Form PA1A: Apply for Letters of Administration Without a Will (2026 Guide)

When someone dies without leaving a valid will, they are said to have died intestate. Their estate does not pass according to their wishes — it passes according to a fixed set of rules set out in law. Before anyone can deal with that estate, someone must apply to the Probate Registry for letters of administration. The form that begins that application is PA1A.

This guide explains who can apply, how the intestacy rules determine the priority order for applications, how to complete PA1A step by step, and how to avoid the errors that cause delays.

What Is Form PA1A?

Form PA1A is the official application form used in England and Wales to apply for letters of administration where the deceased died without a valid will. It is published by His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) and is submitted to the Probate Registry, either online through the MyHMCTS portal or by post to the National Probate Centre.

Letters of administration is the legal document issued by the court that:

• Confirms there is no valid will governing the estate.
• Appoints the applicant as administrator of the estate.
• Grants the administrator legal authority to collect, manage, and distribute the estate’s assets.

Without letters of administration, banks, building societies, the Land Registry, and investment platforms will not release or transfer assets held in the deceased’s sole name. It is the administrator’s legal key to the estate, just as a grant of probate is the executor’s.

PA1A is specifically for estates where there is no valid will. If the deceased left a will, you need form PA1P — see the separate guide.

When Do You Need Form PA1A?

You need to complete PA1A when all of the following apply:

1. The deceased died in England or Wales (or held assets there).
2. There is no valid will — either none was ever made, or any will that exists is invalid (for example, it was not properly witnessed).
3. The estate contains assets that require legal authority to release.

When letters of administration may not be needed:

• All assets passed to a surviving joint owner by survivorship.
• All assets are held in trust.
• The estate is very small and every institution involved is willing to release assets without a grant (each institution sets its own threshold — check individually).

If a property, sole-name bank account, or any other significant asset is held in the deceased’s name alone, you will almost certainly need letters of administration and therefore need PA1A.

What Is PA1A Used For?

PA1A collects the information the Probate Registry needs to:

• Confirm that there is no valid will.
• Establish who is entitled to apply under the intestacy rules.
• Verify the administrator’s identity.
• Calculate the correct court fee.
• Issue the letters of administration.

PA1A is submitted alongside a certified copy of the death certificate and — in most cases — a completed inheritance tax form. For estates below the inheritance tax threshold, the companion form is IHT205. For larger or more complex estates, HMRC form IHT400 is required.

The Intestacy Rules: Who Can Apply?

When someone dies without a will, the law decides who inherits and who has the right to apply for letters of administration. The relevant legislation is the Administration of Estates Act 1925 (as amended), together with the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 for certain claims.

The priority order for who may apply as administrator, under the Non-Contentious Probate Rules 1987, is:

1. Surviving spouse or civil partner (if the deceased was married or in a civil partnership at the date of death).
2. Children of the deceased (including legally adopted children, but generally not stepchildren unless formally adopted).
3. Issue of deceased children (grandchildren, if a child of the deceased has already died).
4. Parents of the deceased.
5. Brothers and sisters of the whole blood (sharing both parents).
6. Issue of brothers and sisters of the whole blood (nieces and nephews).
7. Brothers and sisters of the half blood (sharing only one parent).
8. Issue of brothers and sisters of the half blood.
9. Grandparents.
10. Uncles and aunts of the whole blood and their issue.
11. Uncles and aunts of the half blood and their issue.

If no relatives can be found in any of these categories, the estate passes to the Crown as bona vacantia (ownerless property).

Important — cohabiting partners are not automatically entitled. A partner who was not married to or in a civil partnership with the deceased has no automatic right to inherit under the intestacy rules and no automatic right to apply for letters of administration. They may be able to make a claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, but this is a separate legal step.

If someone of higher priority exists but does not wish to apply, they must formally renounce their right before someone of lower priority can proceed.

Step-by-Step Guide to Completing PA1A

Step 1: Confirm There Is No Valid Will

Before completing PA1A you must be reasonably satisfied that the deceased left no valid will. Check:

• Personal papers, filing cabinets, and home safes.
• Safe deposit boxes.
• The deceased’s solicitor, if they had one.
• The National Will Register (Certainty and Areyoumade.co.uk operate searchable registers in England and Wales).
• The Probate Registry — grants of probate are public records and a search can confirm whether a will was previously admitted to probate.

If a will is later discovered after letters of administration have been issued, the grant may need to be revoked and replaced with a grant of probate, which is a costly and time-consuming process. Thorough searching at the outset is essential.

Step 2: Establish Who Has Priority to Apply

Work through the priority order above. The person with the highest priority who is willing to act should apply. If there is more than one person at the same level of priority (for example, four surviving children), up to four of them may apply together as joint administrators.

If a person of higher priority exists but does not want to apply, they must sign a formal renunciation before the next person in line can proceed. PA1A includes provision to note this, but separate renunciation documents may be required.

