Westmoreland register of wills to implement credit card fees

Westmoreland County Register of Wills Jon Wian said Tuesday his office will no longer foot the bill for customers who make payments with a credit card.

Beginning June 1, customers who pay fees to file wills, estate documents, apply for marriage licenses and request copies of documents in the Register of Wills Office will be charged a service fee to use a credit card.

Wian said the register of wills is the lone office in the courthouse that does not pass along service fees to customers.

Payments made when filing criminal court fees at the clerk of courts office, lawsuits and other civil and family court documents in the county prothonotary’s office require credit card users to pay service fees.

“We’ve been eating those costs, and this expense could save taxpayers up to $11,000 a year,” Wian said.

The new policy is contingent on county commissioners expected approval this week of a new three-year contract with a municipal services bureau processing agency. It is slated to begin on payments starting June 1.

Customers will be charged a $1 minimum to use a credit card and a service fee of up to 2.8% of a total payment, Wian said.

The Register of Wills Office processes an average of about 1,000 documents a month.

Wian said the office has been busier in recent weeks as the state’s Real ID deadline approaches in early May. There’s been a rush to purchase certified copies of older marriage licenses that, in some cases, is needed for proof of identity in order to obtain a Real ID needed for air travel and to enter most federal facilities, he said.

“Some people who changed their name need a certified copy of their marriage licenses to get a Real ID. Before 2012, copies of marriage licenses didn’t have the (required) raised seal,” Wian said.