Sorting out probate forms uk wide can feel like a second job on top of grief. You’ve got a death to register, a house to sort, maybe a bank account frozen, and somewhere in the middle of it all you’re told you need PA1P or PA1A, but nobody explains which one, where to get it, or what happens after you post it off.
This guide sorts that out. We’ll show you exactly where to download the right probate application form, whether there’s a will or not, and walk through each section so you’re not guessing what the Probate Registry actually wants. You’ll also see how the online service compares with the paper route, and what supporting documents to attach so your application doesn’t bounce back with queries.
We put this together because we deal with the practical side of a death every day at Go Direct Cremations, arranging direct cremations while families untangle exactly this kind of paperwork. Getting the forms right the first time saves weeks of delay, so read on before you start filling anything in.
What you need before you start
Before you touch a probate form, gather the paperwork that proves your right to apply and puts a value on the estate. Skipping this step is the number one reason applications get kicked back for more information, which can add weeks to a process that’s already dragging on. Have everything to hand before you open PA1P or PA1A, and the rest of this guide will move a lot faster.
Here’s what you need on your desk (or in a folder) before you start:
- The original death certificate, or the number from the death registration if you’re applying online
- The original will and any codicils, if one exists
- A rough valuation of the estate, covering property, savings, investments, and debts
- The completed IHT205 or IHT400 inheritance tax form, depending on the estate’s value
- Proof of your identity, such as a passport or driving licence
- The executor or administrator’s details, including full name and address
- Details of any other executors named in the will, even if they’re not applying
Why the inheritance tax step matters
You can’t get far with a probate application without first sorting out where the estate sits with HMRC. Most estates fall under the current inheritance tax threshold and only need a short return, but you still have to work that out before you submit. Check the current thresholds and reporting rules on GOV.UK’s inheritance tax pages so you’re not guessing which form applies to your situation.
Sort your inheritance tax paperwork before you fill in anything else, because probate applications stall on this step more than any other.
Having this lot ready means the next steps, working out which form you need and filling it in, become a straightforward exercise rather than a scramble for documents halfway through.
Step 1. Work out which forms you need
The form you need depends entirely on one question: did the person who died leave a valid will? If they did, you’re the executor and you’ll use PA1P. If there’s no will, or the will doesn’t name a valid executor still able to act, you’re applying as an administrator and you need PA1A instead. Getting this wrong is a common reason applications sit unprocessed for weeks.
Pick PA1P if there’s a will naming you as executor, and PA1A if there isn’t, because the wrong form guarantees a delay.
PA1P versus PA1A at a glance
| Situation | Form | Who applies |
|---|---|---|
| Valid will names you executor | PA1P | Executor |
| No will exists (intestacy) | PA1A | Administrator, usually next of kin |
| Will exists but no executor can act | PA1A | Administrator |
Once you’ve matched your situation to the right form, check whether grant of probate or letters of administration is the correct term for your paperwork, since the Probate Registry uses both depending on which route you’re taking.
Step 2. Download or access the forms online
Most people now apply through the online probate service on GOV.UK rather than posting paper forms. Head to GOV.UK’s Apply for probate page and sign in with a Government Gateway account, or create one if you don’t have it already. The online route walks you through the same questions as PA1P or PA1A but builds the form for you as you go, which cuts down on errors.
Paper forms still exist for anyone who can’t apply online, such as some administrators or complex estates. You’ll find the downloadable PDF versions of PA1P and PA1A on the same GOV.UK page, listed under the paper application section.
Apply online where you can, since the digital service catches missing answers before you submit, not after the Registry rejects it.
Use this quick checklist before you start either route:
- Confirm you have a Government Gateway account set up for the online service
- Check you’re using the current version of the PDF if applying by paper
- Have your inheritance tax reference number ready to enter
- Save a copy of anything you submit, digital or printed
Whichever method you choose, the questions match, so pick the one that suits your paperwork and confidence with online forms.
Step 3. Fill in the forms correctly
Work through the form section by section rather than skipping ahead, because PA1P and PA1A ask for the same core details in a fixed order: your information as applicant, the deceased’s details, and then the estate itself. Use the deceased’s full legal name exactly as it appears on the death certificate, including any former names, or the Registry will query the mismatch and send your application back.
Match every name and date to your certificates exactly, because small mismatches cause more rejections than missing paperwork.
Pay close attention to these sections, since they’re where most mistakes happen:
- Executor details, listing everyone named in the will even if only you’re applying
- Estate valuation figures, which must match what you submitted for inheritance tax
- Relationship to the deceased, required on PA1A to establish your right to apply
- Additional applicants, if more than one person is applying jointly
If you’re using the online service, it won’t let you move to the next screen with a blank required field, which catches a lot of errors early. On paper, double check every box before you post it, since there’s no built-in check stopping you sending an incomplete form.
Step 4. Submit your application and pay the fee
Once every field checks out, submit your application through the same route you used to fill it in. The online service sends everything straight to the Probate Registry, while paper forms need posting to the address printed on the form itself, along with your original death certificate and will if you haven’t already uploaded scanned copies.
Fees depend on the estate’s value. Estates under £5,000 pay nothing, and everything above that currently costs a flat fee, with extra charges for additional copies of the grant. Check the exact figure on GOV.UK’s probate fees page before you pay, since amounts change from time to time.
Pay the correct fee first time, because a short payment stalls your application just as badly as a missing document.
After submission, expect these next steps:
- A confirmation email or letter acknowledging receipt
- A wait of several weeks for processing, longer if the Registry queries anything
- Return of your original documents, including the death certificate and will
- Issue of the grant of probate or letters of administration once approved
Keep your reference number safe. You’ll need it for any follow-up calls to the Registry.
Getting probate right the first time
Getting probate forms right the first time comes down to preparation. Gather your paperwork, pick between PA1P and PA1A correctly, and check every name and figure matches your certificates before you submit. Rush any of these steps and you’ll be waiting weeks longer for the same result.
Working through the estate is only half the job. Many families dealing with probate are also arranging a funeral or cremation at the same time, often while waiting for paperwork to clear. Choosing a simpler, more affordable route for the send-off can take real pressure off, both financially and emotionally, while probate runs its course in the background.
If you’re weighing up your options for a dignified, low-cost farewell without the constraints of a traditional ceremony, find out how Go Direct Cremations can help. We handle the practical side with the same care you’re putting into getting these forms right.