The Grant of Probate is the legal document that confirms your authority as executor to manage the estate. Until you have it, you cannot sell property, close accounts, or distribute assets to beneficiaries. Understanding how long the Grant takes — and what affects the timeline — helps you plan ahead. For the full probate process from start to finish, see our guide to how long probate takes in Ireland.
This article focuses specifically on the Grant itself: what happens between submitting your application and receiving the document, what the current waiting times are, and what you can do to avoid delays.
What happens before you apply for the Grant
Before you can apply to the Probate Office, you must complete and submit the Statement of Affairs (Probate) Form SA.2 — an online form filed through Revenue's myAccount or ROS portal. This form details all the estate's assets, liabilities, and beneficiaries. Once Revenue processes the SA.2, you receive a Notice of Acknowledgement (Probate), which you need to include with your Probate Office application.
How long the SA.2 stage takes depends on the estate. If all asset values are to hand and the estate is straightforward, the form can be submitted and acknowledged within days. For estates needing property valuations, business asset assessments, or cross-border tax calculations, this preparatory stage can take several weeks or months.
Current Probate Office processing times
The Dublin Probate Office currently schedules personal application appointments approximately 10 to 12 weeks after receiving your application. After the appointment, the Grant is typically posted within three weeks. This means the total time from application to Grant is roughly 13 to 15 weeks for personal applicants.
Processing times have improved considerably. According to parliamentary records, the nationwide average fell from 22 weeks at the start of 2024 to 11 weeks by year end. Dublin saw an even sharper improvement, dropping from 25 weeks to 7 weeks over the same period. The government has set an 8-week target for probate processing, and digital reforms — including the eProbate system — are being rolled out to reduce times further.
Solicitor-lodged applications follow a different process. Rather than attending an appointment, solicitors submit applications on paper and the Probate Office processes them in order of receipt. The current processing time for solicitor applications is broadly similar, though it varies by office and workload.
Timeline breakdown: from application to Grant
The table below shows realistic timeframes for each stage between submitting your Probate Office application and receiving the Grant. These figures apply to personal applicants in Dublin; solicitor applications and other registries may differ.
Revenue filing (SA.2)
1–2 weeks
2–8 weeks
Depends on estate complexity and whether valuations are ready
Probate Office queue
8–12 weeks
12–16+ weeks
Personal applicants wait for appointment; solicitor applications are processed on paper
Appointment and review
1 day
1–2 weeks
Personal applicants attend in person; solicitors may have queries raised
Grant issued (posted)
Approximately 3 weeks
3–4 weeks
Posted after appointment or once all queries are resolved
Estimated timeframes from Probate Office application to Grant issue. Based on current Courts Service processing times. Individual circumstances will vary.
| Stage | Straightforward | Complex or delayed | What affects timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue filing (SA.2) | 1–2 weeks | 2–8 weeks | Depends on estate complexity and whether valuations are ready |
| Probate Office queue | 8–12 weeks | 12–16+ weeks | Personal applicants wait for appointment; solicitor applications are processed on paper |
| Appointment and review | 1 day | 1–2 weeks | Personal applicants attend in person; solicitors may have queries raised |
| Grant issued (posted) | Approximately 3 weeks | 3–4 weeks | Posted after appointment or once all queries are resolved |
What causes delays to the Grant
The most common reason the Grant takes longer than expected is that the application is returned due to errors. The Probate Office checks every application for accuracy, and even small mistakes can mean your application is sent back. Once returned, you must correct the issues and resubmit — which resets your place in the queue.
Beyond application errors, delays can also stem from the pre-application stage. If you submit the SA.2 with estimated rather than confirmed asset values, Revenue may query the form. If the will is ambiguous or a beneficiary contests it, the Probate Office may require additional evidence before issuing the Grant. For a detailed look at all the causes of delay, see our article on why probate takes so long in Ireland.
How to keep the process moving
While you cannot control Probate Office processing times, you can control the quality of your application. Most avoidable delays stem from errors that could have been caught before submission.
Should you get professional help?
For simple estates — a valid will, one property, bank accounts, and cooperative beneficiaries — many executors successfully apply for the Grant themselves as personal applicants. The Courts Service provides guidance for personal applicants, and the process is manageable if you are thorough with the paperwork.
Professional guidance is worth considering when the estate is more complex — multiple properties, business interests, foreign assets, or potential disputes. In some situations, the law requires you to use a solicitor. For example, you must appoint a solicitor where the applicant does not reside in Ireland and non-spouse beneficiaries will inherit €20,000 or more, or where the original will has been lost. A solicitor experienced in probate can also ensure your application is right the first time, avoiding the delays that come with rejected applications.
For a breakdown of what professional support costs, see our guide to probate costs and fees in Ireland.