Finding probate records online can be a straightforward process if you know where to look. Probate records are legal documents related to the distribution of a deceased person’s estate. Here are some steps to help you find probate records online:
1. Identify the Jurisdiction
- County Level: Probate records are typically maintained at the county level in the United States. Determine the county where the deceased person lived at the time of their death.
- State Level: Some states have centralized probate courts or archives that may have online databases.
2. Visit the County Clerk or Probate Court Website
- Many county clerk or probate court websites offer online access to probate records. Look for a section on the website related to “Probate Records,” “Court Records,” or “Genealogy.”
- Some counties may have a searchable database where you can enter the deceased person’s name to find relevant records.
3. Use State Archives or Libraries
- Some state archives or libraries have digitized probate records available online. Check the website of the state archives or state library for the state where the deceased person lived.
- For example, the California State Archives and the New York State Library have extensive collections of digitized records.
4. Online Genealogy Websites
- Websites like Ancestry.com, FamilySearch.org, and MyHeritage.com have large collections of probate records. These sites often require a subscription, but they offer extensive search capabilities.
- FamilySearch.org is free to use and has a vast collection of probate records from various counties and states.
- Ancestry.com and MyHeritage.com offer free trials, which you can use to search for probate records.
5. Check Local Historical Societies
- Some local historical societies have digitized probate records and made them available online. Check the website of the historical society in the county where the deceased person lived.
6. Use Google or Other Search Engines
- Perform a search using the deceased person’s name, the county, and the term “probate records.” For example, search for “John Smith probate records Cook County Illinois.”
- This can sometimes lead you to online databases or digitized collections that you might not find through other methods.
7. Contact the Probate Court Directly
- If you cannot find the records online, consider contacting the probate court directly. Many courts can provide copies of probate records for a fee, and some may even email or mail them to you.
8. Check for Digital Libraries and Archives
- Websites like Internet Archive (archive.org) and Google Books sometimes have digitized probate records, especially older ones that are in the public domain.
9. Social Security Death Index (SSDI)
- While not a probate record, the Social Security Death Index can help you confirm the death of an individual, which can be useful when searching for probate records.
10. Legal Document Retrieval Services
- If you are unable to find the records online, consider using a legal document retrieval service. These services can obtain probate records on your behalf for a fee.
Tips:
- Be Patient: Some records may not be digitized or may be difficult to find. It may take some time and effort to locate the records you need.
- Verify Information: Ensure that you have the correct name, date of death, and jurisdiction to avoid confusion with similar names.
By following these steps, you should be able to locate probate records online. If the records are not available online, you may need to visit the county courthouse or contact the probate court directly.
