Brad is on the roll of solicitors of England & Wales but does not hold a practising certificate and does not provide legal advice.
Updated June 2026 · England & Wales
If a will or codicil has been lodged with the Principal Probate Registry for safe storage, there may come a time when it needs to be taken back out again. Perhaps the person who made it wants to update their wishes, or perhaps they have moved to a different solicitor who will now hold the original.
Whatever the reason, the court will not release a deposited will without a formal request, and that request is made using Form PA7A. This page explains what the form does, who is entitled to submit it, and the information you will need to hand before you start.
It is written for people dealing with this in England and Wales, whether you are the testator yourself, a family member helping out, or a legal representative acting on someone's behalf.
What this document is
Form PA7A is the official application used to retrieve a will or codicil that has previously been deposited with the High Court for safekeeping. The storage service is provided by the Principal Probate Registry, and once a document is lodged it cannot simply be collected over the counter.
A written application has to be made so that the court can verify who is asking, confirm they have the right to receive the document, and keep a proper record of the withdrawal. The form itself is relatively short. It asks for the name of the person who made the will, the date the original Certificate of Deposit was issued, and the reason for the request.
The Certificate of Deposit is the receipt given when the will was first placed into safekeeping, and its date helps the registry locate the correct file. In most cases the testator (the person who made the will) needs to sign the application personally while they are alive.
After death, different rules apply and the will typically becomes part of the probate process rather than being withdrawn separately.
How to use this document
Locate the Certificate of Deposit. Before you start, find the original Certificate of Deposit that was issued when the will was first lodged with the registry. The date on this certificate is needed on the form, and having the document itself makes the whole process considerably faster.
Confirm who needs to sign. While the testator is alive, the application is generally made by them personally. If the testator has lost mental capacity, or has died, the position changes significantly and you may need to take separate steps rather than using this form. Check your situation carefully before proceeding.
Fill in the form accurately. Enter the testator's full name as it appears on the will, the date the Certificate of Deposit was issued, and a clear statement of why you are asking for the will back. Double-check spellings and dates, as any mismatch with the registry's records can delay matters.
Arrange identification and signatures. The registry will want to be confident that the person asking for the will is genuinely entitled to receive it. Follow the current guidance on gov.uk regarding how the form should be signed and witnessed, and what proof of identity should accompany the application.
Send the application to the correct address. Submit the completed PA7A to the address specified in the current gov.uk guidance. Keep a copy of everything you send, and allow time for the registry to process the request before following up. A fee may apply, so check gov.uk for the current amount.
Q Who can apply to withdraw a will using Form PA7A?
While the person who made the will is alive and has mental capacity, they are the one who should be making the application. A solicitor or other representative may help with the paperwork, but the testator's own signature is generally required. After the testator dies, the will is dealt with through the grant of probate process rather than being withdrawn on a PA7A.
Q What is the Certificate of Deposit and why does the form ask for its date?
The Certificate of Deposit is the receipt the Probate Registry issues when a will is first lodged for safekeeping. Its date acts as a reference point so staff can identify the correct stored document. If the certificate has been lost, contact the registry for guidance before submitting the form, as they may ask for additional information to locate the file.
Q Is there a fee to withdraw a deposited will?
Fees and administrative charges for court services can change, so rather than quote a figure that may be out of date, we would suggest checking the current position on gov.uk before you send the application. Having the right fee enclosed, or the right payment method, helps avoid your request being returned or held up while the registry queries it.
Q Can someone else withdraw the will on the testator's behalf?
In most cases the testator needs to sign the PA7A personally. A representative can help prepare and post the form, but the court wants clear authority from the person who made the will. If the testator cannot act for themselves, for example due to lost capacity, this is usually something to discuss with a legal adviser before sending any application.
Q What happens after I send the form to the registry?
The registry checks the application against its records, confirms the identity of the applicant, and then arranges for the will to be released. Processing times vary depending on how busy the registry is. You may be asked for further information if anything on the form does not match, so keeping a copy of what you sent is always a good idea.
Q What should I do with the will once it has been returned?
Once the will is back in the testator's hands, it should be stored somewhere safe and accessible to the executors when the time comes. Options include keeping it with a solicitor, using a bank's storage service, or re-depositing it with the court later. If the purpose of the withdrawal was to make changes, the old will should be updated or replaced following the usual formalities.
Q Can I withdraw only a codicil and leave the will in safekeeping?
Yes, the form can be used to withdraw a will, a codicil, or both, depending on what was originally lodged and what you now need. Be clear on the form about exactly what you are asking the registry to release so there is no confusion. If the documents were deposited together, removing one may have practical implications worth thinking through first.
Withdrawing a deposited will sounds simple, but the right approach depends on whether the testator is alive, who is asking, and what you plan to do with the document next. An experienced legal adviser can talk through your specific situation on the phone and help you think through the practical next steps based on what you describe.
✓Plain-English answers to your specific questions about PA7A
✓Practical perspective on whether this form fits your situation
✓A clear sense of what to watch out for in your circumstances
✓Guidance tailored to what you describe on the call
Personal call · For information only · Independent advisers
Written & reviewed by
Brad Askew Solicitor (non-practising)
Brad is on the roll of solicitors of England & Wales but does not hold a practising certificate and does not provide legal advice. LegalDocuments.co.uk is not a law firm and does not provide regulated legal advice.
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.
