Probate in NT
Updated 20 August 2026 · Supreme Court of the Northern Territory
Probate in Northern Territory is granted by the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory. Filing runs through Paper filing with the Supreme Court registry in Darwin or Alice Springs. Here's what it costs, how it works, and how long it's currently taking.
Current wait times
Filing fees
| Estate value | Filing fee |
|---|---|
| All estates (flat fee) | $1,548 |
The Territory charges one flat fee — the highest flat filing fee in the country — regardless of estate value. See the full NT cost guide for solicitor fees and total-cost examples.
The NT process
Advertise in the NT News
The notice of intended application must run at least 14 days before you lodge.
Prepare the application
Application, executor's affidavit and the statement of assets and liabilities, sworn or affirmed.
File with the registry and pay $1,548
Paper documents, the original will and the death certificate are lodged in Darwin or Alice Springs.
Receive the grant
Allow four to eight weeks for a clean application.
Documents and forms
- NT News notice of intended application
- Application for probate
- Executor's affidavit
- Statement of assets and liabilities
- Original will and death certificate
NT family provision claims must be filed within 12 months of the grant.
No will?
When there's no valid will, the closest next of kin applies for letters of administration in NT instead. Letters of administration follow the same advertising and registry process.
Small estates
No statutory threshold; the NT Public Trustee can administer small estates and banks apply their own release rules. Start with Do I need probate? before assuming you need a grant at all.
More NT guides
- How to apply for probate in NT — the process in detail
- Cost of probate in NT — fees and fixed quotes
- How long probate takes in NT — current times
- Letters of administration in NT — no-will estates
- Contesting a will in NT — eligibility and the deadline
- NT probate forms — every document, explained
Talk to a NT probate lawyer
Compare fixed-fee quotes from firms that handle NT grants every week — or browse the directory.
Get fixed-fee probate quotesBrowse the NT lawyer directory →
Sources
- Supreme Court of the NT — wills and probate (supremecourt.nt.gov.au)
- NT probate fees 2026–27 (nationalprobate.com.au/nt/probate/costs)
- NT Law Handbook — estates