Bucks County Probate Court Records
Bucks County probate court records date back to 1683, making this one of the oldest probate archives in Pennsylvania. The Register of Wills office in Doylestown maintains all estate filings, will probates, letters testamentary, and Orphans' Court documents. The county offers e-filing for estate documents and maintains an online records portal for public access. Whether you are searching a current estate, researching historical family records, or looking for Orphans' Court dockets, Bucks County's well-developed records system provides several access options for obtaining the documents you need.
Bucks County Quick Facts
Bucks County Register of Wills Office
The Bucks County Register of Wills main office is at the Bucks County Administrative Building, 55 East Court Street, 6th Floor, Doylestown, PA 18901. The phone is 215-348-6265 and the toll-free number is 888-942-8257. The office email is eprobate@buckscounty.org. Register Linda Bobrin, Esq. leads the office, with First Deputy Douglas M. Wayne, Esq. serving in a key support role. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, with walk-ins accepted until 3:30 PM.
A satellite office in Quakertown has limited Thursday hours. The Quakertown location cannot process inheritance tax payments. For inheritance tax matters, transactions must be handled at the Doylestown main office. This distinction is important for executors who need to make tax payments within the three-month discount window.
An estate is probated in the county where the decedent was legally domiciled at the time of death. The death certificate is used to confirm the county of domicile. If it shows a Bucks County address, the estate must be opened at the Bucks County Register of Wills.
The image below links to the Bucks County probate estates administration page, which covers the opening process in detail.
This official county resource explains the steps for opening a Bucks County estate and the documents required at each stage of probate.
Bucks County Probate Court Records E-Filing and Online Search
Bucks County offers e-filing for probate documents through the Bucks County online records portal. This system allows executors and attorneys to file estate documents electronically without traveling to Doylestown. After e-filing, the original documents must still be submitted to the main office. The e-filing step initiates the case while the originals complete the process.
The image below comes from the Bucks County e-filing and online records search page.
This page provides instructions for using the online filing system and links to the public records search portal for Bucks County estates and other filings.
The online portal allows the public to search estate records by party name, case number, and filing date. This is particularly useful for recent estates. For very old records going back to the 1600s and 1700s, contact the office directly or consult the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, which has digitized some of the earliest Bucks County probate materials.
Note: The Quakertown satellite office has limited hours and cannot accept inheritance tax payments, so for complex estate transactions the Doylestown main office is the only option.
Bucks County Orphans' Court and Probate Proceedings
The Bucks County Orphans' Court handles all estate proceedings, guardianship matters, adoption cases, and marriage licenses. The first Orphans' Court case filed in Bucks County was in 1683, the estate of Gilbert Wheeler. This history makes Bucks County's Orphans' Court one of the most storied in the state.
The image below shows the Bucks County Orphans' Court page.
This page provides links to court rules, forms, the mediation program, and procedural guidance for Orphans' Court cases in Bucks County.
Bucks County offers an Orphans' Court Mediation Program. This program provides a faster and less expensive alternative to contested litigation for disputed estate matters. Parties in disagreement over will interpretation, accounting disputes, or distribution questions can seek mediation before escalating to a formal court hearing. Mediation sessions are confidential and presided over by a trained neutral. This option can save significant time and expense compared to full litigation.
Short Certificates and Bucks County Probate Court Records
A short certificate is a document issued by the Register of Wills that certifies the authority of the executor or administrator to act on behalf of the estate. Banks and financial institutions typically require a short certificate before allowing access to estate accounts. Bucks County short certificates become available after the estate is formally opened and letters are granted.
Typically one short certificate is needed per financial institution. Executors managing estates with multiple financial accounts should request enough certificates to cover all institutions at once, since each one carries a fee and requesting them individually adds up. The Register's office can advise on how many are typically needed for a given estate.
Inheritance tax in Bucks County follows Pennsylvania's standard rate structure. The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue provides rate information and forms. A 5% discount on the total tax applies if payment is made within three months of the date of death. The Bucks County Register of Wills collects this tax as agent for the state.
Pennsylvania Probate Law and Bucks County Estates
Bucks County probate proceedings follow Title 20 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, the Probate, Estates and Fiduciaries Code. The full text is on the Pennsylvania Legislature website. Orphans' Court procedural rules are in Pennsylvania Code Title 231.
Standard Orphans' Court forms published by the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts are used in Bucks County alongside any local forms the court requires. Families who want plain-language information about the process can find helpful answers at PA Probate Help.
The Register of Wills Association of Pennsylvania connects the Bucks County register office with all other county offices across the state. This statewide network promotes consistent practices and provides resources for register offices and the public alike.
Nearby Counties
Bucks County borders several southeastern Pennsylvania counties, and residents near those boundaries should check which county holds jurisdiction over an estate based on the decedent's last legal address.