Use This County Probate Reference Before You File
This page is built for the detailed county-level checks that generic probate guides usually miss: local filing fees, Register of Wills and Orphans' Court contact details, administrative orders, e-filing rules, and hearing logistics for Adams County.
Local Fee Schedule
Review county-specific probate filing charges before you estimate total case cost.
Court Rules and Orders
Check the local rules, judge procedures, and administrative orders that can change how a case moves.
Clerk and Filing Logistics
Confirm where to file, whether e-filing is allowed, and how hearings or notices are handled locally.
Adams County Register of Wills and Orphans' Court Guide
Adams County Court of Common Pleas · Register of Wills and Orphans' Court information · Updated May 2026
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Filing & Fees
Fee Schedule Signals
Source ↗Probate Filing Fees
Specific fee amounts are not available for this county. Adams County grant-of-letters (probate) fees are graduated on the estate value: $28 (not over $1,000), $34 ($1,000 to $5,000), $44 ($5,001 to $10,000), $50 ($10,001 to $20,000), $60 ($20,001 to $30,000), $70 ($30,001 to $40,000), $80 ($40,001 to $50,000), $90 ($50,001 to $75,000), $100 ($75,001 to $100,000), plus $50 for each additional $100,000, and $550 for the first $1,000,000. A $41.25 Judicial Computer Project fee and a $10 automation fee are added to each grant of letters. Probate of a will only (no letters) is $17, and a short certificate is $5. Confirm current amounts on the county fee schedule. Source: Adams County Register of Wills fee bill, effective December 1, 2025.
Adams County grant-of-letters (probate) fees are graduated on the estate value: $28 (not over $1,000), $34 ($1,000 to $5,000), $44 ($5,001 to $10,000), $50 ($10,001 to $20,000), $60 ($20,001 to $30,000), $70 ($30,001 to $40,000), $80 ($40,001 to $50,000), $90 ($50,001 to $75,000), $100 ($75,001 to $100,000), plus $50 for each additional $100,000, and $550 for the first $1,000,000. A $41.25 Judicial Computer Project fee and a $10 automation fee are added to each grant of letters. Probate of a will only (no letters) is $17, and a short certificate is $5. Confirm current amounts on the county fee schedule. Source: Adams County Register of Wills fee bill, effective December 1, 2025.
Required Documents
- County Register of Wills probate or administration petition packet(County ROW packet)
Opening forms are county-specific. Use the current Register of Wills packet for the county where probate or administration is being opened.
- Certified death certificate
Registers of Wills commonly require a certified death certificate for opening letters; confirm copy count and accepted format with the county office.
- Renunciations, consents, or bond papers
Whether these are needed depends on the will, priority to serve, bond requirements, and county packet instructions.
- Short certificate or certified-copy request
Request after appointment when banks, title companies, agencies, or other holders need certified proof of authority.
E-Filing & Filing Methods
Records portal
Check live court-record information when available. Search results may not include every probate record.
Timelines & Proceedings
Deadlines & Creditor Claims
Key Deadlines
- Will Deposit
- Verify locally
- Creditor Claims
- 12 months
- Known Creditor Notice
- 60 days
Creditor Claims
- Period Starts
- first complete advertisement of grant of letters
- Statute
- 20 Pa.C.S. Section 3532
Publication Requirements
Related Proceedings
Property Recording
Source ↗Adams County Tax Claim Bureau
117 Baltimore Street, Gettysburg, PA 17325
Official Tax Claim pages describe collection, management, and distribution of delinquent real estate tax money and link a GovPayNow delinquent-tax payment surface. Payment/search context is not a certified tax status or title report.
Sources (7)
- https://www.adamscountypa.gov/departments/registerofwills
- https://www.adamscountypa.gov/departments/clerkoforphanscourt
- https://landrecordspa.adamscountypa.gov/external/User/Login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fexternal%2fIndex.aspx
- https://www.adamscountypa.gov/departments/registerofwills/estate-probate
- https://www.adamscountypa.gov/departments/registerofwills/forms
- https://www.adamscountypa.gov/departments/registerofwills/faq-s
- https://www.pacourts.us/forms/for-the-public