What Is a Standing Search in Probate?

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.

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

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.