Knowledge Base Article

Probate Application (PA1P or PA1A) Guide

A beginner-friendly guide to submitting probate in England and Wales and tracking it in Estate Suite.

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What this stage is for

Probate is the legal authority step.

This guide is for England and Wales. If the estate jurisdiction is Scotland, use the dedicated Scotland confirmation guide in the Knowledge Base.

In most cases:

  • PA1P is used when there is a valid will.
  • PA1A is used when there is no valid will.

Key England and Wales rules to remember

  • Confirm the IHT route first. If IHT400 is required, post IHT400 to HMRC before starting probate.
  • HMRC usually issues the probate code around 20 working days after receiving IHT400; this code is used in the GOV.UK online probate application.
  • Excepted routes usually do not need a separate HMRC IHT return before probate.
  • You can apply online through GOV.UK/HMCTS or by paper form (PA1P/PA1A), depending on the estate.
  • Original will/codicils may still need to be provided where required by the probate process.

Step-by-step in Estate Suite

  1. Open Probate and confirm who is applying (executor with a will, or administrator if no valid will).
  2. Confirm IHT is complete first, including references and supporting records.
  3. If the route is IHT400, wait for HMRC probate code before submitting probate online.
  4. Check key identity details match across Assessment, Documents, and Probate data.
  5. Confirm required documents are available, including original will and codicils where applicable.
  6. Submit through the official GOV.UK route and pay the fee.
  7. Save submission reference numbers, dates, and payment confirmation in Documents.
  8. Track follow-up requests in Tasks and Correspondence until the grant is issued.

What to prepare before submission

  • Deceased details
  • Executor or administrator details
  • Will and codicil status
  • IHT position and references
  • Fee payment method

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Submitting before tax stage is complete
  • Using a form that does not match the estate route
  • Name and date mismatches across documents
  • Not recording what was submitted and when
  • Waiting until the end to check if originals are available

FAQ

Do I need to finish IHT before probate?

In practice, yes. Probate applications depend on the tax stage being completed correctly.

For IHT400 estates, send IHT400 to HMRC first and wait for the HMRC probate code before starting the online probate submission.

What happens if the Probate Registry asks questions?

Respond quickly, keep answers consistent with your estate records, and store all correspondence in the workspace.

What should I do when the grant arrives?

Move to collection and debt settlement steps, and record all grant-based actions in Correspondence and Ledger.