The Register of Wills is an elected official who serves York County residents and has jurisdiction of the probate of wills and the grant of letters to a personal representative.
Letters Testamentary (with a will) or Letters of Administration (no will) are granted to properly qualified individuals who meet the requirements of the Probate, Estates and Fiduciaries Code. When disputes arise at the time of probate, the Register, as a quasi-judicial officer, is empowered to hold a hearing, take testimony, review evidence and render a decision on the issue presented.
The Register of Wills is agent for the collection of Inheritance Tax for the Commonwealth of PA, Department of Revenue, Inheritance Tax Division. In the calendar year 2021, Inheritance Tax collections totaled nearly $45 million.
Since 2000, the Register of Wills remitted nearly $500 million to the PA Department of Revenue Inheritance Tax Division from York County Estates.
The office of the Register of Wills is open for the transaction of business (i.e. Probates and Filings) on weekdays from 8 am until 4:15 pm.
Attention: No cell phones, pagers, weapons, or cameras are permitted in the York County Judicial Center. View a full list of prohibited items.