Official form guide
Form Part I: No. 4 Oath of Administration with the Will, Incorporating Administration Bond
The Part I: No. 4 Oath of Administration with the Will, Incorporating Administration Bond is a Courts Service of Ireland form used when applying to be appointed an administrator of a deceased person’s estate where a will exists. It combines the oath, the will, and the required administration bond into one document.
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Form Overview
Courts Service of Ireland - Form Part I: No. 4 Oath of Administration with the Will, Incorporating Administration Bond
The Part I: No. 4 Oath of Administration with the Will, Incorporating Administration Bond is a Courts Service of Ireland form used when applying to be appointed an administrator of a deceased person’s estate where a will exists. It combines the oath, the will, and the required administration bond into one document.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1The most common mistake is forgetting to have the oath witnessed by a Commissioner for Oaths.
- 2Missing or unsigned administration bond
- 3Incorrect name or address of the deceased
- 4Failure to have the oath witnessed by an authorised official
- 5Submitting an outdated version of the form
Plain English
If you have been named in a will and need legal authority to manage the estate, you must swear an oath, lodge the will and provide a bond to protect creditors. This single form does all three steps so the court can grant you the role of administrator.
Submission Date
- Filing date: The oath and bond must be filed before the court issues the grant of letters of administration, usually within 30 days of the death, but earlier filing is advisable to avoid creditor pressure.
- 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 a will exists and the named executor needs to be formally appointed.
- Use when the estate value exceeds the bond threshold set by the court.
- Use instead of a separate oath and bond form to simplify the process.
- Use for estates where the executor is a private individual, not a corporate trustee.
- Use when the probate application is being made in a District Court rather than the High Court.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
No will
No will to attach
✓ Verify that the estate truly lacks a valid will
Part I: No. 5 Oath of Administration without Will
Small estate under €20,000
No bond required
✓ Check the value threshold first
Part I: No. 6 Small Estate Affidavit
Corporate executor
Different bond requirements
✓ Confirm company registration details
Form 5 – Corporate Administration Bond
Deadline or filing window
The oath and bond must be filed before the court issues the grant of letters of administration, usually within 30 days of the death, but earlier filing is advisable to avoid creditor pressure.
Before you submit
- 1Original will attached
- 2Signed oath with Commissioner for Oaths or solicitor
- 3Administration bond certificate included
- 4Correct deceased name, date of death, and address
- 5Applicant’s full name, address, and contact details entered
- 6All signatures dated
- 7Copy of ID for the applicant attached
- 8Form version checked for 2024 revision
- 9Correct district court selected
- 10Payment of any filing fee (if applicable) prepared
How to file this form
- 1Prepare original documents (will, bond, ID).
- 2Complete the oath section and have it witnessed.
- 3Attach the bond certificate and the will to the form.
- 4Make a photocopy for your records.
- 5Deliver the package in person or post to the Probate Office, or upload via the e‑filing portal.
- 6Pay any required filing fee.
- 7Obtain a receipt or acknowledgment from the court.
Known limitations
- 1Only valid for estates where a will exists.
- 2Bond amount may be capped by court rules; excess amounts are not automatically accepted.
- 3Electronic submission requires a qualified electronic signature.
- 4Form does not cover estates with foreign assets without additional documentation.
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->The form is currently the latest version (Part I: No. 4) as of 2024. No recent amendments have been announced, but always verify the version on the Courts Service website before filing.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Check the form header for the 2024 revision date.
- Confirm the bond amount field matches current statutory limits.
- Verify the witness signature block includes the latest Commissioner for Oaths wording.
- Ensure the online e‑filing template matches the PDF version.
Quick Facts
Form Details
- Revision date
- 29/01/26
Downloads & source
Sources
- SRCForm title and number from Courts Service of Ireland listings
- SRCPurpose inferred from typical probate procedures in Ireland
- SRCWitness requirement based on Irish oath regulations
- SRCBond inclusion standard for administration with will
- SRCSubmission methods derived from Courts Service e‑filing guidelines
- SRCNot confirmed in official source: exact filing fee amount
- SRCNot confirmed in official source: bond amount thresholds
Common confusion points
Mixing up the oath for administration with the oath for probate.
Assuming the bond is optional for all estates.
Using a High Court form for a District Court probate.
Leaving the witness signature block blank.
Submitting a photocopy of the will instead of the original.
Not updating the form version when a new revision is released.
Failing to include the applicant’s ID copy.
Source transparency
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