Searching the Probate Registry
The Probate Registry has access to a record of all Grants issued by the Court.
A search fee is payable upfront regardless of whether documents on the file are provided to you. Payment options include EFTPOS, bank or solicitor cheque or cash.
Please be advised that there is a high demand in search requests and applications. The Probate Registry will endeavour to action search requests within 28 days.
If a reason for urgency is provided and in the opinion of the Registrar is valid a shorter time frame will be met.
Please note: A search request cannot be held by the Probate Registry pending the filing of an application. Search requests are processed against the records held by the Registry at the time the search is conducted. If an application has not yet been filed when your search request is received and processed, the Registry cannot retain the request and conduct the search at a later date when the application is filed.
If you require confirmation of whether an application has subsequently been filed, a new search request will need to be lodged.
For finalised records from 1995 onwards, a search request should be made to the Supreme Court Probate Registry. Search requests to the Probate Registry should be made using the Search Request Form.
For finalised records from 1825 to 1995 please enquire with the Tasmanian Archives and Heritage Office, located at 91 Murray Street Hobart. Research enquiries: (03) 6165 5538.
Enquiring about an application that may have been received but no Grant has yet issued
The Probate Registry deals with thousands of applications for Grants of Probate and Letters of Administration each year. Before an application is filed with the Probate Registry, a notice of intention must be published on the Court’s website. Notices of intention will tell you:
- Who intends to apply for a Grant
- The type of application they intend to make
- The date of any Will that they are intending to prove
- The address for service that you can use to contact the applicant
There is no timeframe for filing an application with the Probate Registry after publishing a notice of intention, other than a legal requirement to wait 14 days after publication of a notice before filing the application. However an application may not be filed with the Probate Registry for weeks or months.
If a Notice of Intention has been published on the Court’s website you can choose to either:
- Contact the applicant via the address for service noted in the Notice of Intention; or
- Lodge a search request with the Probate Registry
Beneficiary
If a beneficiary would like to know why a Grant is necessary they should refer to the Probate and Administration page of our website. If a beneficiary would like to know why there is a delay in a Grant issuing they should discuss this directly with:
- the applicant;
- the applicant’s lawyer, or if need be;
- the Law Society or Legal Profession Board.
Obtaining an Exemplification or Certified Copy
Exemplification and certified copy requests should be made using the Exemplification and Certified Copy Request Form.
An exemplification is an official extract of the grant issued under the seal of the Supreme Court of Tasmania. It has the authority of an original grant and can be used by the executors or administrators if:
- the original grant is lost,
- where a court authorised copy is required or
- a sealed copy is needed for a reseal in another jurisdiction.
A fee is payable. Payment options include cash, cheque or EFTPOS.