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Probate Records: How to Find and Read a Case File

Probate records are public in nearly every state. The will, the petitions, and the order appointing the executor all sit in a case file at the probate court in the county where the person lived, and anyone can search it. The work is knowing which courthouse holds it and what the documents inside actually mean.

Settled Estate cover: finding and reading probate court records

By Settled Estate Editorial Team ·

Are probate records public?

Court files are public records, and probate cases are court files. Once a will is offered for probate it stops being a private paper and becomes part of the record. The exceptions run the other way: some states restrict inventories and accountings that list account numbers or values, guardianship matters involving minors are often sealed, and a will that was never filed with any court is not a public record anywhere.

Find the right court

Probate is filed where the person lived at death, so the county is the search unit. The court’s name varies by state: Probate Court, Surrogate’s Court, Register of Wills, Orphans’ Court, or a probate division of the general trial court. Our county court directory lists the probate court for every county in every state we cover, with contact details. If the person owned real estate in a second state, that state may hold a second, smaller case for the property there.

What the file contains

  • The will, if there was one, plus any codicils.
  • The petition that opened the case, naming the person who asked to serve and the heirs they listed.
  • Letters testamentary or letters of administration, the court’s appointment of the executor or administrator. Our letters testamentary guide explains what these authorize.
  • Notices and claims: publication notices to creditors and any claims filed against the estate.
  • Inventories and accountings, where that state files them publicly.
  • The closing order, which ends the case and shows the estate was distributed.

Searching and copies

Many counties run an online case search where a name and an approximate year finds the docket. Where there is no portal, the clerk’s office searches an index by phone or in person. Copies cost a per-page fee, and a certified copy (stamped by the clerk) costs more; banks and title companies usually want the certified version. Old cases may sit in an archive rather than the courthouse, and the clerk will say where.

Why people look

Beneficiaries check whether a case was opened and what the will says. Buyers and title companies trace how a house passed. Family historians read old files for names and dates. And people who suspect they inherited something search the file to see the distributions. If a distribution never reached someone, states hold the money as unclaimed property; our unclaimed money guide covers how to search for it.

If you are opening a case rather than reading one, a short assessment shows which probate process the estate needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are probate records public?
Nearly always, yes. A will offered for probate, the petitions, the letters appointing the executor, and most other filings become public court records. Some courts restrict pieces of the file, like inventories with account numbers or matters involving minors, but the case itself is usually open.
How do I find out if an estate went through probate?
Search the probate court in the county where the person lived when they died. Many courts have an online case search; others take a phone call or an in-person index search. You need the name and roughly the year of death. If real estate sat in another state, that state may hold a second, ancillary case.
How do I get a copy of a will from probate records?
Once a will is filed with the probate court, ask that court’s clerk for a copy of it from the case file. Courts charge per-page copy fees, and certified copies cost more. A will that was never filed is not in any public record.
Can I see what the estate was worth?
Sometimes. Where the court file includes an inventory or accounting, the values are part of the record unless that state restricts them. Some states keep inventories confidential or allow filing them privately, so what is visible varies by state and by year.

Information current as of August 22, 2026

Settled Estate is not a law firm, and this content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Probate laws and procedures in your state can change. Consult with a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation. Full disclaimer.