Register of Wills / Orphans' Court

FEE CHANGES STARTING FEBUARY 1, 2023

Per Administrative Orders, some fees for both Register of Wills and Clerk of the Orphans' Court are changing.

Register of Wills Order with new Fee Schedule

Clerk of the Orphans' Court Order with new Fee Schedule

Change to Fees for Court Appointed Guardians

Per an Administrative Order (please click here to see the order) all professional/corporate Court appointed guardians will see a fee increase for incapacitated persons who are recipients of Medicaid.

Current Office Operations

Our office is now open to the public for all filings

The office is open during normal business hours, however, we ask that filings that can be filed by mail continue to do so. This minimizes the exposure to yourself and to our office personnel. If you are coming into the Justice Center you must follow all required safety protocols.

Estate Probates and Marriage License Applications will be accepted in person in the office. You MUST make an appointment.

 

estate button Opens in new window   ML button Opens in new window


Extended Office Hours for Marriage License Applications 

The Marriage License office is open for extended hours each Wednesday until 6:00PM for in-person marriage license applications ONLY. You must have an appointment.  All applicants with appointments at 4:30pm or after must pay with a credit card. Cash payments will not be accepted.  Any couples with appointments at 4:00pm or later who require an interpreter MUST bring an interpreter with them.  The interpreter must be 18 years or older and have photo identification.

PA Guardian Tracking System (GTS)


The Pennsylvania Supreme Court requires that court-appointed guardians of an adult person who has been adjudicated incapacitated file the required inventory and annual reports online. Guardians can set up an account for GTS by visiting the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania Courts web portal. Guardians who do not have access to the internet can come into the Clerk of the Orphans' Court office and use a public access computer to file their required reports online. The Chester County Clerk of the Orphans' Court will no longer accept paper or emailed filings of inventory and annual reports.

Public Access Policy


Information and forms pertaining to Chester County's Public Access Policy.

Credit and Debit Card Payment of Office Fees  


This office accepts payments from MasterCard, Visa, American Express and Discover. In addition to the cost of the office fee the payment processing company charges a convenience fee of 2.25% of the total amount paid or a $1.50 minimum to the cardholders who use this service.
Credit Card Logo

Mediation Program


The Mediation Program is intended to provide the participant prompt access to dispute resolution proceedings that are fair, confidential, effective, and cost far less than a court proceeding. In many cases, mediation may allow the parties to reach agreements that will suit them much better than a court decision, and may promote healing of strained family relationships. Learn more.

Electronic Filing Services


We accept filing of certain documents by fax or email. An electronically filed document must be signed, dated and executed as though it were the original, in accordance with the applicable filing requirements. The document will be file-stamped with the date it is received, and will be entered into the docket as though it were the original. 

Electronic Transmission Options
  • Fax 610-344-6218. The fax confirmation is your electronic receipt.
  • Email [email protected]. The “request a read/delivery receipt” response is your electronic receipt. The electronic receipt will serve as proof that the document has been accepted for filing. 
The following documents are accepted for filing electronically
  • Estate Status Report - Form 10.6
  • Estate Certification of Notice - Form 10.5
  • Estate Inventory 
  • Attorney’s Entry of Appearance 
  • Affidavit of Proof of Deposit of Minor’s Funds 
  • Motion for Continuance of a Court Scheduled Event

REAL ID Information


The REAL ID Act is a federal law that affects how states issue driver's licenses and ID cards if they are going to be accepted for federal purposes, such as boarding a domestic commercial flight or entering a federal facility that requires ID.

REAL ID Links


Legal Advice & Information Disclaimer 


The Register of Wills, Clerk of the Orphans’ Court and staff are not permitted to offer opinions, directions or instructions on any matter that may be construed as legal advice. Our office provides, as required, many of the forms needed for estate administration, including the Inheritance Tax Return. The offering of these forms is not a statement that no other forms are necessary or that those provided must be completed in every instance.

The Clerk of the Orphans’ Court, acting as a conduit for the Court, accepts filings for Orphans’ Court matters. The Court, in accordance with Federal, State and Local rules and statutes, determines the correctness of the filings.

The Register of Wills and Clerk of the Orphans’ Court have prepared the information provided on this website. Nothing contained herein is intended to be legal advice or to offer any opinion of the legal remedies available or appropriate in any particular circumstance. It is hoped that the information presented will merely be useful in answering frequently asked questions concerning the Register of Wills and Clerk of the Orphans’ Court.