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Withdraw a Will from HMCTS Storage UK: Full Guide

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Written by Brad Askew Solicitor (non-practising)
Brad is on the roll of solicitors of England & Wales but does not hold a practising certificate and does not provide legal advice.
Updated June 2026 · England & Wales
If you or someone you act for has a will lodged in safe custody with HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS), there may come a point when you need to take it back out of storage. That could be because the testator wants to make changes, because probate is being applied for after a death, or simply because the will is being moved to a different arrangement. The process is free to use, but it has its own forms, identity checks and supporting paperwork that you need to get right first time. This guide walks through how to retrieve a will held by HMCTS, who is entitled to ask for it, what documents you will need to gather, and what happens after the request is submitted.

What this document is

HMCTS runs a national safe custody service where testators in England and Wales can deposit an original will or codicil for storage. When a will is lodged, the testator is issued with a certificate of deposit and a safe custody reference number.

That will then stays in the service until the testator asks for it back during their lifetime, or until someone acting after their death applies to have it released so that probate can be dealt with. Withdrawal is the formal process of asking HMCTS to remove the document from safe custody and send it to the person who is legally entitled to receive it.

The rules on who can apply differ depending on whether the testator is still alive. While the testator is alive, only they can request withdrawal. After death, the application usually comes from an executor named in the will, or from someone authorised by the executors to act on their behalf. The form used for this is PA7A, and there is no charge for submitting it.

How to use this document

  1. Locate the deposit certificate and reference. Before starting, try to find the original certificate of deposit issued when the will was lodged, along with the safe custody reference number. These help HMCTS match the request to the correct document quickly. If the certificate has been lost or cannot be found, you can still apply, but you will need to explain the situation clearly on the form.
  2. Download and complete form PA7A. The PA7A form is available on gov.uk and is the only route for withdrawing a will held in HMCTS safe custody. Fill in all sections that apply to your circumstances, making sure the testator's details match the records held in storage. Accurate names, dates of birth and addresses reduce the chance of the form being rejected or delayed.
  3. Gather supporting evidence. If the testator has died, you will usually need to include a death certificate. English and Welsh full death certificates do not need to be copied to the form, but an interim certificate should be scanned and attached. Death certificates issued outside England and Wales need to be checked with HMCTS directly. If you are not an executor, include a signed letter of authority from the executors confirming you may act.
  4. Sign, date and submit the application. Once the form is complete, sign and date it. A wet ink signature, a scanned signature or a typed signature may all be accepted depending on how you submit. Double check every page before sending, as missing pages or inconsistent details are the most common reasons withdrawal requests are delayed while HMCTS asks for more information.
  5. Wait for HMCTS to process and release the will. After submission, the safe custody team will verify the identity of the applicant and the authority to act, retrieve the document from storage, and send it out to the address provided. Timescales vary, so if you are working to a probate deadline, allow plenty of buffer. If you hear nothing back after a reasonable period, contact the Probate Helpline to check progress.

Common questions

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Common questions

Q Who is allowed to withdraw a will held in HMCTS safe custody?
While the testator is alive, only they can ask for their will to be released back to them. After the testator has died, the application will normally come from an executor named in the will. Someone else can act on the executors' behalf, but they will need to provide a letter of authority signed by the executors confirming that arrangement before HMCTS will release the document.
Q Is there a fee for using form PA7A to withdraw a will?
No, HMCTS does not charge a fee for submitting a PA7A application to withdraw a will from safe custody. The service itself is free. You may still incur other costs around probate, such as application fees or the cost of obtaining extra death certificates, so it is worth checking gov.uk for current probate fees if you are also applying for a grant.
Q What if I have lost the certificate of deposit?
The certificate of deposit and safe custody reference help HMCTS find the correct will quickly, but losing them does not block your application. You can still complete form PA7A and explain on the form that the certificate cannot be located. HMCTS will then carry out its own checks using the testator's personal details to match the request to the document in storage.
Q Do I need to include a death certificate with the application?
If the testator has died and you hold a full death certificate issued in England or Wales, you do not need to send a copy with the form. If you only have an interim death certificate, include a scan or copy. For death certificates issued outside England and Wales, contact the HMCTS safe custody team first to confirm what they need before you submit.
Q How long does it take for HMCTS to release a will?
Processing times vary depending on the volume of applications and whether the paperwork is complete. Straightforward requests with clear supporting documents are usually dealt with faster than those that need follow-up questions. If you are working to a deadline for a probate application, it is sensible to send your PA7A well in advance and to keep the safe custody reference to hand when making any chaser calls.
Q Can I cancel a storage arrangement without withdrawing the will?
Withdrawal is the standard way to take a will out of HMCTS safe custody, whether you plan to store it elsewhere, hand it back to the testator, or use it for probate. There is no separate 'cancel storage' route. Once the will has been released to you, the HMCTS storage record is closed and responsibility for safekeeping passes back to whoever now holds the original document.
Q Who do I contact if I have questions before applying?
HMCTS runs a Probate Helpline on 0300 303 0648, open Monday to Friday during standard business hours and closed on bank holidays. Standard call charges apply. For specific queries about wills held in safe custody, you can also email the HMCTS safe custody wills mailbox. General probate questions can be sent to the Ministry of Justice enquiries address.
If you're dealing with this kind of situation, speak to an experienced legal adviser who can walk you through it — from £89.

Sources

This guide is based on primary UK law and official guidance.

Brad Askew, Solicitor (non-practising)

Written & reviewed by

Brad Askew Solicitor (non-practising)

Brad is on the roll of solicitors of England & Wales but does not hold a practising certificate and does not provide legal advice. LegalDocuments.co.uk is not a law firm and does not provide regulated legal advice.

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Legal disclaimer
This article is for general information only. It is a tool to help you find your way — not legal advice, and not a substitute for speaking to a qualified adviser about your situation.