true copy of the deceased’s death certificate issued by the ICA. You may approach a lawyer to get the deceased’s death certificate certified as a true copy.
Ensure that your current particulars and the deceased’s particulars are consistent with the relevant supporting documents (The name and identity number in the will is the same as his/her current name and identity number). Otherwise, you will be asked to produce additional documents, and these documents have to be filed personally at the Service Bureau and not through the eService.

Additionally, the deceased must:

Be a Singaporean or a Singapore Permanent Resident
Be domiciled in Singapore at the time of their death
Have passed away in Singapore
Have passed away on or after 15 February 2008
Not be of the Muslim religion (as a different set of procedures apply for this)
Have a valid will that indicates that the deceased had knowledge of the contents of the will
Have a total estimated estate value of not more than $2 million Singapore dollars.

Below are the documents needed:

The physical original will of the deceased.
A certified true copy of the deceased’s will in PDF format with a cover page. You may approach a lawyer to get the deceased’s will certified as a true copy.
The deceased’s digital death certificate or a certified true copy of the death certificate issued by ICA, whichever is applicable.
Schedule of Assets
Administration Oath
Supporting Affidavit
Supplementary Affidavit (if applicable)

Step 1: Fill out and submit the Probate Application form

You can access the eService with your Singpass and submit your application for a Grant of Probate online using the “Probate Application form”. This application authorises you as the sole executor to administer the deceased’s estate in accordance with the will. You can use MyInfo to autofill some fields using your personal information and grant access to retrieve the deceased’s information from ICA’s database (if applicable).

If you have a list of the deceased’s assets and debts ready, you can also fill out the Schedule of Assets (SOA). The SOA can be submitted together with your Probate application, or at a later time, whichever is applicable.

Step 2: Pay the relevant fees

You will need to pay the filing fees for the probate application using QR-based payment, debit, or credit card. A deposit of $400 is required, with an estimated probate application fee of $300. Typically, this leaves a balance of approximately $100 to be refunded. However, if your documents contain errors or inaccuracies, the court may impose rejection fees, which could reduce the refund from your $400 deposit.

Step 3: Present the original will for inspection

After you have submitted your application for a Grant of Probate on the Probate eService, you must present the physical original will for verification at the Probate Registry counter at the Family Justice Courts during its operating hours.

Step 4: Submission of supporting documents

After the court processes the initial documents for your application, you will need to submit:

An Administration Oath by you as the sole executor
A Supporting Affidavit; and
The Schedule of Assets (if applicable).

If you do not have the Schedule of Assets at this juncture, you may still proceed with the rest of the steps.

Step 5: Hearing in court

You may have to attend a Probate hearing if there are any issues or objections raised by the court or other parties regarding your probate application. A Probate hearing is a court session where the judge will review your probate application and decide whether to grant you a Grant of Probate. The court will notify you of the date and time of the hearing if it is necessary.

Step 6: Submission of Supplementary Affidavit and Schedule of Assets

If you were previously unable to complete the Schedule of Assets, you will have to download an Order in Terms and show it to the relevant institutions to obtain the information needed to complete the Schedule of Assets. After which, you will need to file a Supplementary Affidavit exhibiting the Schedule.

Once done, you just need to wait for the court to process your application and issue a Grant of Probate if approved, and you can check the application status on the eService.

2. Applying for a Grant of Probate in Singapore by Engaging a Lawyer

If you do not qualify to use the Probate eService or just simply wish to get the application done properly with expert opinion, you may engage a lawyer to help through the process of applying for a Grant of Probate. This is especially when there are legal issues related to the will or the property, and it is foreseeable that the probate application will be contentious. For example, there could be disputes among beneficiaries.

Lawyers can also assist with the accurate valuation and distribution of assets, ensuring that everything is handled according to the deceased’s wishes. Engaging a lawyer also saves time and reduces stress, as they manage the entire process and oversee the large number of documents, allowing you to focus on other matters during a difficult time.

