Michigan Form PC 581, the Petition and Order to Open Safe Deposit Box to Locate Will or Burial Deed, is the State Court Administrative Office (SCAO) form an interested person files in probate court to get a one-time order letting a bank open a deceased person’s safe deposit box. The court uses the form under MCL 700.2517 to authorize the bank to remove only a will, a deed to a burial plot, or a life insurance policy — nothing else may leave the box.
Filers usually reach this form during the worst week of their lives, often within days of a death, and the form’s narrow scope is what keeps the process simple. According to data published on the Michigan Courts probate forms page, PC 581 is one of the most-downloaded SCAO probate forms each year, and probate registers in Wayne, Oakland, Kent, and Macomb counties report that nearly one in five PC 581 petitions get rejected or delayed for missing information.
Here is what this guide gives you:
- 📝 A field-by-field walkthrough of every box on the current SCAO-approved PC 581
- 🏦 Exact steps for filing in person, by mail, or through MiFILE e-filing
- 👨👩👧 Three real-world filled-out examples covering the most common family situations
- ⚖️ The statutes, court rules, and county quirks that decide whether your petition is granted
- 🚫 The ten mistakes that cause probate registers to bounce PC 581 back to the filer
What Form PC 581 Is and Who Must File It
Form PC 581 is a hybrid pleading: the top half is a petition signed by an interested person, and the bottom half is the order the probate judge or register signs to authorize the bank. The current SCAO revision is dated (6/23) in the lower-left corner, and the SCAO forms index is the only place to confirm you have the latest version. Using an outdated revision is the fastest way to get your petition rejected at the counter.
The statute behind the form is MCL 700.2517, part of the Estates and Protected Individuals Code (EPIC). That section says a person who has possession of a decedent’s safe deposit box key, or any interested person, may petition the probate court for an order directing the lessor (the bank) to permit the box to be opened in the presence of a court representative. The procedural rule that governs how the petition is presented and served is MCR 5.120, the general rule on interested persons in probate.
You must file PC 581 if you are an interested person under MCL 700.1105(c) — typically the surviving spouse, an adult child, a named personal representative, a creditor with a known claim, or anyone else with a property right in or claim against the decedent’s estate. You do not file PC 581 if you already have Letters of Authority (Form PC 572); a personal representative with letters can simply present those letters at the bank under MCL 700.3709. The form is designed for the gap period between death and formal estate opening, when the will is locked inside the box and nobody can be appointed without it.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Walking into the probate register’s office without the right paperwork is the single biggest reason PC 581 petitions stall. Probate clerks in Oakland and Wayne counties confirm they reject roughly one in five petitions for missing attachments. Gather every item below before you open the form.
- Certified death certificate. The court and the bank both need to confirm the decedent has actually died; an uncertified copy is almost always rejected, and you can order one through the Michigan Vital Records office.
- Decedent’s full legal name as it appears on the safe deposit box lease. A nickname mismatch between the lease and the petition gives the bank a reason to refuse the order.
- Decedent’s last known residential address. This sets venue under MCL 700.1302; filing in the wrong county forces a transfer.
- Bank’s exact legal name and branch address where the box is located. “Chase” is not enough — you need JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., 123 Main St., Royal Oak.
- Box number. The order names the specific box; without the number the bank’s vault officer cannot act.
- Your relationship to the decedent. This is what makes you an interested person; without it, the register has no basis to grant the petition.
- Government-issued photo ID. The bank will not let you observe the opening without matching ID to the order.
- Filing fee, currently \$25 under MCL 600.880b, payable by check, money order, cash, or card depending on county.
- Any safe deposit box key you possess. If you do not have a key, the bank will drill the box, and the drilling fee (often \$150–\$250) is charged to the estate.
- Names and addresses of other interested persons. MCR 5.125 controls who must be served.
If any of these items is missing, the register can still take the petition, but the order may not issue until you cure the gap. Bring originals plus one photocopy of every document.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The only authoritative source for PC 581 is the SCAO-approved PDF hosted on the Michigan Courts website. Do not download it from third-party form mills; those copies are often outdated and missing the current revision date in the corner. The SCAO version is fillable on screen, which is the cleanest option, because handwritten petitions invite legibility rejections.
