Prince George's County Probate Court Records
Prince George's County probate court records are kept at the Register of Wills office in Upper Marlboro. This is a large suburban county near Washington, D.C. with over 960,000 residents. The Register of Wills handles all estate filings, will probate, guardianship cases, and related matters for Prince George's County. As of December 2024, the office is open by appointment only. You should call ahead to set up a visit if you need to file documents or search probate court records in person.
Prince George's County Overview
Prince George's County Register of Wills
Hon. Cereta A. Lee serves as the Prince George's County Register of Wills. The office is in Room D4001 of the courthouse at 14735 Main Street in Upper Marlboro. Staff handle all probate court records for Prince George's County, from new estate filings to copies of old wills and administration documents. The Register also acts as Clerk to the Orphans' Court.
Since December 2, 2024, the office is open by appointment only. Staff strongly encourage you to call before you visit. When you call, press Option 1 for the New Estates Division and Option 2 for the Auditing Division. If you need wheelchair access, let them know when you schedule your appointment. Filings cannot be sent by fax or email. You can mail them to the PO Box or drop them off at the Commissioner's Entrance of the courthouse in the drop-off box.
| Register | Hon. Cereta A. Lee |
|---|---|
| Address |
Courthouse 14735 Main Street, Room D4001 Upper Marlboro, MD 20773 |
| Mailing Address |
Register of Wills, Prince George's County PO Box 1729 Upper Marlboro, MD 20773 |
| Phone | (301) 952-3250 |
| Toll-Free | (888) 464-4219 |
| Fax | (301) 952-0908 |
| Auditing Dept. | (301) 780-7819 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM (by appointment) |
The office puts out several free publications that cover common questions about probate court records in Prince George's County. These include "Facts About Wills," "What You Need To Do To Open An Estate," guides for small estates under $50,000, regular estates over $50,000, and modified administration. Check their website or ask when you call.
Orphans' Court in Prince George's County
The Orphans' Court sits at the courthouse in Upper Marlboro. A unique feature of Prince George's County is that each Orphans' Court judge can preside over a case alone. In most Maryland counties, the full panel of three judges hears matters together. This single-judge rule can speed up hearings and reduce the time it takes to resolve contested probate court records in Prince George's County.
The Orphans' Court handles disputed wills, objections to personal representatives, and guardianship matters under Md. Code, Estates and Trusts § 2-101. If all parties agree and there is no dispute, the case stays with the Register of Wills as administrative probate. Only contested cases go to the Orphans' Court for a hearing.
How to Search Prince George's County Probate Records
The EstateSearch tool on the Maryland Register of Wills site is the fastest way to look up Prince George's County probate court records. It is free and covers cases from 1998 to the present. Enter a last name to start, and use the percent sign as a wildcard for broader searches. The system updates each day at the close of business. Estate numbers must be entered as 12 characters with leading zeros.
You can also use the Maryland Judiciary Case Search for docket information. This tool is free and has records from 1965 forward. It covers probate, civil, and criminal cases in Prince George's County. Search by party name or case number.
Prince George's County has some of the deepest historical records in Maryland. Probate records go back to 1696. Wills on file run from 1698 to 1921, with an index covering 1698 to 1948. Administration accounts span 1698 to 1948. Bonds cover 1698 to 1847. Inventories start in 1696 and go to 1854. There are also automobile transfer records from 1987 to 1997. For these older records, the Maryland State Archives in Annapolis holds microfilm copies. FamilySearch has digitized some of these collections as well for genealogy use.
Prince George's County Estate Records
A probate court record in Prince George's County can contain many types of documents. The will comes first, if there is one. The personal representative files it with the Register of Wills. Then they receive letters of administration or letters testamentary, giving them the legal power to manage the estate. An inventory of all assets must be filed within three months under Estates and Trusts § 7-101. A list of interested persons is due within 20 days per § 7-104.
Creditors have six months from the date of death to submit claims against the estate, per § 8-103. The personal representative must account for all money received and spent. Final accounts close the estate. All these filings are public and become part of the Prince George's County probate court record for that case.
Prince George's County was formed in 1696 from Charles and Calvert Counties. The probate records here are among the oldest in the state. They hold a detailed picture of property, wealth, and family ties going back over 300 years.
Probate Fees for Prince George's County
Prince George's County follows the same fee schedule as all Maryland counties. Estates worth $50,000 or less have no filing fee. The fee is $100 for estates between $50,000 and $100,000, and $200 for those between $100,000 and $500,000. Higher values mean higher fees, up to $10,000 for estates worth $7.5 million to $10 million.
Small estates under $50,000 can use a streamlined process under Estates and Trusts § 5-601. If the spouse is the sole heir, the threshold goes up to $100,000. Modified administration is also available for eligible estates and cuts down on the paperwork. The Auditing Division at (301) 780-7819 handles questions about accounts and financial filings for probate court records in Prince George's County.
Note: Maryland estate tax returns (MET 1 Form) go directly to the Comptroller of Maryland, not the Register of Wills, for estates opened after July 1, 2015.
Prince George's County Register Portal
The Prince George's County Register of Wills page on the state website shows office details, appointment info, and links to publications and the online search tool for probate court records.
Use this page to find the phone number, mailing address, and drop-off box location for the Prince George's County Register of Wills office.
Legal Resources in Prince George's County
Several groups can help with probate matters in Prince George's County. The Legal Aid Bureau at (410) 951-7777 serves low-income residents across the state. The Prince George's County Bar Association at (301) 952-1442 offers attorney referrals for estate cases. The People's Law Library has free info on wills, estates, and the probate process.
For questions about senior citizens and estate matters, the Maryland Attorney General has a line at 888-743-0023. The IRS local office at (202) 927-9361 can help with federal estate tax issues. Prince George's County Land Records at (301) 952-3352 and the Foreclosure Department at (301) 952-3399 may also be relevant if the estate includes real property. The Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation at 888-246-5941 handles property tax questions. The MDEC portal supports electronic filing of probate documents in Prince George's County.
Cities in Prince George's County
Prince George's County has dozens of cities and towns. All of them file probate cases at the same Register of Wills office in Upper Marlboro. Whether you live in Bowie, Laurel, College Park, or Hyattsville, your probate court records go through the county office.
Other communities in Prince George's County include College Park, Greenbelt, Hyattsville, Laurel, Landover, and Largo. All residents use the Prince George's County Register of Wills for probate court records.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Prince George's County. Probate cases must be filed where the person lived at death. Check the address to make sure you search the right county for probate court records.