Reseal an interstate Grant of Probate in South Australia

You have obtained a Grant of Probate (or Letters of Administration) in another Australian state or territory.  Where an estate includes assets located in South Australia (for example, real property, or bank accounts) you may find that those assets cannot be administered until the interstate Grant is resealed by the Supreme Court of South Australia.  In South Australia, this is done by registration of the interstate grant. 

Under South Australian procedural rules, only a lawyer with a South Australian practising certificate can lodge an application to register the interstate grant.  

For practitioners managing an otherwise straightforward estate, this creates an unavoidable procedural step outside their own jurisdiction that requires a South Australian-based agent.  

How can ADLV Law assist?

Our Adelaide office has a dedicated estates team. We act as agent for interstate law firms, managing the registration of an interstate Grant with the South Australian Supreme Court on their instructions. 

Our role is limited and clearly defined: we handle the South Australian lodgement and associated procedural requirements. You retain full carriage of the client relationship and the broader administration of the estate. 

Why instruct us? 

• Fixed fees, agreed in advance 

• Experienced in dealing with the South Australian Supreme Court and the registration of an interstate grant requirements.  We know the common issues that result in requisitions and work with you to avoid these. 

• You maintain the relationship with your client. We do not engage with them, unless instructed to by you 

• We work efficiently to prepare the application and provide status updates to you 

Frequently asked questions: registering an interstate Grant of Probate in SA

Does a solicitor need to be in South Australia to apply for registration of an interstate Grant in South Australia? 

Yes. South Australian court procedure requires the solicitor on record for a registration application to hold a South Australian practising certificate.  You will not be able to lodge the application for registration regardless of its size or the state in which the original Grant was made if you do not have a South Australian practising certificate. 

What documents do you need to provide to register an interstate Grant in South Australia? 

To prepare the application for Registration, we typically need: the original paper Grant (or a duly authenticated copy of the Grant, or  a certified copy of the electronic grant), the original or certified death certificate, a description of the South Australian assets (property address, institution names, account details), and confirmation of the executor’s identity. We will confirm the complete requirements when you contact us, in some cases additional material is needed depending on the nature of the South Australian assets.  If you provide the original Grant for registration, it will be returned following registration. 

How long does it take to register an interstate Grant in South Australia? 

Preparation of the application documents is generally quick once we have the required information, typically within a week.  Court processing times can vary an adds to the overall timeline.  We will give you a realistic estimate of end-to-end timeframes when you refer the matter, and we will keep you updated throughout. 

Can ADLV Law act as agent for firms in any Australian state or territory? 

Yes. We accept referrals from law firms in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia, Tasmania, the Northern Territory, and the ACT. The engagement is directly between ADLV Law and you.  Your client’s relationship with your firm is not affected.