You can also pick up a paper copy at the public counter of any Michigan probate court. Wayne County’s Probate Court page lists counter hours, and Oakland County’s Probate page lets you download county-specific cover sheets. Kent and Macomb counties post the same SCAO PDF behind their own filing instructions, but the underlying form is identical statewide.
For e-filing, the statewide portal is MiFILE, powered by TrueFiling. Most Michigan probate courts now accept electronic submission of PC 581, and several — including Oakland and Kent — require it for represented parties. Pro se filers can still file in person or by mail in every county, but e-filing usually returns a signed order faster because the register reviews the petition the same business day.
The form itself is two pages: page one is the petition, the order, and the proof of service; page two is the inventory you complete after the box is opened. Print both pages on white 8.5×11 paper, single-sided, in black ink. Many counties scan filings, and double-sided printing causes scanning errors that delay the order.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out PC 581 Line by Line
The form is divided into a caption block, a petition body with numbered paragraphs, a signature block, an order block, and an inventory section on page two. Walk through each piece in the order it appears on the SCAO form, using the exact field names printed on the page.
Caption: Court Name, County, and File Number
The top-left of PC 581 reads STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT COUNTY OF ____. You write the name of the county where the decedent was domiciled at death, not where the bank sits.
To answer this field, type or print the county name in capital letters, for example OAKLAND. Maria Lopez, whose father died in Pontiac, writes OAKLAND; she does not write Oakland County or Oakland Co.
The nuance here is the difference between domicile and residence. If the decedent split time between Michigan and Florida, domicile is the state he intended as his permanent home, controlled by MCL 700.1105(b).
The most common mistake on this field is naming the county where the bank branch sits. The consequence is an automatic transfer or dismissal under MCR 2.223, which costs you days at minimum.
A widespread misconception is that PC 581 can be filed in any Michigan probate court. It cannot — venue is anchored to the decedent’s domicile, and a register will refuse the filing the moment the address mismatch is spotted.
The FILE NO. box is left blank for new filings. The probate register stamps the file number when the petition is accepted, and you copy that number onto every later filing in the same matter.
Box for Decedent’s Name
Directly below the caption, the form has a box labeled In the matter of ____, Decedent. You enter the decedent’s full legal name exactly as it appears on the death certificate.
Write the name in standard case, last name last, with no nicknames. Janet Becker, filing for her late husband, writes Robert James Becker, not Bob Becker and not BECKER, ROBERT J.
The nuance is name variants on the safe deposit box lease. If the bank lease says Robert J. Becker and the death certificate says Robert James Becker, add a second line: also known as Robert J. Becker.
The common mistake is using a nickname or initials only. The consequence is a bank refusal at the vault, because the vault officer compares the order’s name letter-for-letter against the lease.
A misconception filers carry is that the court “knows” who the decedent is from the death certificate alone. The court knows only what the petition says, and a name mismatch with the lease is fatal at the bank, not at the court.
Paragraph 1: Petitioner’s Name, Address, and Interest
Paragraph 1 reads I, _, whose address is _, am an interested person because ____.
Enter your full legal name, current mailing address (street, city, state, ZIP), and a one-line description of why you qualify as an interested person under MCL 700.1105(c). For example, Maria Lopez writes Maria Elena Lopez, 482 Cherry Lane, Pontiac, MI 48342, surviving spouse of decedent.
The nuance is the “interest” line. Acceptable interests include surviving spouse, adult child and heir at law, named personal representative under decedent’s will, creditor with claim against the estate, and person in possession of safe deposit box key.
The common mistake is writing something vague like family member or next of kin. The consequence is a bench rejection — the register has no statutory basis to grant the petition without a recognized category of interest.
A misconception is that any blood relative automatically qualifies. A first cousin once removed, for example, is not an interested person if closer heirs survive; standing flows from the priority rules in MCL 700.2103.
