PA1A — Probate application
This form is for an application where the
person who has died did not leave a will
that deals with assets in England and Wales
Checklist – before you send your application form to HMCTS Probate
you will need to enclose the following. This checklist must be completed.
If you do not enclose all of the required documents it will delay your
application. Please keep copies of all documents that you send.
PA1A - Probate Application (this form)
Inheritance Tax Summary Form: Please submit the appropriate form
(IHT205 or IHT207, and IHT217 if applicable), signed by all applicants
(see additional notes in Section 6).
A copy of any foreign wills or any wills dealing with assets held outside
England and Wales (and if not in English, an English translation).
An ocial copy (not a photocopy) of the death certicate, or a coroners
interim certicate of the person who has died.
Any other documents requested on this form. Please list them:
As well as the application fee, there is a fee for each ocial copy of the
Grant of Representation that we provide.
How many ocial copies of the Grant of Representation do you
require for use in the United Kingdom?
How many ocial copies of the Grant of Representation do you
require for use outside of the United Kingdom?
Application fee
£
Fees for copies
£
Total fees
£
Debit or Credit card. (This payment must be made before you send your
application and the payment reference entered in the box below.)
Payment reference
A cheque/postal order payable to HMCTS in respect of HMCTS’s fees. Please
write the name of the person who has died on the back of the cheque.
PA1A Probate application - without a will (12.19) © Crown copyright 2019
Details of how to pay by debit
or credit card can be found at
www.gov.uk/wills-probate-
inheritance/applying-for-a-
grant-of-representation
Please send your form and
required documents with
payment to HMCTS Probate,
PO Box 12625, Harlow, CM20
9QE.
If you need help lling out this
form please call the
Probate Helpline
0300 123 1072
We cannot provide legal advice
Did you know you can apply
for Probate online?
Go to www.gov.uk/wills-
probate-inheritance/appyling-
for-a-grant-of-representation
2
SECTION A – PERSONAL INFORMATION
1. About the applicant(s) – All applicants must be over 18 years
and a maximum of 4 may apply
1.1 Title and full name including middle names of rst applicant
Title
First name(s)
Middle name(s)
Last name
1.2 Your address
Building and street
Second line of address
Town or city
County (optional)
Postcode
Note 1.1 –
all correspondence, including
the Grant of Representation,
will be sent to the rst
applicant named in this
section.
Only list applicants who
wish to be named on the
grant in this section and
they will be required to sign
this document. Please note
that the names you provide
here must match the names
provided on your formal
ID. E.g. passport or Driving
licence.
Where there are persons aged
under 18 beneting from the
estate then two applicants (or
at least two) will be needed
in Section A. You may wish
to contact HMCTS Probate to
seek information in regard to
who is eligible to apply.
Please complete in BLOCK
capitals placing a tick in
boxes where applicable.
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1.3 Your home telephone number
1.4 Your mobile/work telephone number
1.5 Your email address
1.6 Title and full name including middle names of second applicant
Title
First name(s)
Middle name(s)
Last name
Note 1.5 – we will contact
you with any queries via
this email address.
We aim to contact you within
10 working days of receipt of
your application.
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1.7 Their address
Building and street
Second line of address
Town or city
County (optional)
Postcode
1.8 Their email address
1.9 Title and full name including middle names of third applicant
Title
First name(s)
Middle name(s)
Last name
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1.10 Their address
Building and street
Second line of address
Town or city
County (optional)
Postcode
1.11 Their email address
1.12 Title and full name including middle names of fourth applicant
Title
First name(s)
Middle name(s)
Last name
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1.13 Their address
Building and street
Second line of address
Town or city
County (optional)
Postcode
1.14 Their email address
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SECTION B
The information you provide in this section of the application form
will be the basis of your statement of truth, and it will be stored as a
public record.
2. About the person who has died
2.1 Forename(s) (including all middle names) as they appear on the
Death Certicate
2.2 Surname as it appears on the Death Certicate
2.3 Permanent address
Building and street
Second line of address
Town or city
County (optional)
Postcode
2.4 Date they were born
2.5 Date they died
2.6 Was the person who has died known by any other name in which they
held assets?
Yes, go to question 2.7
No, go to question 2.8
If you need help lling out this
form please call the
Probate Helpline
0300 123 1072
We cannot provide legal advice
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2.7 Please give the details of any other names by which the person who has
died held assets.
Full name
2.8 Did the person who died live permanently in England and Wales at the date
of death, or intend to return to England and Wales to live permanently?
(For legal purposes this generally means they were domiciled in England and
Wales. You may wish to seek legal advice about this.)
