Form PA1A UK: Apply for Probate With No Will
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When someone dies without leaving a valid will covering their assets in England and Wales, their estate is dealt with under the rules of intestacy. Form PA1A is the paper application used by close relatives to ask the Probate Registry for letters of administration, which is the authority needed to manage the estate and pass assets to those entitled to inherit.
It is the paper equivalent of the online intestacy application and is typically used where the person applying prefers to submit by post, or where the circumstances of the estate make the online route unsuitable. This guide walks through what the form covers, how to complete each section, the documents you need to send with it, and the points people most often get wrong.
If you want to talk anything through before posting your application, a call with one of our experienced legal advisers can help you feel more confident about the steps ahead.
What this document is
Form PA1A is the official paper application to the Probate Service for a grant of letters of administration. It is used when the person who died did not leave a will, or left a will that did not deal with their assets in England and Wales.
Without a valid will, there are no executors, so the law decides who has the right to apply. That order of priority starts with a surviving spouse or civil partner, followed by children, grandchildren, parents, siblings, and so on, under the intestacy rules set out in the Administration of Estates Act 1925.
The grant issued after a successful PA1A application gives the administrator legal authority to collect in assets, settle debts and taxes, and distribute what remains to the people entitled under intestacy. The form captures details about the deceased, the applicant or applicants, close family members, any assets held abroad, and the inheritance tax position. It is submitted alongside supporting documents and the application fee to the Probate Registry.
How to use this document
- Applicant details. Set out the personal information for everyone applying, including full names, current addresses, and contact details. Up to four people can apply together. Make sure the names match exactly how they appear on official identification, because mismatches are one of the most common reasons applications are delayed or returned. 2. Details of the person who died. Enter their full legal name, any other names they used, last permanent address, date of birth, date of death, occupation, and marital or civil partnership status at the date of death. You will also need to confirm whether they held assets outside England and Wales, as this can affect which grant is appropriate and how the estate is administered. 3. Confirming there is no will. Because this is an intestacy application, you will confirm that no valid will has been found. If a will exists but does not cover the assets in England and Wales, you explain that position here. Be accurate, as making a false declaration on a probate application is a serious matter with legal consequences. 4. Family members and entitlement. Record how many children the deceased had, separating those over and under 18, and whether any predeceased leaving their own children. If there is no spouse, civil partner, child or grandchild surviving, you move down the intestacy order and list parents, siblings, nieces and nephews. This section determines who has the legal right to apply. 5. Inheritance tax and submission. Complete the inheritance tax section based on whether the estate is an excepted estate or whether a full IHT400 account was needed. Sign and date the statement of truth, then post the form with the original death certificate, any relevant supporting documents, and the correct fee to the address given in the guidance notes.
Common questions
Q Who can apply using Form PA1A?
Form PA1A is for close relatives of someone who died without a valid will covering their England and Wales assets. The law sets an order of priority, starting with a surviving spouse or civil partner, then children and grandchildren, then parents, siblings, and more distant relatives. Up to four people can apply together. If you are unsure where you sit in the order, it is worth checking before you start the form.
Q What is the difference between PA1A and PA1P?
PA1A is used when the person who died did not leave a valid will dealing with their assets in England and Wales, so the estate passes under the intestacy rules and the grant issued is letters of administration. PA1P is used when there is a valid will, and the grant issued is either probate (to an executor) or letters of administration with will annexed. Picking the right form matters, as using the wrong one will cause the application to be rejected.
Q Do I always need a grant of letters of administration?
Not always. Small estates, jointly owned assets passing by survivorship, and some accounts held by banks with low balance thresholds can sometimes be dealt with without a grant. Once an estate includes a property held in the sole name of the person who died, or larger financial holdings, a grant is usually required. Each bank or institution sets its own threshold for releasing funds without one.
Q What documents need to go with the PA1A form?
You will normally send the original death certificate or an interim certificate, the completed and signed PA1A, the correct fee, and inheritance tax paperwork where required. The Probate Registry may ask for further information if anything is unclear. Keep copies of everything you send, including the signed form, because originals can occasionally be lost in post and you may need to refer back.
Q How long does a PA1A application take?
Processing times vary depending on the workload at the Probate Registry and whether the application is straightforward. Simple applications can come back within a few weeks, while more complex cases, or those needing further information, can take several months. Applications that are incomplete, unsigned, or use the wrong form will be returned, which adds significant delay. Check the current timescales on gov.uk before chasing progress.
Q What happens after the grant is issued?
Once letters of administration are issued, the administrator can present the grant to banks, building societies, share registrars, and the Land Registry to collect in assets and deal with property. Debts, funeral costs and any tax owed are paid from the estate, and what remains is distributed according to the intestacy rules. The administrator has a legal duty to act properly and keep clear records.
Q Can I apply for probate online instead?
In many intestacy cases you can apply online through the gov.uk service instead of using the paper PA1A form. Online tends to be faster and provides prompts as you go. The paper form is still used where the online route does not fit the circumstances, where applicants prefer submitting by post, or where a professional is handling the application outside the online system.
Sources
This guide is based on primary UK law and official guidance.
- Guidance · UK GovForm PA1A: Apply for probate by post if there is not a will (gov.uk)gov.uk
- Guidance · UK GovApplying for probate (gov.uk)gov.uk
- Guidance · UK GovIntestacy: who inherits if someone dies without a will (gov.uk)gov.uk
- LegislationAdministration of Estates Act 1925legislation.gov.uk
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.