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 Franklin 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.
Franklin County Register of Wills and Orphans' Court Guide
Thirty Ninth Judicial District of Pennsylvania · 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. Franklin County grant-of-letters (probate) fees are graduated on the estate value: $30 (not exceeding $1,000), $35 ($1,001 to $5,000), $40 ($5,001 to $10,000), $45 ($10,001 to $20,000), $50 ($20,001 to $30,000), $60 ($30,001 to $40,000), $70 ($40,001 to $50,000), $75 ($50,001 to $75,000), $80 ($75,001 to $100,000), plus $35 for each additional $100,000. A $41.25 JCP fee and a $5 automation fee apply, paid at probate. A short certificate is $5. Confirm current amounts on the county fee schedule. Source: Franklin County Register of Wills fee schedule, effective November 17, 2025.
Franklin County grant-of-letters (probate) fees are graduated on the estate value: $30 (not exceeding $1,000), $35 ($1,001 to $5,000), $40 ($5,001 to $10,000), $45 ($10,001 to $20,000), $50 ($20,001 to $30,000), $60 ($30,001 to $40,000), $70 ($40,001 to $50,000), $75 ($50,001 to $75,000), $80 ($75,001 to $100,000), plus $35 for each additional $100,000. A $41.25 JCP fee and a $5 automation fee apply, paid at probate. A short certificate is $5. Confirm current amounts on the county fee schedule. Source: Franklin County Register of Wills fee schedule, effective November 17, 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 ↗Recording Fees
- First Page
- $92.75
- Additional Pages
- $2.00
Documentary Stamps
- Deed Rate
- Franklin County publishes that state realty transfer tax is 1% of consideration or assessed value and local tax of the same is due when recording, subject to statement-of-value and exemption review.
Franklin County Tax Claim
Administration Building, 272 North Second Street, Chambersburg, PA 17201
Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. for payments; office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The Tax Claim page says the office collects delinquent real estate taxes levied in the county, including school and municipal taxes, and provides online delinquent-tax payment by credit card or debit card with a credit feature. It says delinquent-tax totals cannot be found online and users must call Tax Claim for the correct amount. Use this as delinquency, tax-sale, and payment context, not certified payoff or current-tax completeness.
Sources (5)
- https://www.franklincountypa.gov/departments/register-recorder/
- https://www.franklincountypa.gov/departments/archives-records-management/
- https://www.landex.com/land-records-access.asp
- https://www.franklincountypa.gov/clerk-of-orphans-court/orphans-court-fees/
- https://www.pacourts.us/forms/for-the-public/orphans-court-forms