Yes
No
2.9 Was the person who has died or any of their relatives legally adopted in or
out of the family?
Yes, see note 2.9
No, go to question 2.11
2.10 Please name the legally adopted relatives and give their relationship to the
person who has died. Please state whether they were adopted into the family
of the person who has died, or adopted out’ (become part of someone else’s
family).
Name Relationship Adopted
in or out
Note 2.7 – These names must
be ones that will appear on
the grant because an asset is
in that name. We do not need
to know the asset.
Note 2.8 – Living
permanently means they
had either their permanent
or principal home in England
and Wales at the date of
death or they intended to
return to England and Wales
to live permanently.
Note 2.9 – If you answered
Yes to this question we
may require additional
information to be submitted
once we have received your
application.
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2.11 What was the marital status of the person who has died when they died?
Never married
Widowed, their lawful spouse or civil partner having died before them
Married/in a civil partnership - give date
Divorced/civil partnership is dissolved - give date
Judicially separated - give date
2.12 What is the name of the court where the Decree Absolute, Decree of
Dissolution of Partnership or Decree of Judicial Separation was issued?
2.13 Did the person who has died own any foreign assets?
Yes, the total value of their foreign assets (not including houses or land)
£
No
2.14 Was there any land vested in the person who has died which was settled
previously to their death and which remained settled land not withstanding
their death?
Yes
No
Note 2.11 – a civil partnership is
a same-sex relationship that has
been registered in accordance
with the Civil Partnership Act
2004. A marriage is a legal
ceremony conducted in UK
under the Marriage Acts 1949,
1994 and The Marriage (Same
Sex Marriage) Act 2013 or under
legislation in any other country
by the law applicable there.
Date of divorce - this date is on
their Decree Absolute, Decree
of Dissolution of Partnership or
Decree of Judicial Separation.
You can get an ocial copy
of these documents from the
court that issued them, or from
The Divorce Absolute Search
Section, Central Family Court,
42–49 High Holborn, London
WC1V 6NP.
Note 2.14 – It is rare for estates
to be subject to the provisions
of the Settled Land Act 1925 but
if you know this applies or have
any queries please seek legal
advice.
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3. Relatives of the person who has died
3.1 Did the person who has died leave a surviving lawful spouse or civil partner?
Yes
No
3.2 How many of the following blood and adoptive relatives did the person who
has died have?
Under
18years
Over
18 years
a How many sons or daughters of the person
who died survived them?
b How many sons or daughters of the person
who has died who did not survive them?
c How many children of people at ‘b’ who
survived them?
Please conrm that if any of the applicants are
grandchildren of the deceased (3.2c) that their
parent is one of the persons referred to at 3.2b.
If they are not then they are not able to apply.
Yes
If you have entered details in any of the boxes above
go to Q3.5. If not then proceed to question 3.3
Note 3.2 – Please state the
number of relatives the
person who has died had in
the relevant sections. If none
then put nil or strike through.
If you are unsure about the
relationships of the persons
applying then contact HMCTS
Probate.
Note 3.1 – survive’ means
that they were alive when the
deceased person died.
Note – Depending on the
value of the net estate the
lawful spouse/civil partner
may not be the only person
entitled to the estate of
the deceased. Please seek
legal advice regarding the
distribution of the estate.
All relatives from the same
category as the applicant are
entitled to share in the estate
including children/issue of
any who have predeceased.
You should seek legal advice
regarding distribution of the
estate if you are in any doubt.
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3.3 How many of the following blood and adoptive relatives did the person who
has died have?
If you have lled in details in any of the sections in question 3.2, then go to
question 3.5
Under
18years
Over
18 years
d How many parents of the person who has died
survived them?
e How many Whole-blood brothers or sisters of
the person who has died survived them?
f How many Whole-blood brothers or sisters
of the person who has died did not survive
them?
g How many Children of people at section (f )
survived them?
h How many Half-blood brothers or sisters of the
person who has died survived them?
i How many Half-blood brothers or sisters of the
person who has died did not survive them?
j How many Children of people at section (i)
survived them?
Please conrm that if any of the applicants are nephews or neices of the
whole or half blood of the deceased (questions 3.3g and 3.3j) that their
parent is one of the persons referred to at 3.3f or 3.3i. If they are not then
they are not able to apply.
Yes
If you have entered details in any of the boxes above go to Q3.5. If not then
go to question 3.4.
Note 3.3 – Once you have
entered a number in one of
the block sections (e.g. d to j)
you should go to question 3.5.
Step-relatives should not be
included.
