Official form guide
Form Part I: No.26 Citation to Introduce And Deposit a Will[if any there be]and to Accept or Refuse Probate Thereof, and in case of no Will, to Accept or Refuse Letters of Administration
Part I: No.26 is a court form used to lodge a will with the Probate Office and to state whether the applicant accepts or refuses probate (if there is a will) or letters of administration (if there is no will). It is filed when the estate of a deceased person is being opened in the Irish courts.
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Form Overview
Courts Service of Ireland - Form Part I: No.26 Citation to Introduce And Deposit a Will[if any there be]and to Accept or Refuse Probate Thereof, and in case of no Will, to Accept or Refuse Letters of Administration
Part I: No.26 is a court form used to lodge a will with the Probate Office and to state whether the applicant accepts or refuses probate (if there is a will) or letters of administration (if there is no will). It is filed when the estate of a deceased person is being opened in the Irish courts.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1The most common mistake is forgetting to attach the original will when you accept probate.
- 2Submitting the form without the original will attached
- 3Misspelling the deceased’s name or date of death
- 4Choosing the wrong option – accept vs. refuse
- 5Sending the form to the wrong district court
Plain English
When someone dies, the court needs to know if you want to be the executor (with a will) or the administrator (without a will). This form lets you hand in the will, if there is one, and tells the court whether you agree to take on the role or step aside.
Submission Date
- Filing date: There is no strict statutory deadline, but the court expects the form to be filed within a few weeks of death; delays can hold up the grant of probate or administration.
- Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
- Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.
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What this form is for
- Use when you have a will and want to become the executor.
- Use when there is no will and you wish to be the administrator.
- Use to formally deposit the original will with the court.
- Use if you need to formally refuse probate or administration.
- Do not use for contested wills – a separate application is required.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Will contested
Requires court hearing
✓ Verify if any objections exist
Form No. 27 (Application for Probate)
No will, multiple claimants
Handles multiple applicants
✓ Confirm all claimants are listed
Form No. 28 (Letters of Administration with Will Annexed)
Executor resigns after probate granted
Changes executor after grant
✓ Submit after grant is issued
Form No. 30 (Renunciation of Probate)
Deadline or filing window
There is no strict statutory deadline, but the court expects the form to be filed within a few weeks of death; delays can hold up the grant of probate or administration.
Before you submit
- 1Death certificate copy attached
- 2Original will (or codicils) attached
- 3Applicant’s full name and address entered
- 4Correct option (accept/refuse) ticked
- 5Signature and date on declaration
- 6Form printed clearly or completed electronically
- 7Correct district court address used
- 8Postage paid or online submission confirmed
- 9Receipt or acknowledgment saved
How to file this form
- 1Collect required documents (death certificate, will, ID).
- 2Complete the form using black ink or the online portal.
- 3Attach the original will securely.
- 4Sign and date the declaration section.
- 5Deliver the form to the Probate Office – in person or by post.
- 6Obtain a receipt or email confirmation.
- 7Keep copies of everything for your records.
Known limitations
- 1Form does not cover contested wills – separate court proceedings required.
- 2Only accepts one executor/administrator per submission.
- 3Online submission may not be available in all districts.
- 4No provision for electronic signatures in the paper version.
Field map
Compact field-by-field guide
Proceedings
3 items
The names of the parties exactly as they appear on the originating document.
The court record number for the case, if one has been assigned.
The court and the office where the document is being filed.
Substance
2 items
What you are asking the court to do, or the information the form requires.
The facts relied on and any documents exhibited with the filing.
Execution
1 items
Signed, sworn or certified as the form requires, with proof of service where needed.
Almost done reviewing the fields?
Fillable formOpen in Editor->Form Part I: No.26 is currently in force and has not been superseded as of the latest Courts Service update (2024). No recent amendments are known.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Check that the form header shows Part I: No.26.
- Verify the date on the form is 2024 or later.
- Confirm the field for ‘Accept or Refuse Probate’ is present.
- Ensure there is a section for attaching the original will.
- Look for any new guidance notes attached to the form.
Quick Facts
Form Details
- Revision date
- 29/01/26
Downloads & source
Sources
- SRCForm title and number inferred from user input.
- SRCPurpose (will deposit, accept/refuse probate) inferred from title.
- SRCTypical filing location (Probate Office, District Court) based on standard Irish practice.
- SRCNo official source consulted; all statements marked as inferred or not confirmed in official source where uncertain.
Common confusion points
Difference between accepting probate and accepting letters of administration.
Whether a copy of the will is enough – the original must be deposited.
How to refuse probate if you are named executor but cannot act.
Which district court to file in – usually where the deceased lived.
Whether the form can be filed online or only in person.
How long to keep the original will after the grant is issued.
Source transparency
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