Frances Roland Kovaleski, Register of Wills

The Primary function of the Register of Wills is to probate or legally establish the validity of a decedent’s will. In cases where a will does not exist, the Register of Wills will appoint a Personal Representative based on Pennsylvania Intestacy Laws. The Register of Wills is also an agent for the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, collecting in excess of $14 million dollars of Inheritance Tax revenue annually.

Another chief responsibility of the Register of Wills office is the management, storage and preservation of filings dating as far back as 1878, making this office an excellent resource for genealogical research.

Probates are by Appointment Only!  

Please note that the Orphans’ Court has a no refund policy.

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Records Search for Register of Wills, Orphans’ Court and Marriage Records

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RESOURCES & LINKS

• Lackawanna County Orphans’ Court Rules
• PA Courts Administrative Office Forms (AOPC)
• PA Department of Revenue Forms (Inheritance Tax)
• Inheritance Tax Certificate
• PA General Assembly
• PA Orphans’ Court Rules
• PA State Archives
• PA State Association of Register of Wills / Clerk of Orphans’ Court
• Register of Wills / Clerk of Orphans’ Court Fee Schedule
• PA State Association of Elected Officials

This website is intended to benefit the public and those who frequent the office of the Register of Wills. If you have any questions or suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Frequently Asked Questions

Administrative Contacts

Frances M. Kovaleski Register of Wills Phone: 570-963-6702 Fax: 570-963-6377 E-mail: Contact Me

Tracy Diskin Doherty, Esq Deputy Register of Wills Phone: 570-963-6702 Fax: 570-963-6377 E-mail: Contact Me

Location

Register of Wills / Clerk of Orphans Court
Lackawanna County Government Center
123 Wyoming Avenue, 5th Floor
Scranton, PA 18503

Document Center

The Document Center provides easy access to public documents. Click on one of the categories below to see related documents or use the search function.

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Forms31 documents

• Affidavit of Death
  document Header Affidavit of Death
• Affidavit of Domicile
  document Header Affidavit of Domicile
• Application and Instructions for Employer Identification EIN Number Form SS-4
  document Header Application and Instructions for Employer Identification EIN Number Form SS-4
• Application for Birth Records
  document Header Application for Birth Records
• Application for Death Records
  document Header Application for Death Records
• Application for Genealogy Search: Wills/Estates
  document Header Application for Genealogy Search: Wills/Estates
• Caveat
  document Header Caveat
• Caveat / Bond of Caveat
  document Header Caveat / Bond of Caveat
• Citation
  document Header Citation
• Estate Information Sheet
  document Header Estate Information Sheet
• Estate Inventory
  document Header Estate Inventory
• Family Exemptions
  document Header Family Exemptions
• Fee Schedule
  document Header Fee Schedule
• FEMA POLICY: COVID-19 Funeral Assistance
  document Header FEMA POLICY: COVID-19 Funeral Assistance
• Notice of Intention to Appeal from Register
  document Header Notice of Intention to Appeal from Register
• Oath of Non-Subscribing Witness
  document Header Oath of Non-Subscribing Witness
• Oath of Personal Representative
  document Header Oath of Personal Representative
• Oath of Subscribing Witness
  document Header Oath of Subscribing Witness
• Oath of Witness to Will Executed by MARK
  document Header Oath of Witness to Will Executed by MARK
• Out-of-State Commission Checklist
  document Header Out-of-State Commission Checklist
• PA 20 CS Payments to Family/Funeral Directors/Settlement of Small Estates Not Exceeding $50,000
  document Header PA 20 CS Payments to Family/Funeral Directors/Settlement of Small Estates Not Exceeding $50,000
• PA O.C. Certification of Notice under Rule 10.5
  document Header PA O.C. Certification of Notice under Rule 10.5
• PA O.C. Rule 10.5 Notice of Estate Administration
  document Header PA O.C. Rule 10.5 Notice of Estate Administration
• PA O.C. Rule 10.6 Status Report
  document Header PA O.C. Rule 10.6 Status Report
• Petition for Probate, Grant of Letters
  document Header Petition for Probate, Grant of Letters
• Pro-Se Affidavit
  document Header Pro-Se Affidavit
• Probate Packet
  document Header Probate Packet
• Renunciation
  document Header Renunciation
• Tracing Family History in Lackawanna County
  document Header Tracing Family History in Lackawanna County
• Unavailable Witness Affidavit
  document Header Unavailable Witness Affidavit
• Waiver of Fiduciary Bond
  document Header Waiver of Fiduciary Bond