SMETHPORT — The McKean County Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans’ Court offices will be open to the public by appointment only as of 8 a.m. Wednesday until April 13, or until further notice.
The service of the Register of Wills office will be severely limited.
Mail inheritance tax payments to P.O. Box 202, Smethport, PA 16749 and include a copy of the statement received from the Department of Revenue, the estate file number and the name of the deceased. You or your attorney will receive a return receipt by USPS. All payments received during the closure to the public will be dated March 12, according to the Department of Revenue.
Probate of an Estate will occur only in the event of urgent need and by appointment only. Call the office at 814-887-3260. Staff will obtain the necessary information to determine need before giving an appointment. The complete Petition for Grant of Letters will need to be emailed ROW@mckeancountypa.org in advance. All Travel for oath of personal representatives is suspended until further notice.
All filings with the Clerk of Orphans’ Court that would ordinarily be made in person may be made via U.S. mail at P.O. Box 202, Smethport, PA 16749 or by email at ROW@mckeancountypa.org. Each document filed by email should be transmitted as a .pdf attachment. Original documents and fee payment must be sent to the Clerk of the Orphans’ Court at the aforementioned address.
Certified copies of marriage licenses will be available and requested by U.S. mail only. Include the names of both applicants, date of marriage, number of applications if available, contact number, check or money order for $15 per copy made out to Clerk of the Orphans’ Court along with a self-addressed stamped envelope. Contact the office at 814-887-3260 if you have any questions.
Marriage licenses must be obtained within 60 days of the planned ceremony. Those who have already applied will have licenses mailed to them. The office is asking for applicants to wait until April 13 to apply for a license. In the event of urgent need before then, you must make an appointment to apply for a license. Call 814-887-3260 to arrange for an appointment. Only the applicants can appear. No children or guests will be admitted to the courthouse.
