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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, clerk contact details, administrative orders, e-filing rules, and hearing logistics for Mercer 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.

Mercer County Probate Court Guide

Mercer County Court of Common Pleas probate court information · Updated May 2026

724-662-3800 ext. 2248County Clerk
Family Guide
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Mercer County Court of Common Pleas|
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Filing & Fees

Fee Schedule Signals

Source ↗

Probate Filing Fees

Specific fee amounts are not available for this county. The Mercer County Orphans' Court Division fee schedule says all probate and first filings must be accompanied by a death certificate and lists Register of Wills fees by estate value and filing type. Confirm current filing, short-certificate, certified-copy, account, and petition fees directly with the office before customer packet use.

The Mercer County Orphans' Court Division fee schedule says all probate and first filings must be accompanied by a death certificate and lists Register of Wills fees by estate value and filing type. Confirm current filing, short-certificate, certified-copy, account, and petition fees directly with the office before customer packet use.

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.

  • Original will and codicils

    If a will exists, Pennsylvania probate proof is governed by 20 Pa.C.S. Section 3132 and county Register practice.

  • Petition details for letters

    Section 3153 describes petition contents for letters, including decedent, petitioner, interested-party, estate, and requested-letter details.

  • 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.

  • Inventory materials

    20 Pa.C.S. Section 3301 governs inventory timing after appointment; this is not always an opening-day filing.

  • Small-estate petition and proposed distribution papers(20 Pa.C.S. 3102 petition)

    Use only when the estate may qualify for Pennsylvania small-estate settlement of personal property and the county Orphans' Court accepts the petition.

E-Filing & Filing Methods

Case SearchProbate Forms

Records portal

Use this county-linked source to check live court-record information when available. Search results may not include every probate record.

Open portal
Source foundSearchable, completeness not guaranteedMay require payment

The county records-maintained guide says probate records start in 1800, searches in the Russell Index System need a first and last name and an approximate date of death is helpful, many records are on microfiche with a public reader/printer, archive records may require at least 48 hours advance retrieval, and records after 1944 are accessed from public computer terminals in the office. A complete remote public estate index, image access, and certified-copy workflow were not verified.

Filing Methods: in person, mail

Timelines & Proceedings

Deadlines & Creditor Claims

Key Deadlines

Will Deposit
0 days
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
$71.25

Documentary Stamps

Deed Rate
Pennsylvania realty transfer tax is generally 1% at the state level; Mercer County Recorder notices also flag local realty transfer tax changes for some municipalities and require current recorder and Department of Revenue review.
Records Search Property Search

Mercer County Tax Claim Bureau

125 S. Diamond Street, Suite 3, Mercer, PA 16137

Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except holidays.

724-662-3800 ext. 2228, 2229, 2232 or 2233

[email protected]

Tax Collector Tax Search

The Tax Claim Bureau general information page says the bureau collects delinquent real estate taxes for 11 school districts and the 48 city, township, and borough taxing districts in Mercer County. It does not collect current-year real estate taxes, which should be paid to the local tax collector. Taxes become delinquent if not paid in full by December 31, unpaid taxes are returned to the bureau by January 15, and filing fees and interest apply. The page says tax lien certificates may be requested online, in person, or by mail for a fee per parcel and must contain a map/parcel number and/or control number. Online delinquent-tax payment is available through PayLocalGov with a Web ID. Use this as delinquency and certificate context, not certified payoff or title reporting.