Apply for Probate Online in NZ | Simply Probate

Can You Apply for Probate Online in New Zealand?

New Zealanders increasingly expect to handle legal matters online. If you have searched for “apply for probate online” or “online probate application NZ,” you are not alone — these are among the fastest-growing probate search terms in the country.

The short answer: the High Court of New Zealand does not accept online probate filings. The court requires the original will and an original witness-signed affidavit, so all applications must be filed at the Wellington High Court Probate Registry by post or in person. But that does not mean you need to sit in a lawyer’s office to get there.

Simply Probate handles the entire preparation process online — from initial instructions through to providing you with a completed application ready to file.

How Probate Filing Works in New Zealand

Probate in New Zealand is governed by the Administration Act 1969 and the High Court Rules 2016. To obtain a grant of probate, the executor named in the will must file an application at the High Court.

The application includes:

• The original will (and any codicils)
• An affidavit signed by a witness to the will
• An application in the prescribed form
• The filing fee ($269 as at 2026)

The executor files these documents at the Wellington High Court Probate Registry (all probate applications in New Zealand are centralised in Wellington). The process is paper-based because the original will and the original witness-signed affidavit must be submitted to the court — electronic copies are not accepted.

Once filed, a grant of probate is typically issued within about two weeks.

What “Online Probate” Actually Means

When people search for “online probate application,” they generally mean one of two things:

1. Filing the application electronically with the court — this is not available in New Zealand because the court requires the original will and original witness-signed affidavit.
2. Preparing the application online without visiting a lawyer’s office — this is exactly what Simply Probate does.

Simply Probate is an online probate preparation service. You instruct us remotely — by phone, email, or through our online process. We prepare the full application, including all required documents and forms. You receive a completed application ready to file at the Wellington High Court Probate Registry.

No office visits. No appointments. No hourly billing.

How Simply Probate’s Online Process Works

Step 1: Get in touch. Contact us by phone (027 603 6144) or through the website. We will confirm whether probate is required and whether your situation is straightforward.

Step 2: Provide your instructions. Send us the will, death certificate, and basic information about the estate. This is done entirely by email or secure file transfer — no need to visit an office.

Step 3: We prepare the application. We prepare all court documents, including the application form, supporting statements, and any other documents required by the High Court Rules.

Step 4: You file at the High Court. We provide the completed application pack with clear filing instructions. You (or someone on your behalf) file it at the Wellington High Court Probate Registry and pay the $269 filing fee directly to the court.

Step 5: Court issues the grant. The High Court processes the application and issues the grant of probate, typically within about two weeks.

Online Preparation vs Traditional Lawyer

	Traditional law firm	Simply Probate
How you instruct	Office appointment required	Entirely online/remote
Fee structure	Hourly rate ($300–$500+/hr)	Fixed fee of $699 + GST
What you receive	Completed application	Completed application
Who files at court	Varies — often the firm files on your behalf	You file (we provide full instructions)
Timeline	Depends on firm availability	Documents ready within days of receiving instructions
Office visits needed	Usually 1–2	None

When Online Probate Preparation May Not Be Suitable

Simply Probate handles straightforward, uncontested probate applications. Our online service may not be suitable if:

• The will is being contested or there is a dispute among beneficiaries — see our guide on contesting a will in New Zealand
• There are complex trust structures within the estate
• The estate involves overseas assets requiring separate grants
• Letters of administration are required and there are competing applicants who cannot agree

In these situations, you may need a litigation lawyer or a specialist estate lawyer. We will tell you upfront if your matter falls outside what we handle.

Do You Still Need to Visit the High Court?

All probate applications in New Zealand are filed at the Wellington High Court Probate Registry, regardless of where you live. You do not need to travel to Wellington — applications can be filed by post.

Simply Probate provides clear filing instructions with every completed application, including the postal address for the Wellington Probate Registry and what to include with your filing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply for probate online in New Zealand?

No. The court requires the original will and an original witness-signed affidavit, so applications cannot be filed electronically. All probate applications are filed at the Wellington High Court Probate Registry, by post or in person. However, you can have the entire application prepared online through a service like Simply Probate, so you only need to handle the filing step.

How does online probate preparation work?

You provide instructions remotely by phone or email. Simply Probate prepares all court documents, including the application form and supporting statements. You receive a completed application pack ready to file at the Wellington High Court Probate Registry (by post from anywhere in NZ). No office visits are required.

How much does it cost to apply for probate online?

Simply Probate’s fixed fee is $699 + GST for preparing the application. The High Court filing fee of $269 is paid separately by the executor when filing. There are no hourly rates and no hidden charges.

How long does the online probate process take?

Simply Probate typically has documents ready within days of receiving full instructions. Once filed at the High Court, a grant of probate is usually issued within about two weeks.

Is online probate preparation legitimate?

Yes. Simply Probate prepares the same court documents that any law firm would prepare. The application is filed at the High Court in the standard way. The difference is that the preparation is done remotely, so you do not need to visit a lawyer’s office.

What if my probate application is not straightforward?

Simply Probate handles uncontested probate applications for estates within New Zealand. If the will is being contested, the estate involves overseas assets, or there are complex trust structures, we will let you know upfront and can refer you to an appropriate specialist.