Clerk of Orphan’s Court

The information provided on this website is not intended to be legal advice or to offer any opinion of the legal remedies available. The staff of the Register of Wills/Clerk of the Orphans’ Court is not permitted to offer opinions, directions or instructions on any matter that may be construed as legal advice. Our office provides the forms but cannot offer any direction or legal advice as to the preparation.

As Clerk of the Orphans’ Court, we accept filings for Adoptions, Guardian of Incapacitated Persons, Court-related Estate proceedings, as well as miscellaneous petitions.  We also accept filings for Guardian of the Estate of Minors.  All other Guardians of a Minor shall be filed as Custody proceedings through the Erie County custody office. The previously mentioned matters usually require a hearing before the Judge of the Orphans’ Court. We would urge you to seek the assistance of an attorney in these types of matters.

All records in the Register of Wills and Orphans’ Court are open to the public with the exception of Adoption records, which are impounded (sealed by the Court) by law and available only by order of Court.

Fee Schedule

On Monday March 3, 2025, the Erie County Register of Wills transitioned to a new case management system. Paperless Solution CourtPro case management system will provide our office and its users a fully integrated case management/document filing system. No Court filings or docket entries will be added into the INFOCON system after March 3, 2025.

On or after March 3, 2025, please go to https://courtpro.eriecountypa.gov for public access to Register of Wills, Orphans’ Court and Marriage Bureau records. If you already have an account with the Erie County Prothonotary CourtPro system, you will not have to register again. The records from the Prothonotary, Register of Wills, Orphans’ Court and Marriage Bureau will all be available at one on-line location.

NOTICE

EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 1, 2025

Pursuant to ACT 45 of 2025 and the Administrative Office of the Pennsylvania Courts (AOPC), the Judicial Computer Project/Access to Justice/Criminal Justice Enhancement/Office of Attorney General (JCP/ATJ/CJEA/OAG) fee has increased by $1.00. We will be implementing this increase EFFECTIVE MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2025.

EFFECTIVE MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2025, THE JCP FEE FOR ALL FILINGS IN THE REGISTER OF WILLS/ CLERK OF THE ORPHANS’ COURT WILL BE $41.25.

Forms – Orphans’ Court

Minors

Petition for Guardianship of a Minor shall no longer be filed in Orphans’ Court, but shall be filed as a Custody matter.  Please see the Family Law website or the following link:

Incapacitated Persons

First and Final Accounts

Adoption Searches