Step 3: Gather the Documents You Need

Before you open the form, collect:

• A certified copy of the death certificate issued by the registrar.
• Details of all assets and liabilities in the estate: property values, bank balances, investments, outstanding mortgages, and debts.
• Your own identification documents.
• Evidence of your entitlement to apply — for example, a marriage certificate if you are applying as a spouse, or birth certificates if you are applying as a child.
• The completed IHT205 (for excepted estates) or the HMRC reference number from IHT400 (for larger estates).

Step 4: Value the Estate

Calculate the gross and net estate value as at the date of death:

• Gross value: everything owned by the deceased, before debts.
• Net value: gross value minus liabilities (mortgages, loans, credit cards, funeral expenses).

Property must be valued at open market value at the date of death — an estate agent’s letter confirming this is normally sufficient unless the estate is above the inheritance tax threshold, where a formal RICS valuation may be required.

Step 5: Complete the Deceased’s Details (Section 1)

Enter the full legal name of the deceased exactly as it appears on the death certificate. Also enter:

• Date of birth and date of death.
• Last permanent address.
• Domicile — if the deceased had strong international connections, specialist advice may be needed before proceeding.
• Marital status at the date of death.

Step 6: Confirm There Is No Will (Section 2)

You must confirm in the form that the deceased did not leave a valid will. You are signing a statement of truth to that effect, so be thorough in your searches before completing this section.

Step 7: Complete the Administrator’s Details (Section 3)

For each person applying as administrator, provide their full legal name, address, date of birth, and telephone number. State the basis on which each applicant is entitled to apply — for example, “surviving spouse” or “child of the deceased”.

If a person of higher priority exists but is not applying, note this and ensure their renunciation document is prepared.

Step 8: Confirm the Inheritance Tax Position (Section 4)

Indicate which inheritance tax form you have completed and submitted to HMRC. For excepted estates, confirm that you have completed IHT205. If IHT400 was required, include the HMRC reference number.

Do not submit PA1A before the inheritance tax position is resolved. If HMRC requires further information or issues a query on IHT400, you must wait for that to be cleared first.

Step 9: Calculate and Pay the Court Fee

The Probate Registry charges the same fee structure as for PA1P applications:

• Estates below £5,000: no fee.
• Estates of £5,000 or above: £300 (as of 2026 — always verify the current HMCTS fee schedule before applying).

Order additional official copies of the letters of administration — one per institution you need to deal with. Copies cost £1.50 each.

Step 10: Sign the Statement of Truth

Each applying administrator must sign the statement of truth in PA1A, confirming that the information is accurate to the best of their knowledge and belief. Sign only after you have reviewed and finalised every section of the form.

Step 11: Submit the Application

Applications may be submitted:

• Online via the MyHMCTS portal at http://www.apply-for-probate.service.gov.uk — generally faster and provides immediate confirmation.
• By post to HMCTS Probate, PO Box 12625, Harlow CM20 9QE.

If applying by post, send: the certified death certificate, completed PA1A, IHT205 or HMRC reference, and any renunciation documents. Send by Royal Mail Special Delivery and keep a record of everything you post.

Key Deadlines

There is no fixed statutory deadline for applying for letters of administration, but acting promptly matters for several reasons:

• Banks may freeze accounts, making it difficult to pay ongoing bills.
• If inheritance tax is owed, interest runs from six months after the end of the month in which the person died.
• Property in the estate still accrues costs (insurance, council tax, maintenance) regardless of whether the estate has been administered.

Aim to submit your application within six months of the date of death wherever possible.

What Happens After You Submit?

Current processing times at the National Probate Centre are typically eight to sixteen weeks for straightforward applications. Complex cases or those generating queries take longer.

Once the letters of administration are issued, HMCTS sends them to you along with the copies you ordered. You can then use these to:

• Notify banks and building societies and close or transfer accounts.
• Apply to the Land Registry to transfer or sell property.
• Deal with investments, pensions (where applicable), and other assets.

After collecting the assets, you must pay all debts and liabilities before distributing what remains to the people entitled to inherit under the intestacy rules. The distribution shares are set by law — they are not discretionary.

How the Intestacy Rules Distribute the Estate

Where a spouse or civil partner survives, the distribution depends on whether the deceased also left children:

• Spouse or civil partner only, no children: the entire estate passes to the surviving spouse or civil partner.
• Spouse or civil partner and children: the surviving spouse or civil partner receives all personal property, the first £322,000 of the estate (the statutory legacy, current as of 2026 — check the most recent figure), and half of the remainder. The other half of the remainder passes to the children equally.
• Children only, no spouse: the estate is divided equally among the children.

These figures are updated periodically by statutory instrument. Always verify the current statutory legacy before distributing an estate.

