The Clerk of Orphans’ Court position is held by Frances Kovaleski who also serves as Register of Wills. The primary function of the clerk includes responsibility for taking applications for, and issuing, marriage licenses, the maintaining of dockets and files for petitions for incapacitated persons, appointment of guardians, formal accountings on estates, guardianships and trusts, adoptions (which records are confidential) and any other issues which may come before the Orphans’ Court Division. The Clerk of the Orphans’ Court is also responsible for assisting the Judge of the Orphans’ Court during Court proceedings as well as preparing and maintaining documents pertaining to those proceedings.

Office hours are Monday though Friday from 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. (Except holidays). The Office is located at:
Register of Wills/ Clerk of Orphans Court
Lackawanna County Government Center
123 Wyoming Avenue, Suite 521
Scranton, PA 18503

Customers may call the office directly at
(570) 963-6702 or fax at (570) 963-6377

Records Search for Register of Wills, Orphans’ Court and Marriage License Bureau

Note: Pop-ups need to be enabled to access online records.  For support call Infocon at 814-472-6146

Please notice that all Clerk of Orphan’s Court forms are now available online for your convenience.

Please note that the Orphans’ Court has a no refund policy.

As of January 2nd 2024 payment is now being accepted in the form of cash or check.

Marriage License / Orphans’ Court Forms

Certified Copy of Original Marriage Record	Genealogy Information
Request for Certified Copy of Original Marriage Record Third Party Requests for Certified Copy of Original Marriage Record	Tracing Family History in Lackawanna County Application for Birth Records Application for Death Records Genealogy Search for Marriage Records
Officials Who Can Perform a Marriage Ceremony	Dual Citizenship Information
District Justices Court of Common Pleas Judges Marriage License Disclaimer of Liability	Apostille Information and Application (Common Uses of an Apostille, How Do I Obtain an Apostille, Apostille Application, etc.) Request for Certified Copy of Original Marriage Record  (For Dual Citizenship Purposes)

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ACCOUNTINGS7 documents

• Accounting/Audit Check List
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• Petition for Adjudication Decedents Estate
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• Petition for Adjudication Guardian of Estate of Incapacitated Person
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• Petition for Adjudication Guardian of Estate of Minor
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• Petition for Adjudication Principals Estate (Under Power of Attorney)
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• Petition for Adjudication Trust
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• Notice of Charitable Gift
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ADOPTIONS14 documents

• Adoption Information Sheet
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• Checklist – Involuntary Relinquishment
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• Checklist – Voluntary Relinquishment
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• Checklist – Alternate Procedure for Relinquishment
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• Petition for Involuntary Termination
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• Petition for Voluntary Relinquishment
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• Petition for Adoption
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• Petition to Adopt a Child Under the Age of Eighteen
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• Consent to Adopt a Child Under the Age of Eighteen
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• Report of Intermediary
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• PA Child Abuse History Clearance Form
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• PA Request for Criminal Record Check
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• Natural Parents Waiver of Confidentiality of Adoption Records
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• Instructions to Release Adoption Information
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GUARDIANSHIPS16 documents

• PA Confidential Information Form
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• Important Notice: Citation with Notice
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• Expert Report
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• Incapacitited Person Cover Sheet
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• Guardian Cover Sheet
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• PA Confidential Document Form
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• Key Points for Guardians
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• Guardian Checklist
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• Report of Guardian of the Estate – 007068
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• Report of Guardian of the Person – 007069
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• Guardians Inventory for a Minor – 007070
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• Guardians Inventory for an Incapacitated Person – 007071
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• PA Notification of Mental Health Commitment
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• FLGT 2022 Training Schedule and Registration Form
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• Guardianship Checklist
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• GTS Spring 2024 Guardian Workshops
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MISCELLANEOUS8 documents

• 2023 Orphans' Court Calendar
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• 2024 Orphans' Court Calendar
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• Pennsylvania Orphans' Court Rules
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• Lackawanna County Orphans' Court Rules
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• Notice of Claim
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• The Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania
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• Fee schedule
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• Exemplification Form
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NOTICE OF LEGATEES1 document

• March 2024
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