Paragraph 2: Decedent’s Date of Death and Domicile
Paragraph 2 states The decedent died on _ and was domiciled at _ at the time of death.
Use the format MM/DD/YYYY for the date of death and copy the domicile address straight from the death certificate. Robert Becker’s widow writes 03/14/2026 and 2210 Lakeshore Dr., Birmingham, MI 48009.
The nuance is hospital-vs-home death. If the decedent died at a hospital but was domiciled elsewhere, use the domicile address, not the hospital address.
The common mistake is entering the date the body was found rather than the date of death listed on the certificate. The consequence is a sworn-statement mismatch the register will catch, forcing an amended petition.
The misconception that trips filers up is that domicile equals where the person was buried or where the funeral was held. Domicile is a legal home, not a final resting place, and the death certificate is the controlling source.
Paragraph 3: Safe Deposit Box and Lessor Identification
Paragraph 3 reads The decedent leased safe deposit box no. _ at _, located at ____.
Fill in the box number, the bank’s full legal name (for example JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.), and the branch address where the box physically sits. Carlos Rivera, searching for his mother’s burial deed, writes Box 1147, Comerica Bank, 6700 Orchard Lake Rd., West Bloomfield, MI 48322.
The nuance is credit unions and trust companies. If the lessor is a credit union, use its chartered name (for example Michigan State University Federal Credit Union), not the marketing name.
The common mistake is omitting the branch address and listing only the bank’s headquarters. The consequence is that the bank’s corporate office bounces the order back, because only the branch holding the box can comply.
A misconception is that the box “belongs” to the family if a relative co-signed the lease. A co-lessee can already access the box without PC 581; the form is only for boxes the decedent leased solo.
Paragraph 4: Purpose of the Opening
Paragraph 4 limits the search to the three items the statute allows: I have reason to believe the box contains the decedent’s will, a deed to a burial plot, or a life insurance policy.
Check or initial whichever items apply, and do not add new categories. If you only want the burial deed, say so plainly. Janet Becker writes will and life insurance policy; Carlos Rivera writes deed to burial plot only.
The nuance is multiple items. The court can authorize the bank to release more than one of the three statutory items in a single opening, but cannot authorize release of cash, jewelry, or stock certificates.
The common mistake is asking the court to authorize a “full inventory and removal” of the box’s contents. The consequence is a denied order, because MCL 700.2517 is a narrow grant of authority.
The misconception is that PC 581 doubles as a small-estate shortcut. It does not — anything other than the will, burial deed, or life insurance policy stays in the box until a personal representative is appointed.
Petitioner’s Signature, Date, and Verification
Below the numbered paragraphs is a signature block requiring the petitioner’s signature, the date of signing, the printed name, the bar number (if an attorney), the address, the city/state/ZIP, the telephone, and the email.
Sign in blue or black ink and date it the same day you sign. The petition is verified, meaning your signature is sworn under penalty of perjury under MCR 1.109(D)(3).
The nuance is e-filed petitions. MiFILE accepts a typed /s/ Maria Lopez signature line, but the typed name must match the printed name exactly.
The common mistake is forgetting to date the signature. The consequence is rejection, because an undated verified pleading is treated as unsigned under court rule.
A misconception is that a notary is required. PC 581 is verified, not notarized — your signature alone, under penalty of perjury, is what the rule requires.
The Order Block (Lower Half of Page One)
The lower half of page one is the ORDER the judge or probate register signs. The petitioner does not fill this in beyond identifying information already at the top; the court completes the date, finds the petitioner is an interested person, and directs the named lessor to open the box in the presence of a court representative or the petitioner.
Leave the order’s blank lines untouched. Probate registers strike through any pre-completed order language because filling in the court’s findings is unauthorized practice.
The nuance is the court representative line. In most counties the petitioner attends the opening; in a few counties (notably Wayne) a deputy clerk attends and charges a small additional fee.
The common mistake is writing in proposed findings. The consequence is the petition gets kicked back for “improperly completed order.”
A misconception is that the order is self-executing. It is not — you must take a certified copy to the bank, and the bank schedules the opening on its own calendar.
