Allegheny County Probate Records

Allegheny County probate records are legal materials filed in or created by the court to document its activities and decisions during probate proceedings. A probate proceeding is a legal process that supervises the distribution of estates of deceased persons who lived or died in Allegheny County to beneficiaries named in their will or decided by the court. Beneficiaries may include creditors, tax agencies, creditors, spouses, children, friends, and family members.

The Wills/Orphans Court Department of the Allegheny Common Pleas Court presides over probate cases, while the county’s court records department maintains all resulting records. Records are maintained in various formats, mainly electronic and paper. Probate records comprise various types of documents, including letters of administration, wills, estate inventories, petitions, bonds, and court orders.

The preservation of probate documents, like Allegheny County court records, is in accordance with state and federal laws. County residents use these records for inheritance verification, estate dispute resolution, property ownership verification, genealogy research, and historical research, among other purposes.

Are Probate Records Public?

Yes. Under the Pennsylvania Right-to-know Law, court records are classified as public records. In accordance with this law, Allegheny County probate records are subject to inspection and duplication by interested members of the public unless otherwise provided by another state or federal law.

For instance, Section 708, 2008 Act 3 provides for the exemption of certain records from public disclosure, specifically for privacy and security reasons. Examples of non-public probate records include:

• Materials with information about an individual’s psychiatric, medical, or psychological history
• A person’s cause of death
• Sensitive personal information, such as driver’s license number and social security number, that may aid identity theft
• Financial records of a deceased person
• DNA records
• Adoption records
• Disability status.

What is Probate Court in Allegheny County?

In Allegheny County, like other counties in the State of Pennsylvania, probate matters fall within the jurisdiction of the county’s Court of Common Pleas. The Orphans’ Court Department of this court handles matters involving trusts, wills, guardianships, conservatorships, estates, will execution, civil commitments, estate tax, parental rights termination, adoptions, and marriage licenses that are filed in the county. Probate fees, including those for filing and record requests, are available online. Interested persons may contact the court at

1700 Frick Building
437 Grant Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Phone: (412) 350-5550
Fax: (412) 350-1925

Probate Court Case Lookup

Allegheny County court case records are maintained by the county’s Department of Court Records. The Wills/Orphans’ Court Division of this department handles probate court case records and assists members of the public with lookups. Inquirers may view records online or submit requests by mail to the agency. The request must identify the records of interest to a reasonable degree of certainty to aid retrieval. Information required for a record search or request may include party name, case number, filing date, and/or citation number. Requests should be directed to:

Director, Department of Court Records
Wills/Orphans’ Court Division
City-County Building
414 Grant Street
First Floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Phone: (412) 350-4180
Fax: (412) 350-3028
Email: wo@alleghenycounty.us

How to Find Probate Records Online Free

The Allegheny County Department of Court Records Wills/Orphans’ Court Division website can be used for free case record searches. Due to security reasons and the sensitive nature of most probate cases, users are required to register on the website and login before performing a search. Information required for registration are a user’s first and last name, email, user ID, and password. Primary search criteria are case ID and party name.

For a statewide case search, researchers may use the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania Web Portal. This resource offers a wider range of search parameters, including docket number, citation number, attorney information, date filed, and complaint number. To narrow down the search, users may specify the county of interest in the appropriate field.

Third-party aggregate databases, although unofficial, can also be used to search for records. They are typically searchable by case party or case number. Note that free users are restricted to limited case information. A fee is usually required for the complete functionality of the site and detailed record report. For official record copies, visit the court record department during business hours and be prepared to pay for copies.

How Long Does Probate Take in Pennsylvania?

While there is no specific timeline for probate proceedings in Pennsylvania, these cases typically take between six to 12 months. Depending on the nature of a case, they may last longer. General factors that influence the duration of probate in Pennsylvania include the tax issues, the complexity and size of the estate, court schedule, and will disputes.

Are Wills Public Record?

Only probated wills are public. In other words, wills only become public when they are filed for probate at the Wills/Orphans’ Court. Otherwise, they remain sealed pending the testator’s death. Prior to a will becoming public record, they can only be accessed by the testator (if alive) and their appointed representative.

How to Find Out If Someone Has a Will

Members of the public can learn about the existence of a will after the death of its testator, more so if the will has been filed for probate. To find a will filed in Allegheny County, complete a will search form and submit it to the county’s Department of Court Records. A non-refundable $10.00 fee applies for this service (payable by money order). The requester is required to possess the decedent’s name and date of death, as this will be required on the form. Individuals with a personal interest in the decedent’s estate have the extra option of inquiring from the decedent’s attorney or estate administrator.

Allegheny County Family Court Case Search

Family cases are heard at the Family Division of the Common Pleas Court. Cases heard include divorce, paternity disputes, domestic abuse, dependency, and juvenile delinquency. The Allegheny County Department of Court Records Civil/Family Division preserves case records for family-related proceedings. Online record searches can be performed on their website using case IDs. If the case ID is unknown, visit the department’s office with sufficient information about the case, including party names and filing dates.