Row Officers

Register of Wills

Barbara G. Reilly
Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' Court

The principal duties of the Register of Wills, who also acts as Clerk of the Orphans' Court Division, is to probate wills and to accept for filing all documents necessary to complete the administration of a decedent's estate. The Register of Wills is a judicial position and, if necessary, conducts hearings in a court room to determine the validity of the will and questions about forgery, mental capacity and undue influence. The results of these hearings are subject to the right of appeal to the Orphans' Court Division of the Court of Common Pleas. If a person dies without a will, the Register appoints an administrator for the estate when petitioned to do so.

Also the Register is in charge of issuing all marriage licenses and maintaining files for incompetents' proceedings, adoptions and civil commitments. The Register is the agent for collection of the Commonwealth's inheritance tax.

Probate Estates & Administrations

Requirements:

• Original Will
  • Death Certificate
  • Personal Representatives, whether an executor or administrator must appear in person with identification
  • Witness Affidavit and Renunciation, when necessary
  • Fees

  Genealogical and/or Estate Search

  • Advance payment of $25.00 per estate plus $1.00/page for copy costs - payment must accompany request

    Marriage License

    Applicants must apply in person and present:

    • Driver’s license or passport
    • Divorce decree or death certificate (if previously married)
    • Social Security number
    • $60 cash or money order (plus $20 for certified copy)

    The license is issued three days after application, and is valid only in Pennsylvania for 60 day.

    Click here for more information on marriage licenses

    Audits

    Requirement:

    • Must be filed no later than the 5th Wednesday before the Audit date.  NOTE: If Wednesday falls on a holiday, filing may take place on the next day - Thursday.

      Filings Requiring Court Action

      • Petitions for guardians, incapacitated persons and minors
      • Minor’s Compromises
      • Petition for Settlement of Small Estates

      Filings Requiring No Court Action

      • Family Settlement Agreements
      • Claims
      • Disclaimers

      Adoptions

      Contact Sr. Clerk Orphans' Court for information concerning schedules and fees.

      Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
                  1st & 3rd Wednesday every month - 8:00 am to 7:30 pm

      Birth and Death Records (1907-Present)
      
      Division of Vital Records
      101 S. Mercer Street, Room 401
      New Castle, PA 16101
      (724)656-3100
      www.health.state.pa.us/vitalrecords/

       

      Register of Wills & Orphans' Court
      Barbara G. Reilly
      Bucks County Courthouse
      55 East Court Street
      3rd Floor, Administration Building
      Doylestown, PA 18901
      Register of Wills: 215-348-6265
      Orphans' Court: 215-348-6271
      Fax : 215-348-6156
      registerofwills@co.bucks.pa.us
      orphanscourt@co.bucks.pa.us