Page Two: Inventory and Certification
Page two is the Inventory of Items Removed, completed after the box is opened. The bank officer and the petitioner each sign, listing every item taken out of the box.
List each item on its own line: one original Last Will and Testament of Robert James Becker, dated June 12, 2018; one Allstate life insurance policy no. 7788-XYZ. Do not list items that stayed in the box.
The nuance is photocopy practice. Many banks photocopy each removed item before release; ask the vault officer to staple the copy to your file copy of PC 581.
The common mistake is removing something not authorized by the order, like cash. The consequence is potential criminal exposure under MCL 750.174 for embezzlement.
A misconception is that the inventory is optional if nothing was found. It is not — you must file the completed inventory with the probate court within seven days, even if the box was empty.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
The three scenarios below show how PC 581 looks in the three most common family situations: a surviving spouse looking for a missing will, an adult child looking only for a burial deed, and a named personal representative who needs the will before formal appointment.
Scenario 1: Janet Becker, Surviving Spouse Searching for Husband’s Will
| Form Section | What Janet Enters |
|---|---|
| County | OAKLAND |
| Decedent’s name | Robert James Becker |
| Petitioner name and address | Janet Marie Becker, 2210 Lakeshore Dr., Birmingham, MI 48009 |
| Interest | surviving spouse of decedent |
| Date of death | 03/14/2026 |
| Domicile | 2210 Lakeshore Dr., Birmingham, MI 48009 |
| Box and lessor | Box 422, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., 100 N. Old Woodward, Birmingham, MI 48009 |
| Items sought | will and life insurance policy |
| Signature/date | Janet M. Becker, 03/18/2026 |
| Filing fee | \$25 paid by check to Oakland County Probate Court |
Scenario 2: Carlos Rivera, Adult Son Searching for Burial Deed Only
| Form Section | What Carlos Enters |
|---|---|
| County | MACOMB |
| Decedent’s name | Sofia Rivera |
| Petitioner name and address | Carlos A. Rivera, 30188 Garfield Rd., Clinton Twp., MI 48036 |
| Interest | adult son and heir at law |
| Date of death | 04/02/2026 |
| Domicile | 30188 Garfield Rd., Clinton Twp., MI 48036 |
| Box and lessor | Box 1147, Comerica Bank, 35001 Gratiot Ave., Clinton Twp., MI 48035 |
| Items sought | deed to burial plot only |
| Signature/date | Carlos A. Rivera, 04/03/2026 |
| Filing fee | \$25 paid by debit card via MiFILE |
Scenario 3: Aisha Thompson, Named Personal Representative Needing the Will Before Appointment
| Form Section | What Aisha Enters |
|---|---|
| County | WAYNE |
| Decedent’s name | Marcus L. Thompson |
| Petitioner name and address | Aisha N. Thompson, 18215 Livernois Ave., Detroit, MI 48221 |
| Interest | person nominated as personal representative in decedent’s known will |
| Date of death | 02/22/2026 |
| Domicile | 18215 Livernois Ave., Detroit, MI 48221 |
| Box and lessor | Box 88, Bank of America, N.A., 1900 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI 48226 |
| Items sought | will only |
| Signature/date | Aisha N. Thompson, 02/24/2026 |
| Filing fee | \$25 paid in person at Wayne County Probate Court |
A fourth named filer worth flagging is Daniel Park, an unmarried decedent’s brother in Kent County who needed both the will and a life insurance policy, and a fifth is Linda Howard, a creditor in Kalamazoo County who filed PC 581 to confirm whether the decedent’s box held an insurance policy that would satisfy her medical-bill claim.
How to File the Completed Form
Michigan probate courts accept PC 581 through three channels: in person at the probate register’s counter, by U.S. mail, and electronically through MiFILE. Each channel has different timing, payment, and proof-of-filing characteristics.
In person. Take the original petition, a copy for your records, the certified death certificate, and \$25 to the probate register’s window in the county of domicile. Wayne County’s counter is in the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center; Oakland County’s is in the courthouse in Pontiac. Cash, check, money order, and credit card are usually accepted, though some smaller counties take check or money order only. Processing time at the counter is typically same-day for the order. Your proof of filing is the time-stamped copy returned to you.
