What Is a Standing Search in Probate?

What is a standing search in probate and how do I enter one?

1A standing search is an instruction to the Probate Registry to notify you if a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration is issued for a named person's estate
2It lasts 6 months and can be renewed — the fee is £3
3A standing search is passive monitoring — unlike a caveat, it does not stop the grant being issued; it simply notifies you after it has been granted
4It is most useful for Inheritance Act claimants who need to know when the grant is issued so they can calculate the 6-month deadline for their claim
5A standing search and a caveat can be used together — the caveat prevents the grant being issued, while the standing search provides notification if the caveat lapses or is removed

A standing search costs £3, lasts 6 months, and notifies you when a grant of probate is issued for a named estate. It does not stop the grant — use a caveat for that. A standing search is essential for Inheritance Act claimants who need to know the grant date to calculate the 6-month claim deadline.

A standing search is a simple but useful tool in contentious probate. It allows you to monitor the Probate Registry for any grant being issued in connection with a named deceased person. This is particularly valuable when you need to know the exact date a grant is issued so that critical deadlines (such as the 6-month Inheritance Act deadline) can be calculated.

This guide explains what a standing search is, how to enter one, how long it lasts, the difference from a caveat, and when to use one.

What a Standing Search Does

A standing search registers your interest with the Probate Registry (formally, the Principal Registry of the Family Division). Once entered:

You will receive notice if a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration is issued for the named deceased within the search period
The notice will tell you who has been granted authority to administer the estate (the executor or administrator) and the date the grant was issued
If a grant was already issued before you entered the standing search but within 12 months before entry, you should still receive notification

Crucially, a standing search does NOT prevent the grant from being issued. It is purely for information purposes. To stop a grant being issued, you need a caveat — see our guide on how to enter a caveat at the Probate Registry.

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How to Enter a Standing Search

Complete form PA1S (available from the HMCTS website or any Probate Registry) and submit it by post to the Principal Registry of the Family Division, or apply through the HMCTS online probate service.

The form requires:

The deceased's full name, last known address, and date of death
Your name and address (for notification)
Payment of £3 (cheque, postal order, or online payment)

A standing search lasts 6 months from the date of entry. Before it expires, you can renew it by making a further application and paying a further £3. There is no limit on renewals.

When to Use a Standing Search

A standing search is most valuable in the following situations:

Inheritance Act claimant: The 6-month deadline for Inheritance Act claims runs from the date the grant is issued. If you are considering a claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, you need to know the exact date of the grant. A standing search ensures you are notified as soon as the grant is issued — see our guide on Inheritance Act 1975 claims
Beneficiary monitoring: If you are a beneficiary but have had no contact from the executor, a standing search tells you when the grant is issued so you can contact the executor and ask about the administration
After a caveat has been removed: If your caveat has been removed (either through a court order or because you agreed to its removal), a standing search monitors whether a grant is then issued
Where there is no caveat: A standing search without a caveat is appropriate where you do not want to stop the administration but simply need to be informed of it

Caveat vs Standing Search: Summary

Feature	Caveat	Standing Search
Cost	£3	£3
Duration	6 months (renewable)	6 months (renewable)
Stops the grant?	Yes	No
Notifies you of grant?	No (prevents it)	Yes
Best used when...	Challenging will validity	Monitoring for IHT/IA deadline

For the overall contentious probate picture, see our introduction to contentious probate, our guide on the grounds for contesting a will, and our guide on time limits for contesting a will. For costs of contentious proceedings, see our guide on costs in contentious probate. For mediation options, see our guide to mediation in estate disputes.

For the non-contentious probate process, see our guide to applying for probate, our estate administration checklist, and our guide to finding the will.

Get started with Farra for a personalised estate administration task list.

Feature

Caveat

Standing Search

Cost

£3

Duration

6 months (renewable)

Stops the grant?

Yes

Notifies you of grant?

No (prevents it)

Yes

Best used when...

Challenging will validity

Monitoring for IHT/IA deadline