Cambria County Probate Court Records

Cambria County probate court records are maintained by the combined Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' Court office located in Ebensburg. These records cover wills, estate administrations, guardianships, and related filings going back to the early 1800s. Researchers, heirs, and legal professionals can search the office's holdings in person or contact staff for guidance. The office also holds marriage records dating to 1885 and birth and death records from 1893 to 1905, making it a useful stop for family history work alongside estate research.

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About the Cambria County Register of Wills

The Cambria County Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' Court operates as a combined office. It sits inside the Cambria County Courthouse at 200 South Center Street, Ebensburg, PA 15931. The office is open Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 4 PM. Cindy Perrone serves as Register, with Melissa M. Marinin as First Deputy.

This office handles probate filings, estate administration, and related court functions under one roof. Having the Register and Clerk roles combined means that both the probate process and Orphans' Court supervision of estates are managed in the same location. This can simplify tasks for attorneys and family members working through an estate.

The office also serves as a civil registration point. Marriage licenses have been issued here since 1885. Birth and death records from 1893 to 1905 are also on file. These vital records are often sought alongside probate materials when researching family history in Cambria County.

Note: Wills are not filed with this office until after a person passes away, and only if an estate is formally opened.

Cambria County Probate Records Available

Probate records in Cambria County date to the early 1800s. These documents include last wills and testaments, letters testamentary, letters of administration, inventories, and accounts of estates. Anyone researching an ancestor or settling a current estate can request access to these materials through the office.

The office also maintains records related to guardianships and other Orphans' Court matters. These can be relevant when researching the care of minors or individuals deemed incapacitated in past generations. Such records sometimes contain detailed family information not found elsewhere.

The following types of documents are commonly found among Cambria County probate holdings:

Last wills and testaments
Letters testamentary and letters of administration
Estate inventories and appraisements
Accounts filed by executors and administrators
Guardianship records
Short certificates issued to fiduciaries

Marriage records on file from 1885 to present round out the civil records holdings. Certified copies of marriages cost $5.00. Genealogy research requests carry a $5.00 fee covering up to five names searched.

Searching Cambria County Estate Records in Person

Visiting the Ebensburg courthouse is the primary way to search Cambria County estate records in detail. Staff can assist with locating specific estate files by name or approximate date. Bringing as much identifying information as possible -- full name, approximate year of death, and any known relatives -- will help staff find the correct file quickly.

The courthouse is accessible during regular business hours, Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 4 PM. The office is located at 200 South Center Street in Ebensburg. Parking is available near the courthouse square in this small county seat town.

For genealogy research requests, the office charges a $5.00 fee to search up to five names. This is a cost-effective option for researchers who want staff to conduct the initial search on their behalf. Additional searches or copies may carry separate fees.

Note: Marriage licenses are issued Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 3:30 PM only, with a fee of $60.00 paid in cash.

Cambria County Probate Court and Orphans' Court Functions

The Orphans' Court division in Cambria County handles matters that go beyond simple probate of a will. This includes supervision of estate administration, adjudication of accounts filed by executors, guardianship proceedings, and adoption petitions. When disputes arise over an estate, parties may appear before the Orphans' Court judge for resolution.

The court's jurisdiction covers both testate estates (those with a valid will) and intestate estates (those without a will). In intestate cases, the Register grants letters of administration to an eligible heir or other qualified person who then manages the estate under court oversight.

Cambria County is part of the Pennsylvania unified court system. The UJS Portal maintained by the Pennsylvania court system may provide case docket information for more recent Orphans' Court proceedings. Older estate files are held exclusively at the local office in Ebensburg.

Cambria County Vital Records and Genealogy Research

Genealogists researching Cambria County families will find the Register of Wills office valuable beyond just probate records. Birth and death records from 1893 through 1905 are housed here. These were recorded before Pennsylvania established its statewide vital statistics system. They can provide birth dates, parentage, and cause of death for ancestors from that period.

Marriage records dating from 1885 to the present are also available. Certified copies cost $5.00 each. The combination of marriage, birth, death, and probate records in one location makes Ebensburg a productive research destination for those tracing Cambria County families.

The Pennsylvania State Archives holds additional historical records that complement local holdings. Researchers may want to check both sources when building a complete picture of a family line.

The office also connects researchers to the Registers of Wills Association of Pennsylvania, which provides guidance on accessing probate records across all 67 counties.

Cambria County Probate Records and Inheritance Tax

The Register of Wills office in Cambria County acts as an agent for the collection of Pennsylvania inheritance tax. When an estate is opened, the office receives the inheritance tax return and forwards the payment to the state. This is a standard function shared by all Register of Wills offices across Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania imposes an inheritance tax on most estates. The rate varies depending on the relationship between the deceased and the beneficiary. Direct descendants pay a lower rate than more distant relatives or unrelated heirs. The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue provides full details on current rates and exemptions.

Understanding the inheritance tax process is important for anyone administering a Cambria County estate. The Register's office can direct executors and administrators to the correct forms and procedures for filing the tax return as part of the overall probate process.

The image below shows the Cambria County Register of Wills office page, which provides contact information and filing guidance for local probate matters.