Register of Wills (Estate Records)

Additional Information

In addition to probating wills and processing estates, the Register of Wills serves as an agent for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for filing and payment of Inheritance Taxes. The inheritance tax return and payment is filed at the Register of Wills, and is then forwarded to the Commonwealth by this office. If you have questions, you should contact an attorney or an accountant for assistance.

All records in the Register of Wills 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.

Appointments

Opening estates are by appointment only. Please forward the completed required documents and the applicable filing fee to open an estate to the Register of Wills, Room 122, prior to opening the estate. The required documents will include the following: Petition for Probate and Grant of Letters, Estate Information Sheet, certified copy of the death certificate for decedent, and original Last Will and Testament of decedent, if applicable. There may be other documents depending on circumstances of the estate. Upon receipt of all the requisite documents, a representative from this office will contact you as to whether you need any additional documents, and to make an appointment for the Executor/ Administrator to sign the Petition and be sworn in before a Clerk from this office. Appointments are made for in person at the Register of Wills, Room 122, Erie County Courthouse, or via videoconference. We need a working email address to make the appointment via video conference.