Common Mistakes That Delay Applications

1. Failing to search thoroughly for a will. If a will is discovered after letters of administration are granted, the grant may need to be revoked.
2. Applying without establishing priority. If a person of higher priority has not renounced their right, HMCTS will reject or delay the application.
3. Using the wrong form. PA1A is for intestacy only. If a will exists — even an informal or disputed one — the position is more complex and professional advice is required.
4. Incorrect estate valuation. Inaccurate figures can lead to the wrong IHT form being used, incorrect court fees, or problems with HMRC.
5. Not ordering enough copies. Order one copy per institution, plus one or two spares.
6. Submitting before HMRC has processed the inheritance tax form. If IHT400 is required, wait for the HMRC reference number.
7. Ignoring cohabiting partners. An unmarried partner has no automatic rights — overlooking their position can lead to legal claims against the estate later.

The Rules

The key legislation and procedural rules for intestate estates and letters of administration in England and Wales include:

• The Administration of Estates Act 1925 (as amended) — sets out the intestacy rules and distribution entitlements.
• The Intestates’ Estates Act 1952 — provides the surviving spouse’s right to acquire the matrimonial home.
• The Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 — allows certain people, including cohabiting partners, to apply to the court for reasonable financial provision from the estate.
• The Non-Contentious Probate Rules 1987 (as amended) — sets out procedural requirements for applying for letters of administration.

HMCTS publishes updated guidance for PA1A on GOV.UK. Always use the current version of the form.

Related Court Forms & Guides

• Form PA1P: Probate (with will) — applying for probate where there is a will.
• Form IHT400: Inheritance Tax — the full inheritance tax account.
• Form IHT205: Estate Information — the short-form estate return.
• Civil Court Forms Index — every civil court form guide in one place.

How Chris Can Help

Intestate estates are often more complicated than estates with a clear will. Identifying who has priority, obtaining renunciations, valuing the estate correctly, completing the inheritance tax form, and then distributing in accordance with the statutory rules — every step requires precision.

Chris can help you prepare your PA1A application, draft the accompanying statement of truth, check your IHT205 figures, and review your submission pack before you send it. The process is yours to manage — Chris makes sure the paperwork is right.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I apply for letters of administration without a solicitor?
A: Yes. There is no legal requirement to use a solicitor and many administrators handle the application themselves. The MyHMCTS portal makes online applications straightforward. However, if there are disputes about who has priority, complications with foreign assets, or claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, professional legal advice is strongly recommended.

Q: My partner and I were not married. Do I have any rights to their estate?
A: Not automatically. Cohabiting partners — regardless of how long they lived together — have no automatic right to inherit under the intestacy rules and no automatic right to apply for letters of administration. You may be able to make a claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 if you were maintained by the deceased or lived in the same household as their partner. This is a court application and professional advice is strongly recommended.

Q: What if there is a will but it is invalid?
A: If a will fails because it was not properly executed (for example, not signed in the presence of two independent witnesses), the estate is treated as if there is no will at all and the intestacy rules apply. However, if the validity of the will is genuinely disputed, this becomes a contentious probate matter — a different legal process requiring specialist advice before any PA1A application is made.

Q: Can I distribute the estate before I receive letters of administration?
A: No. You have no legal authority to deal with the estate’s assets until the letters of administration are issued. Distributing assets before this point, or without following the intestacy rules, exposes you to personal liability.

Q: What is the difference between an administrator and an executor?
A: An executor is named in a will and applies for a grant of probate using PA1P. An administrator is appointed by the court when there is no will (or no executor able to act) and applies for letters of administration using PA1A. Both roles carry the same practical responsibilities — collecting assets, paying debts, and distributing the estate — but the legal authority comes from different sources.

Frequently asked questions

What is Form PA1A used for?

PA1A is the official application form used in England and Wales to apply for letters of administration where the deceased died without a valid will. It confirms there is no valid will, establishes who is entitled to apply under the intestacy rules, verifies the administrator’s identity, and lets the Probate Registry issue the grant.

How is PA1A different from PA1P?

PA1A is specifically for estates where there is no valid will. If the deceased left a will, you need form PA1P instead — see the separate guide.

Who can apply for letters of administration?

The intestacy rules set a priority order, starting with the surviving spouse or civil partner, then children, then other relatives. If someone of higher priority exists but does not wish to apply, they must formally renounce their right before someone of lower priority can proceed. A cohabiting partner who was not married or in a civil partnership with the deceased has no automatic right to apply.

What documents do I submit with PA1A?

PA1A is submitted alongside a certified copy of the death certificate and, in most cases, the relevant inheritance-tax form. You should also have evidence of your entitlement to apply (such as a marriage or birth certificate) and details of the estate’s assets and liabilities ready.

Is there a deadline to apply?

There is no fixed statutory deadline, but acting promptly matters — banks may freeze accounts, inheritance-tax interest can run, and property costs keep accruing. Aim to submit your application within six months of the date of death wherever possible.

What is the court fee?

The Probate Registry uses a fee structure based on estate value, and additional official copies of the grant can be ordered. Always check the current HMCTS fee for your situation before applying.

Related guides: Form PA1P (probate with a will) · Form IHT205 (excepted estates) · Form IHT400 (inheritance tax) · All civil court forms