Step 1: Submission of the main application

The Main Application involves filing the following documents into court:

Originating Application
Certified true copy of the will
Certified true copy of Death Certificate
Schedule of Assets (if available)
Caveat and probate search (optional)

In practice, your lawyer will file the Application electronically using the eLitigation portal. After the documents have been filed in court, a provisional probate case number will be created and a checklist of items will be generated. Your lawyer will have to submit the original will to the Probate Counter at the Family Justice Courts by 4.30pm on the next working day.

Step 2: Submission of supporting documents

Next, your lawyer will file these documents into court by way of the checklist on the eLitigation portal:

Administration Oath
Supporting Affidavit
Schedule of Assets (if applicable)

If the Schedule of Assets is not yet in order, your lawyer will require you to sign the Supporting Affidavit that does not exhibit the Schedule of Assets and file it via the checklist on the eLitigation portal. This is because there is a deadline to file the Supporting Affidavit.

Step 3: Hearing in Court

Upon the filing and acceptance of the application and the Administration Oath, the court will inform your lawyer of a probate hearing date and time.

Your lawyer is required to attend the probate hearing on the scheduled date and time, unless the rest of the supporting documents (Supporting Affidavit and Schedule of Assets) are filed and accepted by the court before the hearing date. In such a case, the court may vacate the hearing date.

Step 4: Submission of Supplementary Affidavit and Schedule of Assets

If you are not able to confirm the details of the deceased’s assets early in the application process, you may ask your lawyer to write to the relevant financial institutions on your behalf upon receiving an Order-in-Terms. (As the financial institutions will require an express authorisation by the executor(s), your lawyer will require you to sign a Letter of Authorisation addressed to each financial institution.)

Once your lawyer receives the relevant information and is able to fill in the Schedule of Assets on your behalf, you will be asked to sign a supplementary affidavit in the presence of a Commissioner for Oaths. The supplementary affidavit exhibits the complete Schedule of Assets. Your lawyer will file both documents on the eLitigation portal. Please note that any future amendments to the Schedule of Assets will have to be done by way of a separate application.

Step 5: Extracting the Grant of Probate

Once the court accepts the supplementary affidavit and Schedule of Assets and further confirms that there are no other documents required*, your lawyer will generally be able to request for the extraction of the grant.

A final search has to be made to ensure that there are no caveats lodged against the Estate or any pending application in relation to the same. The search results must be submitted with the request for extraction.

*Note: There is generally no need for the executor(s) (and trustee(s)) to sign an Administration Bond, since the deceased had specifically entrusted his estate to him by way of the Last Will. The requirements are different for applicants of a Grant of Letters of Administration.

If all documents are in order and all fees are paid, the court will prepare and issue* the Grant of Probate with the engrossed Schedule of Assets annexed. The electronic copy will be sent to your lawyer via the eLitigation portal and a certified true copy of the same should suffice for all purposes.

*Note: The court will not issue a Grant of Probate until the accountable person (executor or administrator) has paid the deceased’s inheritance tax. Inheritance tax is only applicable to persons who died before 15 February 2008, and not on or after 15 February 2008.

You may also ask your lawyer to request for a Paper Grant with the court’s red seal. With the Grant of Probate, the executor(s) (and trustee(s) where applicable) may commence the management and distribution of the deceased’s assets.

3. Applying for a Grant of Probate in Singapore Via LawNet & CrimsonLogic Service Bureau

You can opt for this method of applying for a Grant of Probate if you do not qualify for the Probate eService and are not keen on engaging a lawyer. The process and documents required for this method are the same as the previous method. However, it requires frequent travel to and from the LawNet & CrimsonLogic Service Bureau to access the eLitigation system on-site.

The applicant is to book an appointment to visit the Service Bureau in person to file the application. The Service Bureau will always notify you via email or SMS of whether your application documents have been accepted by the court.

