Surrogate Digital Service

Overview

The Surrogate Digital Service enables Albertans, through their lawyers, to file grant applications online.

Any application that meets the criteria to be accepted must be submitted through SDS. View the Court Announcement (effective November 17, 2023)

Last updated: March 4, 2024

To use SDS all of the following must be true:

Applicants are over 18, all have active email addresses, and at least one resides in Alberta
The Deceased lived or owned property in Alberta (including real and personal property)
Submitted by a lawyer with an account and a valid Alberta Bar ID, or an authorized legal assistant. Applicants without a lawyer must use the general application forms.

Accepted	Not accepted
Applications for Grants of Probate, Administration, or Administration with Will Annexed, including (where applicable): Renunciations Nominations Gifts on intestacy (there is no will, or the residue in will doesn’t add up to 100%) Wills validated by Court Order (the filed order must be uploaded as a supporting document) Copies of wills or other testamentary documents Digital service to the Public Trustee	Applications that include: Invalid wills with a request to validate (this requires a Chambers application, which SDS cannot process) Requests for a limited grant Resubmission of a previously rejected NC or GA application (must be resubmitted on paper) An estate where any previous grant was issued - either in Alberta or by a foreign court The need for a bond, bond waivers, void gifts, resealing, or double probate A deceased that was a minor when the will was made An applicant whose appointment as PR or alternate is void due to a terminated marriage Applications from the Crown or Public Trustee for Grant of Administration

Accepted

Not accepted

Applications for Grants of Probate, Administration, or Administration with Will Annexed, including (where applicable):

Renunciations
Nominations
Gifts on intestacy (there is no will, or the residue in will doesn’t add up to 100%)
Wills validated by Court Order (the filed order must be uploaded as a supporting document)
Copies of wills or other testamentary documents
Digital service to the Public Trustee

Applications that include:

Invalid wills with a request to validate (this requires a Chambers application, which SDS cannot process)
Requests for a limited grant
Resubmission of a previously rejected NC or GA application (must be resubmitted on paper)
An estate where any previous grant was issued - either in Alberta or by a foreign court
The need for a bond, bond waivers, void gifts, resealing, or double probate
A deceased that was a minor when the will was made
An applicant whose appointment as PR or alternate is void due to a terminated marriage
Applications from the Crown or Public Trustee for Grant of Administration

Change Details	Accepted in SDS	GA Forms Cutoff
Copies of wills or other testamentary documents	March 4, 2024	March 18, 2024
Grant of Probate with partial intestacy	February 8, 2024	February 22, 2024
Grant of Administration with Will Annexed	January 18, 2024	February 1, 2024
Grant of Administration with nominations	December 11, 2023	January 2, 2024 due to holiday Court closure
Grant of Administration with any priority applicants (no nominations)	October 25, 2023	December 1, 2023