When you can't find a will
Standing search explained
Written and reviewed by our experienced team. Last verified against gov.uk on 26 July 2026. ProbateCheck is an independent service, not a law firm.
A standing search is an official request lodged with the Probate Registry using form PA1S. It costs £4 and lasts six months. If a grant of probate is issued for the named person within that period, copies of the documents are sent to you automatically. It is the right tool when someone has died recently and probate has not yet been granted.
| 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 |
When to use a standing search
Use a standing search when a search of the probate records finds nothing and the death was recent. Because probate typically takes 12 to 16 weeks, and records appear online around two weeks after a grant, a recent death often has no public record yet. A standing search means you do not have to keep checking: the moment a grant is issued, the documents come to you.
How to lodge one yourself
Download form PA1S
Get the standing search form from GOV.UK.
Fill in the deceased's details
Their full name, last address, and date of death (or approximate date).
Pay the £4 fee
Send the form and fee to the Probate Registry. The search is valid for six months and can be extended.
Or we lodge and monitor it for you
Our £29 managed search includes lodging the standing search, monitoring it for the full six months, and then obtaining and explaining the documents the moment a grant appears. You do not have to remember to re-check anything.
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 much does a standing search cost?+
A standing search costs £4 and is valid for six months. It can be extended for a further six months for another £4.
What is a standing search for?+
It is used when probate has not been granted yet. If a grant of probate is issued for the named person within six months, copies of the documents are sent to you automatically, so you do not have to keep searching.
How do I apply for a standing search?+
Download form PA1S from GOV.UK, complete the deceased's details, and send it with the £4 fee to the Probate Registry. A managed search service can lodge and monitor it for you.