The Short Answer

In Pennsylvania, you typically verify whether an estate is open (and obtain a certified copy of a will that has been filed) through the county Register of Wills where the decedent last lived. If the will has been filed/probated, the Register of Wills can issue certified copies of the will and other estate papers upon request and payment of the required fees.

If the will has not been deposited with the Register of Wills, an “interested party” may be able to ask the Register to compel the person holding the will to produce it.

What Pennsylvania Law Says

Two issues usually control your situation: (1) which county office has the estate file, and (2) whether you can obtain certified copies of documents in that file. In Pennsylvania, probate is handled at the county level through the Register of Wills, and once a will/estate filing is in that office’s records, certified copies can generally be requested by paying the applicable fee.

The Statute

The primary law governing certified copies from the Register of Wills is 20 Pa.C.S. § 923.

This statute provides that the register, upon request and payment of the fee, must make and certify true copies of the register’s records and papers filed, and those certified copies are treated as evidence like the original in Pennsylvania courts.

Separately, Pennsylvania law also addresses where a will is supposed to be probated (which matters when you’re trying to locate the estate file). The controlling statute is 20 Pa.C.S. § 3131, which generally ties probate to the county of the decedent’s last family or principal residence.

If your concern is that someone is holding the will and has not filed it, Pennsylvania law allows an interested party to request that the Register of Wills issue a citation to compel deposit of the will. See 20 Pa.C.S. § 3137.

For additional background, you may find these resources helpful: How Do I Confirm Whether an Estate Is Open and Get Probate Filings in Pennsylvania? and How Can I Get a Copy of a Will in Pennsylvania?.

Why You Should Speak with an Attorney

While the statutes provide the general rules, applying them to your situation can get complicated quickly—especially when your question mentions North Carolina but you selected Pennsylvania as the governing state. Key issues that often change the answer include:

• Strict Deadlines: If there is a dispute about the will, the timing of probate filings and challenges can matter, and delays can limit options or increase costs.
• Burden of Proof: If the will hasn’t been filed, you may need to show you are a “party in interest” and present enough facts for the Register of Wills to act under 20 Pa.C.S. § 3137.
• Exceptions / Multi-State Estates: If the decedent lived in one state but owned property or had probate activity in another, questions about the proper county, ancillary administration, and what records exist where can require careful legal analysis.

Trying to handle this alone can lead to wasted time (contacting the wrong county or wrong state office), incomplete records, or missed opportunities to protect your rights as a beneficiary or creditor.

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Disclaimer: This article provides general information under Pennsylvania law and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws change frequently. For legal advice specific to your situation, please consult with a licensed attorney.