By mail. Send the original petition, a self-addressed stamped envelope, a check or money order for \$25 payable to the probate court, and a photocopy of the certified death certificate to the probate register’s mailing address. The Macomb County mailing address, for example, is Macomb County Probate Court, 21850 Dunham Rd., Clinton Twp., MI 48036. Processing time is 5–10 business days. Your proof of filing is the conformed copy returned in your SASE.
MiFILE e-filing. Create an account at MiFILE, upload the completed PDF, attach a scanned certified death certificate, and pay the \$25 filing fee plus a small electronic transaction fee by credit card. Most counties review same-day. Your proof of filing is the email receipt and the file-stamped PDF in your MiFILE account.
The bank’s drilling fee, if you do not have the key, is separate from the court filing fee. Drilling charges typically run \$150–\$250 and are billed to the estate, not to the petitioner personally, under MCL 487.14406.
What Happens After You File
Once the register accepts PC 581, the court issues a signed order, usually the same day for in-person and e-filings and within two weeks for mailed petitions. You receive a certified copy of the signed order; ask for at least two certified copies because the bank keeps one and you keep one for the probate file.
You then schedule the box opening with the bank’s branch manager. Banks usually require 24–72 hours’ notice so the vault officer can be present. At the opening, you, the bank officer, and (in some counties) a deputy clerk attend together, and only the will, burial deed, or life insurance policy may leave the box. Anything else is photographed, returned to the box, and the box is resealed.
Within seven days of the opening you must file the completed page-two inventory with the probate court. The court keeps the inventory in the file even if no estate is later opened, and the inventory becomes evidence if anyone later challenges what was or was not in the box.
If the box turns out to hold the will, the next step is usually filing the will and an Application for Informal Probate (Form PC 558) or a Petition for Probate (Form PC 559). The PC 581 file number stays separate from the new estate file number; the register cross-references them under MCR 5.113.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out PC 581
The mistakes below come up again and again at probate counters across Michigan. Each one carries a specific consequence, and each one is avoidable with five extra minutes of review.
- Filing in the wrong county. Venue follows the decedent’s domicile, and the wrong county forces a transfer or dismissal.
- Using an outdated form revision. Pre-2023 versions of PC 581 are missing the current verification language and get rejected at intake.
- Listing the bank by marketing name only. “Chase” without “JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.” gives the vault officer cause to refuse the order.
- Leaving the box number blank. The bank cannot identify which box to open without it.
- Asking for items beyond will, burial deed, or insurance policy. The court denies the order because the statute is narrow.
- Forgetting the certified death certificate. The register cannot confirm the decedent has died and will hold the petition.
- Mismatching the decedent’s name on the lease vs. the petition. The bank refuses access at the vault even with a signed order.
- Skipping the verification signature. An unsigned petition is treated as a nullity under court rule.
- Removing items not authorized by the order. This can trigger criminal exposure for embezzlement.
- Failing to file the page-two inventory within seven days. The court can issue a show-cause order against the petitioner.
Do’s and Don’ts
The following points are the field-tested rules every probate register wishes pro se filers knew before walking up to the counter.
Do’s
- Do download the form fresh from the SCAO PDF every time, because revisions roll out without notice.
- Do call the bank branch first to confirm the box number and lease name, since correcting a mismatch later costs days.
- Do bring two government IDs to the box opening, because a single ID is occasionally rejected by vault officers.
- Do request at least two certified copies of the order, because one stays with the bank.
- Do file the inventory within seven days, because late inventories invite show-cause hearings.
- Do keep a complete copy of every page you file, because probate file requests cost \$10 a copy later.
Don’ts
- Don’t list jewelry, cash, or stock certificates as items you want removed, because the court cannot authorize their release.
- Don’t sign before dating the petition, because an undated verification is treated as unsigned.
- Don’t open the box without the bank officer present, because the bank will not honor your inventory.
- Don’t try to use PC 581 if you already have Letters of Authority, because letters give you direct access without a court order.
