If you are the personal representative (executor or administrator) of an estate, you may need to apply to the Queensland Supreme Court to reseal a grant of administration if:
- the deceased owned assets in Queensland, and
- a grant of probate or letters of administration (with or without a will) was issued in another state or territory, or an eligible country.
To apply, follow the steps below.
Resealing a grant gives it legal effect in Queensland, allowing you to manage the deceased’s Queensland-based assets.
1. Confirm eligibility
Before applying, ensure:
- the original grant was issued in an eligible jurisdiction, namely:
- another Australian state or territory
- New Zealand
- United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
- the grant is not special, limited, or temporary—unless the court orders otherwise.
2. Collect and complete the required documents
To apply for a reseal, you will need to gather existing documents or complete the necessary forms, as follows:
Original grant
Provide the original grant or an exemplification (a certified office copy).
This must bear the rubber, embossed, or other seal of the court that issued the grant.
Application form
Fill out Form 112 – Application for reseal (DOC, 27.5 KB).
Affidavit in support
Complete Form 113 – Affidavit (reseal) (DOCX, 27.4 KB).
Exhibits
3. Address outstanding debts (if applicable)
If the deceased has outstanding debts in Queensland, you must:
Advertise
- publish a notice in the Queensland Law Reporter
- serve notice on the Public Trustee of Queensland.
File an affidavit of publication
Complete Form 104 – Affidavit of publication (DOCX, 29.3 KB).
This ensures creditors are notified and the estate’s obligations are addressed.
4.File at the Supreme Court of Queensland
You can file your application and supporting documents with the court as follows:
Legal firms: Lodge applications online via the Queensland Courts and Tribunals Online Services Portal.
Self-represented applicants: File in person or by post at the Supreme Court registry in Brisbane, Cairns, Rockhampton, or Townsville.
Include a self-addressed stamped envelope (registered post is preferred) if the original grant was physically issued in the original court and needs to be posted to you.
Filing fee
A fee applies. See the Supreme Court fees.
5. Wait for the court’s decision
The court will review your application.
Delays may occur if documents are incomplete or additional information is required.
If your application is approved
If your application is approved, your grant will be resealed, giving it legal effect in Queensland.
You can then use it to manage the deceased’s Queensland-based assets. This may include:
- accessing bank accounts
- transferring property titles
- settling debts or distributing assets to beneficiaries.
Contact the relevant institutions (e.g., banks, property registries) to confirm their specific requirements.
If your application is rejected
If your application is rejected, the court will notify you of the reasons.
Common issues include incomplete documents or ineligibility. You may have to:
- submit additional documents or information by a certain deadline, as requested by the court
- seek legal advice to address the issue.
More information
If you have further questions about applying to reseal a grant:
