Services

What we do

The Register of Wills is an elected position. Our office serves as both the Register of Wills and the Clerk of the Orphans’ Court. As part of our work, we:

Issue marriage licenses and keep marriage records dating back to 1915.
Probate wills, which proves that they're valid.
Issue letters of administration when a Philadelphia resident dies without a will.
Keep records of wills, estate inventories, and related documents.
Act as an agent for filing and paying inheritance taxes.
Maintain the dockets and records of the Orphan's Court.

We can walk you through the probate process, but we cannot provide legal advice. We may recommend that you get an attorney.

Connect

Address	City Hall Room 180 Philadelphia, PA 19107
Email	rowonline@phila.gov
Phone	Phone: (215) 686-2233 Marriage licenses (215) 686-6255 Probate
Social	Facebook Twitter Instagram

See all contact information

Attorney online system

Use this portal to enter the Register of Wills' attorney online system.

Attorney login

Resources

Probate forms

Explore a collection of common probate forms.

Fee schedule

View the fee schedule for services offered by the Register of Wills.

Legal glossary

View a glossary of common legal terms that are used in court proceedings.

Request ROW's attendance at your event

Use this form to request that a ROW representative attend your community event.

See all Resources

Events

Feb

4

Event

Neighborhood Office Hours at NCAC 7, Rivera Rec

9:00 am to 12:00 pm

Rivera Recreation Center, 3201 N 5th St, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA

Event

Neighborhood Office Hours at NCAC 7, Rivera Rec

February 4, 2026
9:00 am to 12:00 pm, 3 hours

Rivera Recreation Center, 3201 N 5th St, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
map

Feb

10

Event

Wills Workshop for State Rep. Chris Rabb

1:00 pm to 3:00 pm

Awbury Arboretum, 1 Awbury Rd, Philadelphia, PA 19138, USA

Event

Wills Workshop for State Rep. Chris Rabb

February 10, 2026
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm, 2 hours

Awbury Arboretum, 1 Awbury Rd, Philadelphia, PA 19138, USA
map

Feb

24

Event

A Will to Preserve Black Legacy Hosted by The Office of Register of Wills John Sabatina and Councilmember At-Large Nicolas O’Rourke

6:30 pm to 8:00 pm

Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, 419 S 6th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147, USA

Event

A Will to Preserve Black Legacy Hosted by The Office of Register of Wills John Sabatina and Councilmember At-Large Nicolas O’Rourke

February 24, 2026
6:30 pm to 8:00 pm, 2 hours

Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, 419 S 6th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147, USA
map

Join us as we bridge Black history, civic education, and practical estate planning by highlighting the enduring legacy of Mother Bethel AME Church and providing accessible resources from the Register of Wills that encourage proactive planning and community trust.

Mar

4

Event

Neighborhood Office Hours at NCAC 7, Rivera Rec

9:00 am to 12:00 pm

Rivera Recreation Center, 3201 N 5th St, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA

Event

Neighborhood Office Hours at NCAC 7, Rivera Rec

March 4, 2026
9:00 am to 12:00 pm, 3 hours

Rivera Recreation Center, 3201 N 5th St, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
map

Mar

7

Event

Let's See If We Can Help

11:00 am to 1:00 pm

Saint Matthew A.M.E. Church, 215 N 57th St, Philadelphia, PA 19139, USA

Event

Let's See If We Can Help

March 7, 2026
11:00 am to 1:00 pm, 2 hours

Saint Matthew A.M.E. Church, 215 N 57th St, Philadelphia, PA 19139, USA
map

Apr

1

Event

Neighborhood Office Hours at NCAC 7, Rivera Rec

9:00 am to 12:00 pm

Rivera Recreation Center, 3201 N 5th St, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA

Event

Neighborhood Office Hours at NCAC 7, Rivera Rec

April 1, 2026
9:00 am to 12:00 pm, 3 hours

Rivera Recreation Center, 3201 N 5th St, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
map

Apr

25

Event

Let's See If We Can Help with National Council of Negro Women

11:00 am to 1:00 pm

Lovett Memorial Library, 6945 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19119, USA

Event

Let's See If We Can Help with National Council of Negro Women

April 25, 2026
11:00 am to 1:00 pm, 2 hours

Lovett Memorial Library, 6945 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19119, USA
map