A ‘whole-blood brother or
sister is someone who has
both parents in common
with person who has died,
or someone who was legally
adopted by both of the
parents of the person who
has died.
A ‘half-blood brother or
sister is someone who has
only one parent in common
with the person who has died,
or someone who was legally
adopted by only one of the
parents of the person who
has died.
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3.4 How many of the following blood and adoptive relatives did the person who
has died have?
If you have lled in details in any of the sections in question 3.3, then go to
question 3.5.
Under
18years
Over
18 years
a How many Grandparents of the person who
has died survived them?
b How many Whole-blood uncles or aunts of the
person who has died survived them?
c How many Whole-blood uncles or aunts of the
person who has died did not survive them?
d How many Children of people at 3.4c who
survived them?
e How many Half-blood uncles or aunts of the
person who has died survived them?
f How many Half-blood uncles or aunts of the
person who has died did not survived them?
g How many Children of people at 3.4f who
survived them?
Please conrm that if any of the applicants are cousins of the whole or half
blood of the deceased (questions 3.4d and 3.4g) and that their parent is one
of the persons referred to at 3.4c or 3.4f. If they are not then they are not able
to apply.
Yes
3.5. Please state the relationship of each of the persons applying for the grant
to the person who has died. (If you are applying as an attorney for someone
then please state attorney)
Relationship description
First applicant
Second applicant
Third applicant
Fourth applicant
Note 3.4 – this section should
only be completed if no
relatives have been entered
in section 3.3. Please state
the number of relatives the
person who has died had in
the relevant sections. If none
then put nil or strike through.
Step-relatives and people
who were related to the
person who has died only
by marriage should not be
included.
A ‘whole-blood uncle or
aunt is someone who has
both parents in common
with the mother or father of
the person who has died, or
someone who was legally
adopted by the maternal or
paternal grandparents of the
person who has died.
A ‘half-blood uncle or aunt
is someone who has only
one parent in common with
the mother or father of the
person who has died or
someone who was legally
adopted by only one of the
grandparents of the person
who has died.
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Note 4.4 – this applies if
they lack capacity under the
Mental Capacity Act 2005 and
are incapable of managing
their property and nancial
aairs. You may wish to seek
legal advice about this.
In some cases you may be
asked to provide medical
evidence. If you do not already
have medical evidence from
a qualied practitioner or are
using a registered LPA a short
form of medical evidence will
be required.
Please visit GOV.UK (gov.uk/
wills-probate-inheritance/
if-youre-an-executor) to
print o the PA14 medical
certifgicate or call 0117
9302430 and quote ‘medical
evidence and we will send
the form.
Note 4 – if you are applying
on behalf of more than one
person, please provide the
information requested in this
section for the other people
you represent on a separate
sheet of paper. We will need
to send you a further form for
the person who is appointing
you as their attorney to sign.
Please visit GOV.UK (gov.uk/
wills-probate-inheritance/
if-youre-an-executor) to print
o the PA12 attorney form or
call 0117 9302430 and quote
Attorney and we will send
the attorney form.
You will need to send the
attorney form to us with this
application.
Where there are persons aged
under 18 beneting from the
estate then two applicants (or
at least two) will be needed
in Section A. You may wish
to contact HMCTS Probate to
seek information in regard to
who is eligible to apply.
4. Applying as an attorney
4.1 Are you applying as an attorney on behalf of one or more people who are
entitled to apply for a Grant of Representation? Please read Note 4 before
proceeding.
Yes, go to question 4.2
No, go to section 5
4.2 Please give the full names of the person or people on whose behalf you are
applying and their relationship to the person who has died.
4.3 Please give their address
Building and street
Second line of address
Town or city
County (optional)
Postcode
4.4 Is a person on whose behalf you are applying unable to make a decision for
themselves due to an impairment of or a disturbance in the functioning of
their mind or brain?
Yes, further conrmation of this will be requested by the Probate Registry.
No
4.5 Has anyone been appointed by the Court of Protection to act on behalf of a
person on whose behalf you are applying including the right to apply for a
grant of representation?
Yes, please provide an ocial copy of the court order with your
application
No
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4.6 Has a person on whose behalf you are applying appointed an attorney under
an Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) or a Property and Financial Aairs
Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)?
Yes, please provide the original EPA/LPA (or a solicitor’s certied copy
of it certied on every page.) with your application
No, go to Section 6
4.7 Has the Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) been registered with the Oce of
the Public Guardian?
Yes
No
Note 4.6 – an LPA must be
registered with the Oce of
the Public Guardian before it
can be used.
