How to find a will
Form PA1S: copy of a will by post vs online
Written and reviewed by our experienced team. Checked against GOV.UK on 16 August 2026. ProbateCheck is an independent service, not a law firm.
You can order a copy of a will or grant of probate by post using form PA1S, or online. Both cost £16 per record. The postal route uses form PA1S sent to the Probate Registry; the online route is usually faster. A £4 standing search is used when no grant has been issued yet. Or we do it for £29.
| Service | Fee | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Search the probate index | Free | gov.uk/search-will-probate |
| Copy of a will or grant (online) | £16 | gov.uk (from 17 Nov 2025) |
| Standing search (6 months) | £4 | gov.uk, form PA1S |
| Search by post (form PA1S) | £16 | gov.uk |
| ProbateCheck managed search | £29 | search + copy + explanation, done for you |
The postal route
Download form PA1S from GOV.UK, fill in the person's details, and send it with the £16 fee to the Probate Registry. If a grant exists, you receive the copy by post, usually within a few weeks.
Online is usually faster
The online service at GOV.UK lets you search for free and order the same £16 copy without posting a form. For most people it is the quicker option. Search online here.
No grant yet?
If probate has not been granted, use form PA1S to lodge a standing search for £4 instead, so the documents reach you automatically if a grant is issued within six months.
Let us do the whole search, £29 all in
We search every name variation across the correct index years, obtain the grant and the will, lodge a standing search if no grant exists yet, and explain it all in plain English. Government fees included.
Start with a free checkFrequently asked questions
How do I get a copy of a will by post?+
Use form PA1S from GOV.UK. Fill in the person's details, enclose the £16 fee, and send it to the Probate Registry. If a grant exists, the copy is posted to you.
Is it cheaper to order a will online or by post?+
The fee is £16 either way. Online is usually faster because you can search for free and order without posting a form.