Pennsylvania Probate Forms: The Complete List You'll Actually Need

The most frustrating discovery most new executors make is that the forms are free, but the instructions are not. Pennsylvania's Register of Wills offices are legally prohibited from providing legal advice or explaining which forms to file and when. The result is a system where the paperwork is publicly available but the procedural knowledge to use it correctly sits behind attorney fees.

This guide explains the key forms used in Pennsylvania probate, what each one does, and when it must be filed.

How Pennsylvania's Form System Works

Pennsylvania uses standardized statewide forms for all matters before the Register of Wills and the Orphans' Court, issued through the Unified Judicial System (UJS). Using old or county-specific forms — or generic internet templates — will result in immediate rejection. The Register of Wills will not process a filing made on incorrect forms.

The forms divide into two categories: Register of Wills forms (prefixed RW-) for administrative estate matters, and Orphans' Court forms (prefixed OC-) for contested or judicially supervised matters. The Pennsylvania Inheritance Tax Return (REV-1500) comes from the Department of Revenue and is filed separately from the court forms.

Register of Wills Forms

RW-02 — Petition for Grant of Letters

This is the document that formally opens the estate. Filing Form RW-02 with the county Register of Wills is the official first step in Pennsylvania probate. The form asks for:

• The decedent's name, last address, and date of death
• Whether there is a will (and its date)
• The identity and relationship of the proposed executor or administrator
• The estimated gross value of probate assets

Filing fees are calculated on a sliding scale based on the estimated gross estate value and vary by county. Philadelphia County, for example, charges $225 for estates valued at $50,000–$200,000, plus mandatory surcharges that bring the total to approximately $430. Montgomery County and other counties have different schedules.

RW-03 — Oath of Subscribing Witness

If the decedent's will is not "self-proved" — meaning it lacks a notarized affidavit signed at the time of execution — the proposed executor must locate the original witnesses and have them execute Form RW-03 before the Register. This verifies the authenticity of the will.

RW-04 — Oath of Non-Subscribing Witness

If the original witnesses are deceased or cannot be located, two people familiar with the decedent's handwriting sign Form RW-04 to authenticate the will indirectly.

RW-06 — Renunciation

When multiple people have equal or superior priority to serve as administrator (in an intestate estate), those who choose not to serve must formally yield their right by signing Form RW-06. Without these renunciations, the Register will refuse to issue Letters of Administration. For example, if the decedent had three adult children and one is willing to serve as administrator, the other two must each sign a notarized Renunciation.

RW-07 — Notice of Estate Administration

Within three months of receiving Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration, the executor must send formal written notice of the estate's opening to all named beneficiaries, intestate heirs, and the Pennsylvania Attorney General if charitable interests are involved. Form RW-07 is the standard notice form used for this purpose. It informs recipients that the estate has been opened and that they may have a beneficial interest.

RW-08 — Certification of Notice (Rule 10.5)

After sending the RW-07 notices, the executor files Form RW-08 with the Register of Wills to certify under oath that all required notifications have been completed. This certification is required under Pennsylvania Orphans' Court Rule 10.5. Some counties (Bucks County, for example) require this form to be filed electronically.

RW-09 — Estate Inventory

Form RW-09 is the formal estate inventory filed with the Register of Wills. It must be filed within nine months of the date of death and lists all probate assets at their date-of-death fair market values. The inventory is a public document — anyone can request a copy from the Register.

The figures on RW-09 must ultimately be reconcilable with the gross assets reported on the REV-1500 inheritance tax return. Discrepancies between the inventory and the tax return are a common trigger for Department of Revenue inquiries.

RW-10 — Status Report (Rule 10.6)

If an estate has not been closed within two years of the decedent's death, the executor must file Form RW-10 with the Register of Wills explaining the delay and projecting a completion date. This report must be updated and refiled annually until the estate is finally concluded.

Orphans' Court Forms

OC-01 — Petition for Adjudication

If the estate cannot be closed through a private Family Settlement Agreement — because a beneficiary refuses to sign, demands a judicial review, or because the estate is insolvent — the executor files Form OC-01 to initiate a formal accounting with the Orphans' Court. This form triggers the court's formal audit calendar, where beneficiaries can file written objections to the accounting. It's the courthouse route for contested estates.

Department of Revenue Forms

REV-1500 — Pennsylvania Inheritance Tax Return

The REV-1500 is the most consequential document in most Pennsylvania estates. It reports all assets transferred at death — to both probate and some non-probate beneficiaries — and calculates the state inheritance tax owed based on each beneficiary's relationship to the decedent.

Key facts:

• Must be filed in duplicate with the Register of Wills
• Filing deadline: nine months from date of death
• 5% tax discount for payments made within three months of death
• Even a granted extension to file doesn't stop interest from accruing on unpaid tax after nine months

The REV-1500 includes specialized schedules for real estate (Schedule A), business interests (Schedule C), and agricultural property (Schedule AU). The return is filed at the county level, not directly with the Department of Revenue.

Other Forms You May Encounter

Form MV-39 (PennDOT): Required to transfer a vehicle title after death. Filed with PennDOT alongside a Short Certificate proving the executor's authority.

Death Certificate Application (Pennsylvania Department of Health): Original certified death certificates cost $20 each (fee waived for veterans and their spouses). You'll need multiple originals — financial institutions, PennDOT, and the Register of Wills typically all require originals rather than copies.

Medicaid Notice to DHS: Not a standard numbered form, but a required certified-mail notice to the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Estate Recovery Program if the decedent was 55 or older at death. This notice triggers DHS's 45-day window to file a Statement of Claim against the estate.

County Variations to Know

While the substantive forms are standardized statewide, three procedural differences vary significantly by county:

E-filing requirements. Some counties (Bucks County, for example) have instituted mandatory electronic filing for certain post-probate documents and levy per-page conversion fees on paper submissions. Check your county's requirements before filing.

Virtual probate. Counties including Centre, Berks, and Butler County have implemented permanent video conference options for the executor's initial oath. Others require in-person appearances. Verify before scheduling.

Short Certificate costs. These certified documents proving executor authority cost $7–$10 depending on the county. Order more than you think you'll need — banks, PennDOT, and real estate recorders all require them.

Where to Get the Forms

Current versions of all RW- and OC- forms are available through the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania's public portal. The REV-1500 is available on the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue's website. Your county Register of Wills office may also have physical copies.

Be cautious with forms found through generic search results or legal template sites. The UJS updates forms periodically — Form RW-02 and RW-07, for example, underwent revisions in late 2023 to address how divorce affects inheritance rights. Always verify you have the current version before filing.

The Pennsylvania Probate Process Guide includes a sequential filing checklist showing which forms are filed at each phase of administration, organized by the key statutory deadlines.

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