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 Philadelphia 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.
Philadelphia County Register of Wills and Orphans' Court Guide
Philadelphia 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. Philadelphia County probate is graduated on the estate value, and the total probate fee (which bundles the base fee, family-court tax, filing fees, inventory, inheritance tax, and the state Judicial Computer Project fee) runs from about $174 (estates up to $250) to $370 ($10,001 to $50,000), $475 ($50,001 to $200,000), $685 ($300,001 to $400,000), and $1,315 for the first $1,000,000, plus about $90 for each additional $100,000. A short certificate is $10. Confirm current amounts on the county fee schedule. Source: Philadelphia Register of Wills probate and estate services fee schedule.
Philadelphia County probate is graduated on the estate value, and the total probate fee (which bundles the base fee, family-court tax, filing fees, inventory, inheritance tax, and the state Judicial Computer Project fee) runs from about $174 (estates up to $250) to $370 ($10,001 to $50,000), $475 ($50,001 to $200,000), $685 ($300,001 to $400,000), and $1,315 for the first $1,000,000, plus about $90 for each additional $100,000. A short certificate is $10. Confirm current amounts on the county fee schedule. Source: Philadelphia Register of Wills probate and estate services fee schedule.
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 ↗Philadelphia Department of Revenue
Use Philadelphia Tax Services to look up city tax balances and payment context; verify estate-specific transfer issues separately.
Sources (8)
- https://www.phila.gov/departments/register-of-wills/
- https://www.phila.gov/services/birth-marriage-life-events/death-probate-and-inheritances/begin-the-probate-process-with-a-will/
- https://www.phila.gov/services/birth-marriage-life-events/death-probate-and-inheritances/begin-the-probate-process-without-a-will/
- https://www.phila.gov/services/birth-marriage-life-events/death-probate-and-inheritances/request-probate-records/
- https://www.phila.gov/departments/register-of-wills/resources/
- https://secureprod.phila.gov/row/
- https://www.courts.phila.gov/common-pleas/orphans/
- https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/CT/HTM/20/00.031.002.000..HTM