PA19 Form UK: Foreign Death Certificate Probate Guide
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When someone dies abroad, or their death is registered outside the UK, the probate registry still needs reliable evidence of the death before it will issue a grant of representation. That evidence often arrives as a death certificate written in another language, which creates a practical problem: the registry cannot simply accept a document it cannot read.
Form PA19 is the route the probate service uses to bridge that gap when the translation has not been produced by a licensed translation company. On this page I walk through what PA19 is, when it applies, what each section asks for, and the common pitfalls that hold up applications.
If you want to talk through your own circumstances before you file anything, a short call with an experienced legal adviser is available at the end of this page.
What this document is
Form PA19 is a supporting form used alongside a probate application in England and Wales where the deceased's death certificate is in a language other than English and has been translated by someone other than a licensed translation company. Think of it as a sworn statement that ties three things together: the original foreign death certificate, the English translation, and the identity of the person who produced that translation.
The probate registry relies on the form to be satisfied that the translation is accurate and that the person named in the foreign certificate is the same person named in the probate application. Without this layer of verification, the registry cannot safely issue letters of administration or a grant of probate, because the whole application rests on the certainty that the named person has in fact died.
PA19 is typically lodged with the main probate application (usually PA1P or PA1A) and the original foreign certificate plus its translation.
How to use this document
- Gather the original foreign death certificate. Before you touch PA19, make sure you have the original death certificate issued by the relevant foreign authority, not a photocopy or scan. The probate registry will want to see the original document, or a properly certified copy, alongside the English translation.
- Arrange an English translation. If a licensed translation company has already produced the translation, you generally will not need PA19 at all. You only need this form when the translator is an individual or an unlicensed provider. The translation must cover the whole certificate, including stamps and marginal notes.
- Complete Section 1 as the applicant. Fill in your own details, the deceased's full name as it appears on the foreign certificate, the country of death, the language of the certificate, and the translator's name and contact details. Any mismatch between the name on the foreign certificate and the name used on the probate application should be explained here.
- Have the translator complete Section 2. The translator confirms their qualifications, their relationship (if any) to the deceased or the applicant, and signs a declaration that the translation is a true and accurate rendering of the original. This part cannot be done by you as the applicant if you are not also the translator.
- Submit PA19 with your probate application. Send the completed PA19 together with your main probate form, the original foreign death certificate, the English translation, and any other supporting documents required for your application. Keep copies of everything you post, because the registry rarely returns original documents quickly.
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 Do I always need a PA19 if the death certificate is foreign?
No. If the translation has been carried out by a licensed translation company, the probate registry will normally accept that certified translation on its own. PA19 is specifically for situations where the translator is not a licensed company, for example a bilingual family member, an independent translator, or a professional contact who has provided the translation informally.
Q Who can act as the translator for PA19 purposes?
The form does not require the translator to be formally accredited, but they do need to be genuinely competent in both languages and willing to sign a declaration of accuracy. In practice, using someone with a translation qualification or a recognised language credential carries more weight with the registry. A close family member can translate, though this can raise questions about independence.
Q What happens if the name on the foreign certificate differs from UK records?
Name variations are common, particularly where names have been transliterated from another alphabet or where the deceased used a different form of their name in the UK. You should explain the discrepancy clearly on PA19 and, where possible, provide supporting documents such as a passport or marriage certificate that link the two versions of the name together.
Q Does PA19 replace the main probate application form?
No, it sits alongside it. You still need to complete the appropriate primary application, typically PA1P where there is a will or PA1A where there is no will, and submit PA19 as a supporting document. Treat PA19 as evidence of translation rather than as the application itself.
Q How long does probate take when a foreign certificate is involved?
Applications involving foreign documents generally take longer than standard probate because the registry may raise additional queries about the translation, the foreign jurisdiction, or the deceased's domicile. Timescales vary, and current processing times are published on gov.uk. Building in extra weeks compared to a straightforward domestic application is sensible.
Q What if the death happened in a country that does not issue death certificates?
A small number of jurisdictions do not produce a document that looks like a UK-style death certificate. In those cases the probate registry may accept alternative official evidence of death, such as a burial record or a court declaration, but additional steps and evidence are usually needed. This is an area where talking the circumstances through before filing can save considerable time.
Q Is there a fee for submitting PA19?
PA19 itself is a supporting form and does not carry its own separate fee. However, the underlying probate application attracts the standard probate fee, which depends on the value of the estate. Check gov.uk for the current fee, as it is updated from time to time and varies depending on who is applying.
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 PA19: Statement of Truth for Probate Translation (gov.uk)gov.uk
- Guidance · UK GovApplying for Probate (gov.uk)gov.uk
- Guidance · UK GovHM Courts and Tribunals Service: Probategov.uk
Legal helpline
Unsure how to handle a foreign death certificate?
Probate involving documents from another country carries more moving parts than a standard application, and a single unclear translation can stall the whole process for weeks. An experienced legal adviser can talk you through the PA19 route based on what you describe and help you see where the risks sit before you file.
- Plain-English answers to your specific questions about PA19
- Practical perspective on whether your translator is likely to satisfy the registry
- Guidance tailored to what you describe about the foreign jurisdiction
- A clearer view of what to watch out for in your probate application
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.