How to get access to probates in Prince William County

[Earlando Murdock]

Hey I have a quick question.. in my county (Prince William, Virgina) I went down to the courthouse this morning 12/10/15 to ask if I could get access to these probate files. The lady said that there was no way I could get to them unless I was an executor. I even asked if there was way to get to them online and she said no... I looked online and come to find out there actually was an online source but its saying that I have to make a profile to access these probates, wills etc. Please help me http://www.pwcgov.org/government/courts/circuit/Pages/Records-for-Occasional-User.aspx

[Guy Olds]

@Earlando Murdock  Since Probate files are public you probably spoke to the wrong person or asked the wrong question.

I just clicked on the link you gave and within a minute a ran across Room 305 at the courthouse Public Service Center for records. They have probate records there.

One thing you have to remember is you don't want to "research" the records, you just want to "view" the records. You will need a case number to start so find one in a local paper or ask a clerk. All probate case are filed sequentially as they come in. You are going to be looking for a computer or a bank of computers to sit at. Hopefully you will run across a friendly clerk or maybe someone sitting at a computer. Based on what I can see it's all digitized but only accessed at the courthouse.

Once you find records start to record the information that @Rick H. listed for you. Create blank info sheets for all your added data. You won't find better instructions than in his post.  It will all go into a spreadsheet so you can mail merge your letters and envelopes.

Hopefully Room 305 is the correct place. Good luck. Keep us updated.