Clerk of Orphans’ Court

As we navigate out of the Coronavirus pandemic, we ask all attorneys and citizens to continue to conduct business virtually as much as possible and limit in-person visits to our office.  Please continue to contact our staff by phone, email, mail and Judicial Center dropbox in the building entrance.

We are continuing to schedule virtual appointments for Marriage License applications using video conferencing.  Click the Marriage Licenses tab to begin the application process.

Questions, please call:

Marriage Licenses & Orphans' Court – (717) 771-9288 OrphansCourt@old.yorkcountypa.gov

Emergency Petitions - (717) 771-9258

Wills & Estates – (717) 771-9607 RegisterOfWills@old.yorkcountypa.gov

Thank you for your cooperation.  Bryan K. Tate

Bryan K. Tate - Clerk of Orphans' Court

Bryan K. Tate York Co. Register of Wills/Clerk of Orphans' Court (2020 to present)

Becky K. Foust - Chief Deputy Clerk

MacGregor J. Brillhart, Esq. - Solicitor

E-mail: OrphansCourt@old.yorkcountypa.gov

York County Judicial Center
Second Floor
45 North George Street
York, PA 17401

Phone: (717) 771-9288

Fax: (717) 771-4678

Read the 2020 annual report by clicking here.

Commonwealth of PA Auditor General Audit Report for the office of Clerk of Orphans' Court - January 1, 2016-December 31, 2019

Financial Statement Audit For the Year Ended December 31, 2020

The Clerk of Orphans’ Court is an elected official who serves as Clerk of Orphans’ Court and Register of Wills.

The responsibilities of the Clerk of the Orphans' Court include the maintaining of dockets and files for petitions for incapacitated persons, appointment of guardians, 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.  The Clerk's office is also responsible for taking applications for, and issuing, marriage licenses. 

Birth and death records from 1893 through 1906 are maintained by the Clerk of the Orphans' Court in the County Archives Department.  Birth and death records of individuals born after 1906 are kept on file with the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Division of Vital Records, 101 South Mercer Street, P.O. Box 1528, New Castle, Pennsylvania 16101.

The Clerk of Orphans’ Court is located on the second floor of the York County Judicial Center, 45 N. George Street York, PA 17401 and may be reached at 717-771-9288.

The office of Clerk of Orphans’ Court is open for the transaction of business (i.e. marriage applications/licenses, filings) weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.

Attention: No cell phones, pagers, weapons or cameras are permitted in the York County Judicial Center. Please click here for a full list of prohibited items.