PA14 Form UK: Medical Certificate for Probate
We're not a law firm — we help you find the right legal support. For advice on your situation, speak to a legal adviser or find a solicitor.
When someone who would ordinarily be entitled to apply for a grant of representation lacks the mental capacity to act, the probate registry needs evidence before it can consider passing that role to someone else. Form PA14 is the medical certificate that provides that evidence.
It is completed by a medical practitioner who knows the person, and it sets out their view on whether that person is able to manage the affairs of an estate. The form sits alongside the main probate application and is one of the pieces the registry looks at when deciding how to handle capacity issues.
This page explains what PA14 does, who can sign it, how it fits into a wider probate application, and the practical points that tend to trip people up when they come to fill it in.
What this document is
PA14 is a short medical certificate used in England and Wales probate cases where a person who would otherwise be an executor or administrator cannot act because they lack mental capacity. Rather than making assumptions, the probate registry asks for a written view from someone qualified to assess that capacity.
The certificate confirms that the person cannot manage their own affairs in relation to the estate, and it supports an application by someone else to take over that role, often under the rules that allow a grant to pass to the next person entitled. The form itself is brief.
It asks the practitioner to identify the person being assessed, confirm their own qualifications and role, and give a view on capacity in the context of administering the estate. It is not a general mental capacity assessment and does not replace any assessment needed for other purposes, such as under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 for welfare or financial decisions more broadly. PA14 exists specifically to help the registry decide whether a grant can fairly move to another applicant.
How to use this document
- Work out whether PA14 is the right form. PA14 is used when a person entitled to apply for probate or letters of administration cannot act because of mental incapacity. If the issue is something else, such as the person being abroad, renouncing, or being a minor, a different form or route will apply. Check the current guidance on gov.uk before starting.
- Identify who will complete the certificate. The certificate needs to be signed by a medical practitioner who is in a position to give a credible view on the person's capacity, typically a GP, a consultant, or another clinician involved in their care. Approach them early, explain why the certificate is needed, and give them time to consider it properly.
- Gather the supporting details. Before the form is completed you will need the full name and address of the person lacking capacity, details of who is applying for the grant instead, and information about the deceased's estate. Having this ready makes the clinician's job quicker and reduces the risk of errors that the registry may query later.
- Have the certificate completed and signed. The practitioner should answer the questions honestly and in their own words, rather than copying standard wording. The registry wants a genuine clinical view, not a tick-box exercise. A fee may be charged by the practice for completing the form, and this is a matter between you and them.
- Submit PA14 with the probate application. The completed certificate is sent in with the main probate application papers. Keep a copy for your records. If the registry has follow-up questions about capacity or about who should be applying, they will usually write to the applicant rather than contacting the clinician directly.
Common questions
If you're dealing with this kind of situation, speak to an experienced legal adviser who can walk you through it — from £89.
Common questions
Q Who signs Form PA14?
The certificate is signed by a medical practitioner who can speak to the person's mental capacity. In practice this is often a GP or a consultant who has examined them, or a clinician at a care setting where they live. The key point is that the person signing must be in a position to give an honest professional view on capacity in the context of administering an estate, rather than a generic statement.
Q When is PA14 actually needed?
It is needed where someone who would otherwise be an executor or entitled to a grant of letters of administration lacks the mental capacity to take on that role. If the person can still act, PA14 is not required. If they simply do not want to act, they can usually renounce or have power reserved instead, which is a different route and uses different paperwork.
Q Does PA14 replace a Mental Capacity Act assessment?
No. PA14 is specific to probate and is about whether the person can deal with administering the estate. A wider Mental Capacity Act 2005 assessment, or a decision by the Court of Protection, covers different ground such as day-to-day welfare or financial decisions. The two can overlap, but one does not automatically stand in for the other.
Q Can a family member sign PA14?
No, not in their capacity as a relative. The certificate has to come from a medical practitioner giving a professional view. A family member may well be the one arranging for the certificate to be completed and dealing with the probate application, but the signature on PA14 itself must be that of a clinician qualified to assess capacity.
Q Is there a fee for completing PA14?
The form itself does not carry a court fee, but a GP practice or private clinician may charge for the time taken to complete it. Fees vary between practices. Separately, the probate application itself has its own fee, and you should check the current amount on gov.uk before sending the papers in.
Q What happens after PA14 is submitted?
The probate registry considers the certificate alongside the rest of the application. If they are satisfied, they issue the grant to the next person entitled, allowing them to deal with the estate. If they have concerns about the evidence or about who should be applying, they will raise queries in writing, and the application may be paused until those are resolved.
Q What if the person regains capacity later?
PA14 reflects capacity at the time the certificate is signed. If circumstances change significantly before a grant is issued, that should be raised with the registry. Once a grant has been issued to someone else on the basis of PA14, later changes in the original person's health do not usually unwind the grant, although specific situations can be complex and may need tailored guidance.
If you're dealing with this kind of situation, speak to an experienced legal adviser who can walk you through it — from £89.
Sources
This guide is based on primary UK law and official guidance.
- Guidance · UK GovForm PA14: Medical certificate (probate) on gov.ukgov.uk
- Guidance · UK GovApplying for probate – gov.ukgov.uk
- LegislationMental Capacity Act 2005legislation.gov.uk
Legal helpline
Unsure whether PA14 fits your situation?
Capacity questions in probate can be awkward to navigate, especially when family members disagree about who should apply. An experienced legal adviser can help you think through the options based on what you describe, so you can approach the clinician and the registry with a clearer plan.
- A plain-English explanation of how PA14 fits into your probate application
- Practical perspective on your specific situation and who might apply
- What to watch out for when asking a clinician to complete the certificate
- Clarity on the next steps based on what you describe
Legal disclaimer
This article is for general information only. It is a tool to help you find your way — not legal advice, and not a substitute for speaking to a qualified adviser about your situation.