Register of Wills  

he Register of Wills and Clerk of the Orphans' Court Office provides a variety of services to the public, such as:

  • Probate of decedent estates
  • Collection of inheritance taxes
  • Issuance of marriage licenses
  • Maintenance of records pertaining to adoptions, guardianship, and estates

We are located on the second floor of the new courthouse. 
 If you bring a cell phone into the courthouse you will be required to place it in a locker in the lobby if one is available.

Our office and the Lancaster County Courthouse will be closed on Friday,  April 7, 2023. and  will reopen on Monday,  April 10,   2023 at 8:30 a.m.

We accept Petitions for Grant of Letters for filing in our office in person.  By special exception only, we will follow the procedure for videoconferences. Click here for instructions.


Inheritance tax returns and payments may be filed at the counter.  We use the postmark on mailed envelopes for the filing date of inheritance tax payments.


Divisions


Chief Deputy: Emily A. Carello
Email: CarelloE@co.lancaster.pa.us
Phone: 717-295-5907

  • Probates and Estates

Email:  acooper@co.lancaster.pa.us
Phone: 717-299-8242 or 299-8243
Fax:     717-295-5914

  • Adoptions & Guardianship

Saskia Sayeg
Deputy Clerk of the Orphans’ Court
E-mail; SaSayeg@co.lancaster.pa.us

717-295-2001

  • Inheritance Tax Division

Helen McKinney
Inheritance Tax Clerk
Email: HMcKinney@co.lancaster.pa.us

phone:  717-299-8246

  • MARRIAGE HOTLINE

Marriage Clerk
717-295-3533