Filing & Fees
Fee Schedule Signals
Source ↗Probate Filing Fees
Lycoming County grant-of-letters (probate) fees are graduated on the estate value and already include the state JCS fee: $66.25 (not exceeding $1,000), $71.25 ($1,000 to $5,000), $81.25 ($5,000 to $10,000), $86.25 ($10,000 to $20,000), $96.25 ($20,000 to $30,000), $101.25 ($30,000 to $40,000), $106.25 ($40,000 to $50,000), $116.25 ($50,000 to $75,000), $121.25 ($75,000 to $100,000), plus $30 for each additional $100,000. A small estate petition is $35.50 (no tax return) or $55.50 (with tax return), and a short certificate is $4. Confirm current amounts on the county fee schedule. Source: Lycoming 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. An account may be required.
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
Advertising the grant of letters
Frequency: Once a week for three successive weeks
- One newspaper of general circulation published at or near the decedent's residence, or near where letters were granted for a nonresident decedent
- The legal periodical designated by rule of court for legal notices, if any
The notice must include the personal representative's name and address and request claims and debts to be presented or paid without delay.
Related Proceedings
Property Recording
Source ↗Lycoming County Tax Claim Bureau
Third Street Plaza, 33 West Third Street, 3rd Floor, Williamsport, PA 17701
Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The Delinquent Tax Information page says the Tax Claim Bureau collects delinquent real estate taxes turned over by all tax collectors and school districts in Lycoming County. It says unpaid taxes become delinquent after December 31, are returned in January, accrue filing fees and interest, may be paid online with a property Web ID, and delinquent tax figures requiring certification require a fee per parcel or map number. Use this as tax and delinquency context, not certified payoff or title reporting.
Sources for this page (6)
The facts above come from these official sources. Verify current details with the office before filing.
- lycomingcountypa.govhttps://lycomingcountypa.gov/government/row_officers/government/register___recorder/register_of_wills.php
- lycomingcountypa.govhttps://lycomingcountypa.gov/government/row_officers/government/register___recorder/map_and_estate_records_requests.php
- lycomingcountypa.govhttps://lycomingcountypa.gov/LYCOMING%20COUNTY%20REG%20OF%20WILLS%20FEE%20SHEET-UPDATED%20JCS%20FEES%202025.pdf?t=202601141209320
- lycomingcountypa.govhttps://lycomingcountypa.gov/Documents/Government/Departments/Register%20and%20Recorder/Orphans%27%20Court%20Fees.pdf?t=202512231145140
- searchiqs.comhttps://www.searchiqs.com/palyc/
- pacourts.ushttps://www.pacourts.us/forms/for-the-public/orphans-court-forms