Surrogate Digital Service Alberta: How to File for Probate Online

Alberta replaced its paper-based probate filing system with the Surrogate Digital Service in mid-2022, and the transition left most families confused about what still works and what does not. The old NC (Non-Contentious) forms are gone. Every Grant of Probate or Grant of Administration now runs through the new GA form family — and lawyers must use the digital portal. Self-represented executors still have a choice, but the digital route is faster.

Here is exactly how the system works, who qualifies to file online, and what the process looks like from start to finish.

What the Surrogate Digital Service Actually Is

The SDS is the Court of King's Bench online portal for all non-contentious surrogate (probate) applications in Alberta. When someone dies owning real estate solely in their name, or holding financial accounts without named beneficiaries, the executor needs a Grant of Probate to prove their authority. That application now goes through the GA form set — GA1 (the main application), GA2 (the estate inventory), and GA3 (the notice to beneficiaries).

Lawyers and law firms are required to file through the SDS portal. Self-represented applicants — executors who choose not to hire a lawyer — can file either through the digital portal or by submitting physical paper forms at the courthouse. The digital route typically processes faster because the system flags errors before submission, cutting down on the back-and-forth rejections that plague paper filings.

Who Can Use the Digital Portal

Any Alberta resident who is a named executor in a will, or who is applying for a Grant of Administration on an intestate estate, can file through SDS. You do not need to be a lawyer. Out-of-province applicants should contact the Surrogate Court clerk directly, as the portal registration requires an Alberta address.

To create an account, you need a valid email address and identification that matches the personal representative named in the application. The portal walks you through the GA forms step by step, flagging required fields before you can submit.

What You Need Before Filing

Gather these before you start:

• The original will (for a Grant of Probate) — the court requires the original wet-ink document, not a photocopy
• The official death certificate — ordered through an Alberta Registry Agent for a $20 government fee plus the agent's service fee
• A complete estate inventory — every asset and liability valued at the date of death, which populates GA2
• Beneficiary contact information — names and addresses for everyone named in the will or entitled under the Wills and Succession Act, needed for the GA3 notice

The court filing fee depends on the net value of the Alberta estate. Alberta's fee schedule maxes out at $525 for estates over $250,000, making it one of the cheapest probate jurisdictions in Canada.

The Filing Fee Schedule

Compare that to Ontario, where probate fees on a $500,000 estate run over $7,000. Alberta's flat cap at $525 is a meaningful financial advantage.

Step-by-Step: Filing Through the SDS Portal

Step 1: Register and verify your identity. Create an SDS account with your email and set up credentials. The portal verifies you are the applicant named in the filing.

Step 2: Select your application type. Choose Grant of Probate (if there is a valid will) or Grant of Administration (if intestate). The portal loads the correct GA form set.

Step 3: Complete GA1. Enter the deceased's details, your relationship and authority, and a summary of the estate. The system validates required fields in real time.

Step 4: Complete GA2 (Inventory). List every asset inside Alberta — real property, bank accounts, investments, vehicles — and every known liability. Values must reflect the date of death, not current market value.

Step 5: Complete GA3 (Notice to Beneficiaries). Enter each beneficiary's name and address. You are legally required to serve this notice before the court processes the grant.

Step 6: Pay the filing fee and submit. The portal accepts electronic payment. After submission, the Surrogate Court reviews the application and issues the Grant if everything is in order.

Processing times vary, but straightforward applications with no missing documents typically clear within four to eight weeks.

Common Mistakes That Delay Your Application

The most frequent rejection reason is submitting a photocopy of the will instead of the original. The court requires the physical original — no exceptions. If the original is lost, you need a separate court application to prove the will, which adds months.

The second most common error is an incomplete GA2 inventory. Missing a bank account or undervaluing real property triggers a court request for supplementary information. Get a property tax assessment from the municipality and current statements from every financial institution before you file.

When You Do Not Need Probate at All

Not every estate requires a court application. If the deceased's assets all bypass the estate — joint bank accounts, real property held in joint tenancy with right of survivorship, RRSPs/TFSAs/life insurance with named beneficiaries — there is nothing for the court to grant authority over.

For joint tenancy real property, the surviving owner files a $15 Affidavit of Surviving Joint Tenant (Form TEN-1) at the Land Titles Office. No court involvement needed.

For small bank accounts, the requirement depends entirely on the bank's internal risk policy. Some institutions release up to $30,000 on an indemnity agreement. Others demand a Grant for $10,000. Ask the branch manager directly — there is no provincial statutory threshold.

Getting the Process Right the First Time

The Surrogate Digital Service streamlined Alberta's probate process, but the underlying legal requirements — proper authority under the will, accurate valuations, correct beneficiary notices — have not changed. The Alberta Funeral Laws & Consumer Rights Guide walks through the full estate administration timeline from the first hours after death through final tax clearance, including the exact documents you need before touching the SDS portal.

See more Alberta guides →