Step 1: Submission of the main application

It is optional to conduct a search on probate cases and caveat. However, if you did conduct the search, you are to submit the relevant documents like the certified true copy of Death Certificate and the certified true copy of the will on the same day.

The Service Bureau will prepare the Originating Application and Schedule of Assets (if all the assets have been accounted for) using the information you provide, and will file the documents on your behalf.

You must also present the original will for verification at the Probate Registry by 4.30pm on the next working day after filing your application. The court will return the original copy after verification. If your application is in order, the court will assign a case number to your application and schedule a hearing date. You have to return to the Service Bureau to collect sealed versions of the Originating Application and Schedule of Assets (if it was filed) that bear a court seal.

Step 2: Submission of supporting documents

Within 14 days after you file an application for Grant of Probate, you will need to submit the Administration Oath, Supporting Affidavit and Schedule of Assets (if applicable) by revisiting the Service Bureau.

Step 3: Hearing in Court

If all of your documents are accepted before the hearing date, the court may approve your application and inform you through a letter not to attend the scheduled hearing. After the court has also approved all relevant supporting documents, the court will issue the Grant of Probate.

If you have not filed the supporting documents or if your documents were not accepted by the court before the hearing date, you are to attend the scheduled hearing.

Step 4: Submission of Supplementary Affidavit and Schedule of Assets

If you have yet to file the Schedule of Assets after you have submitted both your initial application and the Supporting Affidavit, you will need to visit the Service Bureau once again to submit it and wait for a reply from the Service Bureau. Once accepted, collect the sealed document and prepare the Supplementary Affidavit. Finally, return to the Service Bureau to submit the Affidavit and wait for confirmation of court acceptance.

Overview of the Documents Needed to Apply for a Grant of Probate

The Family Justice Courts website provides the public with the forms required for an application for the Grant of Probate. The usual documents include the following:

1. Originating Application in Form 162

From 15 October 2024, applicants are to file an Originating Application in place of the Originating Summons and Statement for Probate or Administration.

The Originating Application may be filed using Form 162 in Appendix C of the Family Justice Courts Practice Directions (FJCPD). Information required in this form includes:

The details of the deceased
The details of the applicant(s)
The order requested, i.e. “Probate be granted to the Applicant(s)”

2. The Schedule of Assets in Form 177

You are required to declare all the assets and debts secured by mortgage in the Schedule of Assets. The Schedule of Assets is used by the court to confirm the value of the estate and to determine the fees payable for the application. It is also referred to by beneficiaries and creditors to ascertain the assets of the estate.

As you are to contact the relevant institutions to obtain the required information regarding the deceased’s assets, you can file the Schedule of Assets even after the scheduled court hearing.

You should try to identify all the assets of the deceased i.e. both real estate as well as all other personal property, and an estimated market value of such property as at the date of death. This includes the deceased’s property outside Singapore.

Real estate refers to the deceased’s HDB flat / private property / part-share in a flat or property.
Personal property refers to any property other than real estate and may include the deceased’s monies in bank accounts (including fixed deposit accounts and unit trust accounts), stocks and shares, insurance policies (please check if the policies have been assigned), vehicle(s), precious jewellery and items in the deceased’s safe deposit box. This list is non-exhaustive and you should ask your lawyer for more specific advice.
It is important to note that monies in the deceased’s CPF accounts are not considered part of the Estate. If the deceased made a CPF nomination, his CPF savings will be distributed to his nominees. If the deceased did not make a CPF nomination, his CPF savings will be distributed by the Public Trustee according to the laws of intestacy i.e. to family members who rank according to the rules of distribution expressed in section 7 of the Intestate Succession Act.

Read our other article for more information on preparing a Schedule of Assets.

3. Certified true copy of the Death Certificate

The certified true copy of the Death Certificate has to be submitted to the court so that the court can verify that the owner of the estate has been legally certified as deceased.

