Farra is a death administration assistant for UK families. Get step-by-step guidance for registering a death, applying for probate, notifying banks, and managing bereavement admin. From essential documents to practical checklists, Farra simplifies estate paperwork and funeral-related tasks so you can focus on what matters.
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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.
A standing search registers your interest with the Probate Registry (formally, the Principal Registry of the Family Division). Once entered:
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.
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:
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.
A standing search is most valuable in the following situations:
| 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.
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