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California Court Forms · Probate

DE-150: Letters (Probate)

The one-page document that shows who the court appointed to act for a decedent’s estate, and what authority they were given.

Mandatory form · Revised January 1, 1998 · 1 page · DE-140 · Order for Probate

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The PDF is the Judicial Council’s own file on courts.ca.gov, revised January 1, 1998. Form page on courts.ca.gov ↗

Not legal advice. This page explains what the form asks; it does not tell you what to put in your case.

What it is

Proof of the appointment

DE-150 records the court’s appointment of an executor, an administrator with will annexed, an administrator or a special administrator of the decedent’s estate. The clerk signs it with the court’s seal. It cites Probate Code sections 1001, 8403, 8405, 8544 and 8545.

When it is used

Authority and affirmation

The letters show whether the personal representative may act under the Independent Administration of Estates Act with full or limited authority, and any limit on taking possession of money or property. The representative signs an affirmation to perform the duties according to law.

Section by section

What each part asks

Use the current official form and its instructions. The descriptions below identify the questions without choosing answers for your situation.

Letters, affirmation and certification

Type of letters

Testamentary, of administration, of administration with will annexed, or of special administration.

1–2 · Appointment

Executor or administrator with will annexed after the will is proved, or administrator or special administrator, with special powers or an expiration date.

3–4 · Authority

Independent administration with full or limited authority, and whether a specific court order is needed to take possession of money or property.

Affirmation

Public administrator (no affirmation required), individual or institutional fiduciary, with date, place and signature.

Certification

The clerk’s certification that the copy is correct and the letters are still in full force and effect.

Before you file

Common filing problems to check

These checks come from the official form and instructions. They are not a ranking of rejection reasons; the court decides whether a filing meets its requirements.

  • The type of letters at the top does not match the appointment in item 1 or 2.
  • The individual or institutional affirmation is unsigned or undated.
  • The authority in item 3 does not match the Order for Probate (DE-140).
  • A certified copy presented to a bank or other institution is not recent enough for that institution.

E-file it

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Questions

DE-150 questions

Who signs DE-150?

The personal representative signs the affirmation. The clerk of the court issues the letters with the court’s seal and signs any certification.

What does “limited authority” mean on this form?

Item 3 says limited authority means no authority, without court supervision, to sell or exchange real property, grant an option to purchase real property, or borrow money secured by real property.

Related forms

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Guides & comparisons

Not legal advice. This page explains public filing information. It does not tell you what to put in your own case. Legal Hub Group is a certified e-filing service provider for California courts, not a law firm.

Information checked as of October 2026. Rules, form revisions and provider prices can change. The court decides whether to accept a filing.

DE-150 form revision: January 1, 1998.