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Submitting a claim

If you believe you are an entitled blood relative, then you need to submit your name, contact information, family history and details of your relationship to the deceased using the 'are you an entitled relative' online search on the Bona Vacantia link below. You will need to enter the surname of the deceased or use the alphabetical search to locate the correct estate. After locating, click on the deceased person's surname which will then open the claim for completion.

Alternatively, if you unable to locate the estate, then contact the Treasury Solicitor using the contact details below. When writing to the Treasury Solicitor, it would be helpful if you enclosed a simple family tree to show how you are related:

Treasury Solicitor's Office (BV)
One Kemble Street
London
WC2B 4TS
Email: bvinfo@tsol.gsi.gov.uk

• Are you an entitled relative online search Opens new window

Other information the Treasury Solicitor requires

When submitting your claim, it would help if you could give information that you or your family may have about the deceased person's life history. For example, the deceased person's occupation, last known address. It would help if you could state the last time you were in contact with the deceased.

Do all relatives need to put in a claim?

No. The Treasury Solicitor only needs to receive a claim from one entitled relative. Please remember that the Treasury Solicitor admits the first 'fully supported' claim received, whether directly from a claimant or someone acting on his or her behalf. The claim will need to be supported by enough evidence to satisfy the Treasury Solicitor that the claimant is entitled to, or to have a share in, the deceased person's estate in priority to the Crown. If you are in any doubt, you may wish to contact a Citizen Advice Bureau, local law centre or a solicitor.

More about making a claim on a deceased's estate

• Making a claim on a deceased's estate - introduction

• Making a claim on a deceased's estate to the Treasury Solicitor: who is an entitled relative?

• Making a claim on a deceased's estate to the Treasury Solicitor: time limits on claiming

• Making a claim on a deceased's estate to the Treasury Solicitor: what happens once a claim has been submitted?

• Making a claim on a deceased's estate to the Treasury Solicitor: genealogists