Bank limits · From Royal Bank of Scotland’s own website, 3 November 2026
Royal Bank of Scotland probate limit
Royal Bank of Scotland releases up to £50,000 in the person’s name alone without probate. Above that, it asks for a grant of probate (or letters of administration).
Accounts in their name only, from its closure form (PDF). Source: Royal Bank of Scotland’s bereavement page, read on 3 November 2026. That’s the most common limit: 14 of the 23 banks and building societies we list release up to £50,000.
Will Royal Bank of Scotland ask for probate?
Type roughly how much was in their name alone at Royal Bank of Scotland. Add their other banks too if you like.
Questions about Royal Bank of Scotland and probate
How much can Royal Bank of Scotland release without probate?
Royal Bank of Scotland releases up to £50,000 in the person’s name alone without probate. Above that, it asks for a grant of probate (or letters of administration). From Royal Bank of Scotland’s own website, checked 3 November 2026.
Do joint Royal Bank of Scotland accounts need probate?
Usually not. A joint account normally passes straight to the other account holder, so it doesn’t count towards Royal Bank of Scotland’s limit. Only money in the person’s name alone does.
Is the Royal Bank of Scotland limit per account?
No, banks look at the total. Add up every account in the person’s name alone at Royal Bank of Scotland. Money at other banks is judged against each bank’s own limit.
What if the Royal Bank of Scotland balance is over the limit?
Apply for probate (or letters of administration if there’s no will), then send Royal Bank of Scotland a copy of the grant. One grant works at every bank, so if any one bank needs it, it covers the rest too.
Other banks’ limits
- Bank of Scotland no published limit
- Barclays £50,000
- Chase no published limit
- Co-operative Bank £50,000
- Coventry Building Society £50,000
- First Direct £50,000
- Halifax no published limit
- HSBC UK £50,000
- Leeds Building Society £50,000
- Lloyds Bank £50,000
- Metro Bank £35,000
- Monzo £25,000
- Nationwide £50,000
- NatWest £50,000
- NS&I £5,000
- Principality Building Society £40,000
- Santander £50,000
- Skipton Building Society £50,000
- Starling £30,000
- TSB no published limit
- Virgin Money £50,000
- Yorkshire Building Society £50,000
Not sure you need probate at all? Use the 3-question checker. Spotted a change at Royal Bank of Scotland? hello@probatechecklist.co.uk