Find Armstrong County Probate Court Records
Armstrong County probate court records are kept by the Register and Recorder office in Kittanning, Pennsylvania. The county was formed on March 12, 1800, from portions of Allegheny, Westmoreland, and Lycoming Counties. Probate records in Armstrong County date back to 1805. The Register and Recorder office combines three functions: it serves as Recorder of Deeds, Register of Wills, and Clerk of the Orphans' Court. This combined setup means that wills, estate files, and related court documents are all managed from one location, which simplifies the search process for most requestors.
Armstrong County Quick Facts
Armstrong County Register and Recorder Office
The Armstrong County Register and Recorder office is located at the Armstrong County Courthouse, 500 E. Market Street, Suite 102, Kittanning, PA 16201. The phone number is (724) 548-3220 and the fax is (724) 548-3236. The Register is Lori Hirst. The First Deputy is Johnna Deyarmin, and the office Solicitor is James A. Favero.
Appointments are required for marriages and for opening or closing estates. Walk-in visitors may experience delays. The office accepts payment in cash or by check only. Debit and credit cards are not accepted. This is an important detail to know before visiting in person, as coming unprepared can delay your transaction.
E-Recording of land documents is accepted through four approved vendors: Simplifile, CSC Recording, ePN, and Indecomm. Electronic recording does not apply to will probates or estate petitions, which must be handled in person or by mail with original documents.
The image below comes from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission research portal, which provides online access to some early Pennsylvania probate and vital records.
This resource is useful for locating older Armstrong County probate records that have been digitized or indexed at the state level.
Armstrong County Probate Records: What Is Available
Armstrong County probate court records on microfilm cover 1805 through 1947. Computer-based records run from 1947 to the present. The transition to digital record-keeping around mid-century means that most modern estate searches can be done electronically, while older files require either a microfilm viewer or staff assistance to locate.
Probate records include wills, letters testamentary, letters of administration, estate inventories, accounts, and Orphans' Court dockets. Death records are available for the period 1893 to 1905, consistent with Pennsylvania's early vital records collection period. These death records can help researchers confirm a date of death before looking for the corresponding probate file.
The Armstrong County office also handles birth and death records from the 1893 to 1905 window. Marriage records from that era are in the same office. Land records maintained by the Recorder of Deeds function go back to the county's founding and are often cross-referenced with estate records when real property is involved in a probate.
Note: Because the office requires appointments for estate matters, calling ahead at (724) 548-3220 before visiting will save time and ensure staff is available to assist with your records request.
Probate Court Records and Inheritance Tax in Armstrong County
Pennsylvania inheritance tax must be paid through the Register of Wills office. Armstrong County's Register acts as the agent for the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue. Tax payments are made by check payable to "Register of Wills, Agent." The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue sets the rates that apply to all estates in the state, including those in Armstrong County.
A 5% discount on the total inheritance tax is available if the full amount is paid within three months of the decedent's date of death. This discount can result in meaningful savings for larger estates, so executors and administrators should calculate the tax early and pay promptly if possible.
Inheritance tax rates vary by relationship. Transfers to spouses and charities are exempt. Lineal heirs such as children and grandchildren pay 4.5%. Siblings pay 12%. All other beneficiaries pay 15%. These rates apply uniformly across Pennsylvania, including in Armstrong County. More detailed guidance is on the Department of Revenue website.
Accessing Armstrong County Probate Court Records Online
Online search options for Armstrong County probate records are more limited than in larger counties. The county's computer-based records cover estates opened from 1947 forward, but a dedicated public search portal is not prominently featured. The Unified Judicial System Portal may return some Armstrong County Orphans' Court docket entries. Researchers should also check the statewide resource at the Register of Wills Association of Pennsylvania for guidance on locating county-level probate records across the state.
For records not available online, written requests may be submitted to the Kittanning office. Include the decedent's full name, approximate date of death, and the type of record sought. The office will respond with available records and applicable copy fees.
The image below links to the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Portal, a statewide access point for court dockets across all counties including Armstrong.
This portal can be used to search for Orphans' Court docket entries and case status information for Armstrong County probate proceedings.
Note: Armstrong County's combined Register-Recorder office also maintains deed and mortgage records that may intersect with estate matters when real property must be transferred or sold during probate.
Pennsylvania Probate Law and Armstrong County Filings
All probate proceedings in Armstrong County follow Pennsylvania's Probate, Estates and Fiduciaries Code found in Title 20 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes. The full code is accessible through the Pennsylvania Legislature website. This code covers how wills must be signed and witnessed, how estates are opened and administered, and what rights creditors and beneficiaries hold.
The Pennsylvania Code Title 231 sets out Orphans' Court procedural rules. These rules apply in Armstrong County just as they do in all other Pennsylvania counties. Standard Orphans' Court forms published by the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts are available for common filings.
Families looking for plain-language guidance on Pennsylvania probate can visit PA Probate Help. This resource covers the basics of wills, intestate succession, and what to expect during the probate process in any Pennsylvania county.
Nearby Counties
Armstrong County sits in western Pennsylvania and borders several counties whose probate records may be relevant when a decedent lived near a county line.