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Note 5.3 and 5.4 – these
documents may help to
support your application.
If you do not have any of
these documents, you may
wish to seek legal advice.
5. Foreign domicile
Note – if you answered Yes, to question 2.8 you don’t need to complete this
section – please go to Section 6.
5.1 What was the country where the person who died either lived permanently
at the date of death or intended to return to live permanently?
5.2 What does the estate in England and Wales of the person who has died
consist of?
Assets Values
5.3 Has an entrusting document been issued by the court where the person who
has died was domiciled?
Yes, please provide the ocial document with your application; if it is
not in English, please also provide an ocial translation.
Go to Section 6.
No
5.4 Has a succession certicate, inheritance certicate or equivalent document
been issued by a court or Notary in the country of domicile of the person
who has died?
Yes, please provide the ocial document with your application; if it is
not in English, please also provide an ocial translation.
No
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(This gure will determine
the probate application fee)
(This gure will determine
the probate application fee)
(This gure will determine
the probate application fee)
6. Inheritance tax
6.1 Did you complete an Inheritance Tax Estate report online?
Yes, do not submit an Inheritance Tax form with this application
Please provide the following details, then go to Legal Statement:
IHT Identier
Gross Estate Figure
£
Net Estate Figure
£
No, go to question 6.2
6.2 Which of the following inheritance tax forms have you completed?
Form IHT205, complete 6.3 then go to Legal Statement
Form IHT207, complete 6.4 then go to Legal Statement
Forms IHT400 and IHT421, complete 6.5 then go to Legal Statement
6.3 Provide the following gures from form IHT205.
Figure from box D
£
Figure from box F
£
6.4 Provide the following gures from form IHT207.
Figure from box A
£
Figure from box H
£
6.5 Provide the following gures from form IHT421.
Figure from box 3
£
(Gross value of assets)
Figure from box 5
£
(Net value)
Note 6.5 – do not send form
IHT400 or form IHT421 to us.
Please send them to
HM Revenue and Customs,
Inheritance Tax, BX9 1HT, at
the same time you send PA1A
and other papers to HMCTS
Probate. HMRC will stamp
your IHT421 and send it to
HMCTS Probate.
Note 6.3 – if the person who
has died, died before
1 September 2006, it may
aect which tax form you
need to complete, so please
ring the Probate Helpline on
0300 123 1072.
Note 6.2 – if you did not
complete an Inheritance
Tax Estate report online, you
must complete IHT205, or
IHT207, or both IHT400 and
IHT421.
Note 6 – if you completed
an Inheritance Tax Summary
online, and fully complete
question 6.1 of this form,
you do not need to send an
Inheritance Tax Estate report
form with your application.
For guidance on probate
fees please visit www.
gov.uk/wills-probate-
inheritance/
LEGAL STATEMENT
The undersigned conrms:
to collect the whole estate
to keep full details (an inventory) of the estate
to keep a full account of how the estate has been distributed
If the Probate Registry (court) asks the undersigned they will:
Provide the full details of the estate and how it has been distributed
Return the grant of representation to the court
and understand that:
The application will be rejected if the information is not provided (if asked)
Criminal proceedings for fraud may be brought against the undersigned if it is found that the evidence provided
is deliberately untruthful or dishonest
The undersigned conrm to administer the estate of the person who has died in accordance to law, and that
the application is truthful.
PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT ALL PERSONS APPLYING FOR THE GRANT SIGN THE DECLARATION BELOW.
Name of rst applicant
Date signed
Signature
Name of third applicant
Date signed
Signature
Name of second applicant
Date signed
Signature
Name of fourth applicant
Date signed
Signature
Please send the original form signed by all applicants and required documents with payment to:
HMCTS Probate, PO Box 12625, Harlow, CM20 9QE
Phone 0300 303 0648
Email contactprobate@justice.gov.uk
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FOR OFFICE USE ONLY
How are the applicants entitled to apply.
In what capacity are the persons applying entitled to apply?
The undersigned is the wife or husband or civil partner of the person who
has died
The undersigned is or are the child/children of the person who has died
The undersigned is or are the grandchild/grandchildren of the person
who has died being the son or daughter of a child who died in the
lifetime of the person who has died.
The undersigned is or are the parent/parents of the person who has died
The undersigned is or are the brother(s) or sister (s) of of the whole/half
blood of the person who has died
The undersigned is or are the niece/nephew (s) of the whole/half blood of
the person who has died being the son or daughter of a brother or sister
of the person who has died who died in their lifetime.
Other (Please state in the box below the reason they are applying)