About Letters of Administration
Court document that officially appoints an administrator to manage and settle the estate of a deceased person.
When you'd use it: File this form after the court has appointed an administrator in an intestate estate (when there is no valid will) or when an executor is not available.
Where to get the official form
The official version of Letters of Administration is published as a PDF by the Illinois courts. We checked this link and it resolved to a form on an official court or government website — always download the current version directly from the source rather than a third-party copy:
Verified official PDF
Download Letters of Administration (PDF) →
Source: sangamoncountycircuitclerk.org
Link last checked: May 31, 2026
How to file Letters of Administration in Illinois
- Step 1 — Confirm you have the correct formUse Letters of Administration when file this form after the court has appointed an administrator in an intestate estate (when there is no valid will) or when an executor is not available. Double-check it's the right form for your situation — Illinois probate forms are revised periodically, so verify the name and number against your court's current form list before you start.
- Step 2 — Complete every required fieldFill out Letters of Administration carefully and review it for errors before filing. Probate cases can already take months — a small mistake on the form can set your timeline back further.
- Step 3 — Get it notarized or witnessed if requiredSome probate forms must be signed in front of a notary or witnesses. Check the instructions on the form itself, and arrange notarization before you file if it's required.
- Step 4 — File it with the correct courtSubmit Letters of Administration to the probate court or county clerk handling the estate — usually in the Illinois county where the deceased lived. Ask the clerk how they prefer to receive filings (in person, by mail, or e-filing).