Free Virginia Petition for Probate

How to open probate in Virginia: petition the Circuit Court and request Certificate of Qualification. Va. Code §§ 64.2-443.

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You & the Will

Virginia provides an official fillable petition; we complete it for you.

Opening probate?The whole estate, start to finish.

State Where the Estate Will Be Probated*

The state where the decedent was domiciled. Only states where a self-represented filer can prepare this document are listed.

Did the decedent leave a will?*

Yes — there is a will (request Letters Testamentary)No — there is no will (request Letters of Administration)

Your First Name*

Middle Name

Your Last Name*

Your Relationship to the Decedent*

How you are related to the person who died. Being named executor in the will is asked separately.

Your Street Address*

City*

ZIP Code*

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Frequently Asked Questions About Virginia Probate Petitions

In Virginia, you qualify in person before Circuit Court rather than filing a petition — you bring the original will and the required intake forms to an appointment with the clerk. Clerk of the Circuit Court issues Certificate of Qualification once the court grants the appointment. See how appointment works in Virginia.

You cannot fill out Letters — they are issued by the court. The document you prepare and file is the petition (or application) for probate and for Letters. This tool prepares that petition for Virginia.

Yes. Virginia publishes a statewide fillable form, which this tool completes for you. After downloading, sign it and bring it, with the original will, to your qualification appointment with Circuit Court. The clerk admits the will, administers the oath, and issues your authority document.

Virginia requires a bond by default before Letters issue, unless the will waives it or the beneficiaries waive it in writing. Va. Code §§ 64.2-504 (bond), 64.2-505 (when security not required), 64.2-1411 (qualification without surety, assets <= $35,000)

No. Virginia has no probate e-filing, and there is no petition to file: you qualify in person before Circuit Court, bringing the original will and the completed intake forms to an appointment with the clerk.

Along with the petition, Virginia typically requires: Certified copy of the death certificate; Original will and any codicils, if the decedent left a will; Completed Probate Information Form; List of Heirs; Probate Tax Return.

Opening Probate in Virginia

Before anyone can act for a Virginia estate, Circuit Court must appoint a personal representative and issue Letters. Letters are the court's output — you can't fill them out. The document you file is the petition for probate and for Letters (Va. Code §§ 64.2-443).

Virginia publishes an official statewide petition form. This tool completes that form for you from a few questions about the decedent, the estate, and the heirs or beneficiaries. After downloading, you sign it and file it with the court in the county where the decedent lived.

You file the petition together with the supporting documents the court requires — typically a certified death certificate and, where there is a will, the original will. Virginia requires a bond before Letters issue unless it is waived by the will or by the beneficiaries. The court reviews the petition and, if it is in order, grants it and directs that Letters issue.