The Registers of Wills and Clerks of Orphans' Court Association was formed in 1927. The object of this Association is to bring into closer association and cooperation the various members of the 67 counties in Pennsylvania.  The purpose is to promote greater efficiency in the administration of their offices and to work together on legislation for the general benefit and welfare of their offices and the citizens of our Commonwealth.

Registers of Wills have jurisdiction over the probate of wills and the granting of letters, thus giving them quasi-judicial powers. The Register of Wills is also the Commonwealth’s agent for the collection of state inheritance tax.

Clerks of Orphans’ Court handle all proceedings relating to estates of incapacitated persons, adoptions, and marriage licenses.