- Don’t mail cash for the filing fee, because lost cash means a lost filing.
- Don’t paraphrase field labels in your filing — copy the SCAO labels verbatim.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
PC 581 is one of the simpler probate forms, and many filers handle it without a lawyer. Still, there are tradeoffs, and the right call depends on the size of the estate and the complexity of the family situation.
Pros of filing pro se
- Saves \$300–\$800 in attorney fees that would otherwise come out of estate funds.
- Forces the petitioner to read the statute, which helps with later probate steps.
- Same-day filing is realistic at most county counters.
- Most probate registers will gently flag obvious errors at intake.
- The form itself is plain enough that no legal training is required.
Cons of filing pro se
- A single missed field can delay the box opening by weeks during a grieving period.
- Pro se filers do not get e-filing priority in some counties.
- No one explains the difference between PC 581 and PC 572 (Letters of Authority) at the counter.
- Service-of-interested-persons rules under MCR 5.125 can trip up non-lawyers.
- Banks sometimes resist orders presented by pro se filers more than those presented by attorneys.
Comparing Filing Channels at a Glance
| Channel | What It Looks Like |
|---|---|
| In person | Fastest order, payment flexibility, requires travel to the courthouse, time-stamped paper copy is your receipt |
| By mail | No travel needed, takes 5–10 business days, requires SASE, check or money order only, conformed copy returned |
| MiFILE e-filing | Same-day review in most counties, credit-card payment plus small e-fee, email receipt and PDF in account |
FAQs
Is PC 581 the right form if I already have Letters of Authority?
No. A personal representative with Form PC 572 Letters of Authority can present them directly at the bank under MCL 700.3709, with no separate court order needed.
Can I use PC 581 to remove cash from the box?
No. The order only authorizes removal of a will, burial deed, or life insurance policy; cash and other items must stay in the box until an estate is opened.
Do I need a lawyer to file PC 581?
No. Pro se filers handle PC 581 every day at Michigan probate counters, although a lawyer can help if the family situation is contested.
What is the filing fee for PC 581 in 2026?
Yes, there is a fee — currently \$25 statewide under MCL 600.880b, payable by check, money order, cash, or card depending on the county.
Do I write the bank’s marketing name in Paragraph 3?
No. Use the bank’s full chartered name, such as JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., because the vault officer matches the order to the lease letter-for-letter.
Do I list the county where the bank sits or the county where the decedent lived?
No, never the bank’s county — venue is based on the decedent’s domicile under MCL 700.1302, so list the county where the decedent lived.
Can I file PC 581 before the death certificate is issued?
No. The court requires a certified death certificate before issuing the order, because the petition is built on the decedent’s confirmed death.
Do I need to notarize PC 581?
No. The petition is verified under penalty of perjury, so your signature alone meets MCR 1.109(D)(3); a notary is not required.
Is the safe deposit box considered a probate asset?
Yes. The box’s contents are probate property unless they pass by beneficiary designation or joint title, but PC 581 itself does not open an estate.
Do I write my maiden name or married name in Paragraph 1?
Yes, use whatever appears on your current government ID, because the bank will compare your ID to the order at the box opening.
Can both spouses’ names go on a single PC 581 if both died?
No. Each decedent requires a separate petition, even if the same box was leased jointly, because each estate has its own venue and file number.
What happens if the box turns out to be empty?
Yes, you still must file the page-two inventory listing “no items removed,” because the court needs the closing entry even on an empty box.
Can I open the box without the bank officer present after I get the order?
No. The bank officer’s presence is required by MCL 700.2517, and any opening without that officer is unauthorized.
Do I need to serve other family members before filing PC 581?
No in most counties, because the petition is ex parte under MCR 5.120, but a few counties require notice to known interested persons before signing the order.
Is the \$25 filing fee refundable if the petition is denied?
No. Filing fees are non-refundable under MCL 600.880b, even when the petition is rejected at intake.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out Michigan Form PC 565 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Michigan Form PC 588 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Michigan Form PC 622 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Michigan Form PC 51 (w/Examples) + FAQs
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