About The Register Of Wills/Clerk Of Orphans' Court

The Register of Wills and Clerk of the Orphan's Court is an elected official who serves as a dual officeholder and whose primary function is to determine whether the document offered for probate should be received as the last will of the decedent. When disputes arise at the time of probate, the Register, as a quasi-judicial officer, is empowered to hold hearings, take testimony, review evidence and render decisions on how the administration of the estate shall proceed.

Responsibilities as Clerk of Orphan's Court include maintaining the docket and files for adoptions, guardianships and other issues which may come before the Orphans' Court Judge, as well as taking applications for, and issuing, marriage licenses.

Finally, the Register of Wills is a mandated keeper of all records filed here, and since those records must be kept forever, the office is a great resource for genealogical information.

Disclaimer:

Clerks in the Register of Wills and the Orphans' Court office are NOT permitted to give legal advice or complete estate documents on behalf of a personal representative.  If advice is needed, only Pennsylvania licensed attorneys are permitted to represent persons before the Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' Court.  The number for the Berks County Bar Association's Lawyer Referral Service is 610-375-4591.