If the Death Certificate cannot be produced, the executor may carry out a search for a Death Record (if he is not able to remember the date of death) or apply for a Death Extract (if he can reproduce the deceased’s full name, NRIC number and date of death). These searches can be applied for on the online extracts portal of the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority here.

4. Certified true copy of the will

The certified true copy of the will to be filed should contain the certification “This is a certified true copy of the original will of [name of deceased] dated [date]” on a cover page attached to the copy of the will.

After the filing of the above documents with the certified true copy of the will, the original will should be submitted to the Probate Counter at the Family Justice Courts by 4.30pm on the next working day. After the court verifies the authenticity of the will, the court will return the will to the applicant (or their lawyer).

The applicant should ensure that the will is in English. If the will was written in another language, the applicant should apply for a translation by the court translator. The translator will have to verify the accuracy of her translation in a supporting affidavit.

Exceptional circumstances:

Should the original will be in the custody of a foreign court, a certified true copy of the will should be submitted in place of the original.
If the original will has been lost, the Probate and Administration Act provides that a draft copy may be submitted instead if it appears that both the draft and final will are identical. However, this situation may be potentially contentious, and it is recommended that you seek legal advice.

5. Caveat and probate search (optional)

An optional search of both the record of caveats and record of probate applications has to be made on the day of the probate application. You may consider making such a search for potentially contentious estates or to avoid having your application rejected in certain cases, e.g. where a grant had already been issued for the same estate.

The application may proceed smoothly if there has not been any caveat or or prior probate applications. A digital copy of the search report (and results of a positive search, if any) has to be attached to the Originating Application.

However, if there are other cases or caveats in relation to the deceased’s estate, it may prevent the court from issuing a grant of probate or letters of administration. Generally, there can only be one valid grant in relation to an estate at any time. If there are competing applications for the same estate, the parties will have to decide how to proceed. Hence, it is advisable to seek legal advice in this case.

6. Administration Oath in Form 167

The executor (or trustee) who is applying for the right to administer the estate has to give an undertaking to the court that he/she will distribute the estate and effects of the deceased according to the deceased’s instructions in the Last Will and to account for the same. The executor will also have to pay the deceased’s outstanding debts using the monies in the Estate. This requirement for the Administration Oath is stated in section 28 of the Probate and Administration Act.

You will need to prepare the Administration Oath in accordance with Form 167 in Appendix A of the FJCPD. You will then sign the Administration Oath in the presence of a Commissioner for Oaths.

7. Supporting Affidavit in Form 163

You are to prepare the Supporting Affidavit in accordance with Form 163 in Appendix A of the FJCPD and sign the supporting affidavit in the presence of a Commissioner for Oaths.

The following documents shall be exhibited in the Supporting Affidavit:

Originating Application (filed and accepted by the court)
The certified true copy of the Death Certificate and Last Will
Schedule of Assets (if applicable)

8. Supplementary Affidavit

If you are not able to confirm the details of the deceased’s assets early in the application process, upon filing the supporting affidavit (without the Schedule of Assets), the court would thereafter grant an “Order-in-Terms” of the probate application. From this point on, you will be able to write to the relevant financial institutions to ask them for detailed information regarding the deceased’s outstanding accounts/monies/shares.

Once you receive the relevant information and are able to complete the Schedule of Assets, you are to prepare and sign a supplementary affidavit in the presence of a Commissioner of Oaths. The supplementary affidavit exhibits the complete Schedule of Assets.

How Long Might It Take to Get a Grant of Probate in Singapore?

If your probate case is non-contentious, you might be able to obtain a Grant of Probate within 2 to 6 months of applying for it in Singapore. However, your application might take longer to process if it is more complex, such as where the deceased has many assets that need to be identified and located.

You should also be able to receive the Grant of Probate within 4 to 6 weeks of filing the last court document.

Find a lawyer for your Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration application here.