Clerk of Orphans' Court
The Clerk of the Orphans’ Court administers over proceedings relative to adoptions, estates of incapacitated persons and marriage licenses. It also oversees the care and preservation of the old birth and death records dating from 1893 to 1905. Copies of birth and death records can be obtained in person or through the mail. The cost is $2.00 for a regular copy or $5.00 for a certified copy. We need to know the name of the person, approximate date or year of the birth or death, location of the birth or death and the parents’ names, if possible.
- State Orphans Court Rules
- Increase in Fees Court Appointed Guardians of Medicaid Recipient Incapacitated Persons
Important Disclaimers
All filing fees (with the exception of marriage license application fees) can be paid by cash, check or credit card.
- Credit card: Mastercard, VISA and Discover are accepted. An additional service fee will be added, which is 2.5% or $2.00, whichever is greater.
- Check: Made payable to “Orphans’ Court Clerk”. Returned check fee is $35.00.
Marriage License Application Fees will be accepted in the form of cash or credit card only.
All filing fees must be the exact amount – we do not give refunds. Any overages of $5.00 or less will be retained as a convenience fee. If your overage is greater than $5.00, the document(s) will be rejected.
Self-addressed stamped envelopes (SASE) are required for the return of stamped copies and/or filing receipts. If the return of a stamped copy or filing receipt is requested and a SASE is not provided, a postage fee in the amount of $1.00 will be added for every 5 pages or fraction thereof.
For this office to print copies of any document, the charge is $0.50 per page. For us to stamp-certify a copy, add $1.50.
Where no fee is specified, the fee shall be set by the Clerk of the Orphans’ Court.
For a fee calculation prior to submitting document(s) for filing, please contact our office by filling out the form to request a fee calculation.
The above fees are pursuant to the authority granted to the President Judge through Act 18 of 1994 of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, as well as the provisions of Act 40 of 2017 and Act 22 of 2023. Approved by President Judge Jason J. Legg on October 15, 2025 effective January 1, 2026. The JCS portion of filing fees increased effective November 17, 2025 pursuant to Act 45 of 2025.
Contact Information
Clerk of Orphans' Court
County Courthouse
31 Lake Avenue (PO Box 218)
Montrose, PA 18801
Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m
Telephone: (570) 278-4600 EXT 4067
Fax: (570) 278-2963
Wendy Zapolski