Lancaster County Probate Court Records
Lancaster County probate court records extend back to 1730, making this one of the oldest and most extensive courthouse collections in Pennsylvania. The Register of Wills office in Lancaster handles all current estate filings while the Lancaster County Archives preserves the historical record series. Wills, intestate records, Orphans' Court dockets, estate files, inventory records, and accounts spanning nearly three centuries are part of this collection. Researchers tracing colonial and early American family lines, as well as those working on current estates, will find Lancaster County an exceptionally rich source of probate documentation.
Lancaster County Quick Facts
Lancaster County Probate Records Back to 1730
Lancaster County was formed in 1729, and the earliest wills in the Archives collection date to 1730. This makes Lancaster County one of the few counties in Pennsylvania where colonial-era probate records survive in an organized, accessible form. Intestate records begin in 1753. Orphans' Court records extend from 1742 through 1928 in the Archives collection. These older materials are housed at the Lancaster County Archives, 150 North Queen Street, Lancaster, PA 17603.
Estate files at the Archives begin in 1902. Inventory records span 1861 through 1962. Account records run from 1850 through 1962. Together these series provide a detailed picture of estate administration in Lancaster County across more than a century of continuous documentation. The Archives can be reached by phone at 717.299.8319 or by email at archives@lancastercountypa.gov.
Current estate filings are handled by the Register of Wills office located on the second floor of the new courthouse at 50 North Duke Street, Lancaster, PA 17602. Chief Deputy Emily A. Carello and Probate Clerk Brenda Huber lead the day-to-day operations of the office. The Lancaster County Register of Wills page provides updated contact information, fee schedules, and filing guidance for current estate matters.
How to Search Lancaster County Probate Court Records
Searching Lancaster County probate records requires knowing whether your target documents fall within the Archives collection or the active Register of Wills files. Records before 1902 and the series ending in the early 20th century are held at the Archives on North Queen Street. More recent estate files are at the Register of Wills on North Duke Street.
The image below comes from the Lancaster County Register of Wills page, which serves as the primary access point for current estate filings and probate matters in the county.
This office manages all active estate filings for Lancaster County and issues letters testamentary, letters of administration, and short certificates for current probate matters.
When visiting the Register of Wills office on the second floor of the new courthouse, note that cell phones and smart watches must be placed in lockers in the building lobby before entering the office area. Plan ahead by leaving devices in your vehicle or confirming locker availability. Bring the decedent's full legal name, approximate date of death, and any identifying information that may help staff locate the correct file.
Note: For estate matters requiring access to both the Archives and the Register of Wills, plan two separate visits to two different addresses in Lancaster; both are in the downtown area but are not in the same building.
Lancaster County Orphans' Court Records and Administration
Orphans' Court records in Lancaster County go back to 1742 within the Archives collection. These early records document the full scope of 18th century estate administration and guardianship proceedings in one of Pennsylvania's most heavily settled colonial counties. The 1742 start date predates the American Revolution by more than three decades, making these records an exceptional resource for colonial-era research.
Current Orphans' Court matters in Lancaster County are handled through the Register of Wills office at 50 North Duke Street. These proceedings include formal accountings, guardianship appointments, will contests, and adoption matters. The Register, serving as Clerk of Orphans' Court, maintains the docket and files all court papers. Short certificates issued after probate confirm the personal representative's authority to act on behalf of the estate.
Adoption records and guardianship files are part of the Orphans' Court record series and are maintained separately from estate files. Access to certain records may be restricted depending on the nature of the proceeding and the passage of time. Contact the Register of Wills office directly to confirm current access policies for specific record types.
Lancaster County Probate Fees and Current Filing Information
Lancaster County has recently updated its fee schedule. Effective January 1, 2026, the marriage license fee is $75.00 and certified copy fees are $20.00 per document. The Judicial Computer Project fee increased from $40.25 to $41.25 effective December 1, 2025. These updates reflect statewide adjustments to court fees approved by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
Personal representatives managing a Lancaster County estate should confirm all current filing fees with the office before submitting documents. The fee schedule is available on the county website and is updated when changes take effect. Payments are accepted during regular business hours at the North Duke Street courthouse location.
Lancaster County Archives and Historical Probate Documents
The Lancaster County Archives at 150 North Queen Street holds a remarkable depth of historical probate material. Wills begin in 1730. Intestate records begin in 1753 and document how estates were handled when residents died without leaving a will. Orphans' Court records from 1742 through 1928 capture more than a century and a half of formal estate and guardianship proceedings.
Inventory records from 1861 through 1962 are a particularly detailed source for genealogical and social history research. These documents list every item of personal property with its appraised value at the time of death. They reveal occupations, social status, reading habits, religious objects, and the material culture of Lancaster County households across a century of significant economic change. Account records from 1850 through 1962 show how assets were collected and distributed by executors and administrators.
The Pennsylvania State Archives provides additional resources for researchers working on Lancaster County colonial and early American records. Some early Lancaster County documents have been microfilmed and are accessible through the State Archives research portal. The Archives staff at 150 North Queen Street can provide guidance on what is available locally versus what is held at the state level.
Note: When researching colonial Lancaster County wills from the 1730s to 1760s, spelling of surnames varied widely; searching by phonetic variant and by first name alone may be necessary to locate all relevant estate records.
Lancaster County Probate Resources and State Tools
The Pennsylvania Orphans' Court forms page provides standardized forms for all estate and guardianship filings in Lancaster County. These forms are used at the Register of Wills office on North Duke Street for current estate matters. The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System portal offers online access to court case records statewide and supplements local research. For inheritance tax guidance, the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue provides current forms and rate information.
Nearby Counties
Lancaster County borders several south-central Pennsylvania counties, each with its own probate court records office.