Michigan Form PC 651 is the Petition and Order to Open Safe Deposit Box to Locate Will or Burial Deed, and it is filed in the probate court of the county where the deceased person lived so a bank can be ordered to let a named person inspect the box for a will, a deed to a burial plot, or a life insurance policy. The form is published by the State Court Administrative Office, and the current SCAO revision is dated (6/19) at the bottom-left corner of the official PC 651 PDF.
Filing this form solves a narrow but urgent problem: a bank cannot legally open a sealed box for a non-co-lessee without a court order, and funeral homes often need a burial deed within 48–72 hours. The Michigan probate court system processes thousands of these petitions each year, and the Michigan Courts annual statistics show that small-estate and ancillary probate filings (which include PC 651) make up roughly 18% of all probate filings statewide.
Here is what you will learn in this guide:
- 📝 How to complete every box and signature line on PC 651 without triggering a rejection
- 🏛️ Where to file, how much it costs, and how each Michigan county handles the order differently
- 👨👩👧 Three real walkthroughs (surviving spouse, adult child, and named personal representative)
- ⚠️ The 10 most common mistakes filers make and the exact consequence of each one
- ❓ 14 plain-English FAQs that answer the field-level questions probate clerks hear every day
What Form PC 651 Is and Who Must File It
Form PC 651 is a hybrid document. The top half is a sworn petition, and the bottom half is a proposed order the judge signs. It is authorized by MCL 700.2517, which is part of the Estates and Protected Individuals Code (EPIC). The statute lets an “interested person” ask the probate court to direct a financial institution to open a safe deposit box rented in the name of a deceased person and deliver three specific items: a writing that purports to be a will, a deed to a burial plot, or an insurance policy on the life of the decedent.
You must file PC 651 if you are not a co-lessee of the box and you need access before a personal representative is appointed. Banks in Michigan, including Chase, Huntington, Fifth Third, and PNC, require a certified copy of the signed order before they will let anyone near the box. Co-lessees with survivorship rights generally do not need PC 651, but many still use it to create a clean paper trail.
The petitioner is usually a surviving spouse, adult child, named nominee in a copy of the will, or the funeral director searching for a burial deed. Attorneys file PC 651 too, but the form is designed to be completed pro se. The court rule that governs notice and service for this petition is MCR 5.125, although for PC 651 most counties waive notice because of the urgency.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Gather every item below before you open the form. Missing information is the number-one reason PC 651 petitions sit on a clerk’s desk for days. The Michigan One Court of Justice forms portal provides the blank form, but it does not provide the underlying records you will need.
- Certified death certificate. You need at least one certified copy from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Without it the judge cannot confirm the decedent is actually deceased, and most clerks will refuse to file the petition.
- Decedent’s full legal name and any aliases. The bank’s records must match. If the lease says “Robert J. Smith” but the death certificate says “Bob Smith,” include both, or the bank will refuse to honor the order.
- Date of death and county of residence at death. These two facts establish venue under MCL 700.1302. Filing in the wrong county forces a transfer and a new fee.
- Name and exact branch of the financial institution. “Chase Bank” is not enough. You need the branch street address because the order names that specific branch.
- Safe deposit box number. Pull this from the lease, a key tag, or a recent bank statement. A wrong number causes the bank to reject the order on sight.
- Names and addresses of all interested persons. This includes the surviving spouse, all heirs at law, and any nominated personal representative. Missing an interested person can void the order under MCR 5.125(C)(33).
- Government-issued photo ID for the petitioner. The clerk verifies your identity at the counter, and the bank will check it again at the box.
- Filing fee in the correct payment form. Most Michigan probate courts charge $25 under MCL 600.880b, but a few counties add local surcharges.
- A second adult to serve as a witness. The bank will require the petitioner and a bank officer to sign the inventory the day the box is opened, and some counties require a third witness.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The only safe place to download PC 651 is the SCAO forms library, because third-party sites often host stale revisions. The current PDF lives at the SCAO PC 651 link, and the master index lives at the Michigan court forms search page. Both pages are mobile-friendly, and the PDF is fillable in Adobe Acrobat Reader.
You can also pick up a paper copy at any Michigan probate court counter. In Wayne County, that is the Wayne County Probate Court on the second floor of the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center. In Oakland County, copies are at the Oakland County Probate Court in Pontiac. In Kent County, paper forms are at the Kent County Probate Court in the Calder Plaza Building.
If you plan to e-file, you must use MiFile, Michigan’s statewide e-filing portal. MiFile is mandatory for probate filings in counties phased into the statewide e-filing rollout, which now includes Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Kent, Washtenaw, Genesee, and dozens of others. In counties not yet on MiFile, paper or in-person filing is still allowed.
Save the blank form to your computer first, then open it in Acrobat. Filling the PDF in a browser preview can strip the data when you save. Always print two copies — one for the court and one for your records — plus a third for the bank.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out Form PC 651 Line by Line
PC 651 is a single page divided into a caption, a petition section with eight numbered paragraphs, a signature block, and an order section the judge completes. Walk through it slowly, top to bottom.
Caption Box: Court Name, County, and File Number
Plain English. The caption tells the court system which probate court is hearing the matter and which case file the petition belongs to.
How to answer. In the top-left box write PROBATE COURT and the county name in all caps, for example PROBATE COURT — COUNTY OF WAYNE. In the top-right box write the file number if you already have one. If this is a new matter, leave it blank — the clerk assigns it at filing.
Example entry. Maria Lopez, filing in Oakland County, writes STATE OF MICHIGAN, PROBATE COURT, COUNTY OF OAKLAND in the caption.
Nuance. If the decedent died in Florida but owned a box in Michigan, you still file in the Michigan county where the box sits, under MCL 700.1302(b).
Common mistake and consequence. Filers often write the circuit court instead of the probate court. Probate court is a separate division, and the clerk will reject the filing and force a refile.
Misconception. People assume any Michigan probate court will hear the petition. It must be the county of the decedent’s domicile or, for a non-resident decedent, the county where the box is located.
Estate Caption: “In the matter of”
Plain English. This line names the estate.
How to answer. Write the decedent’s full legal name exactly as it appears on the death certificate. Use the format Estate of [First] [Middle] [Last], Deceased.
Example entry. Estate of Robert James Smith, Deceased.
Nuance. If the decedent went by a nickname or alias on bank records, add it: Estate of Robert James Smith, a/k/a Bob Smith, Deceased.
Common mistake and consequence. Filers leave off “Deceased.” The clerk may still accept it, but the bank often rejects the order because it does not match standard captioning.
Misconception. Some filers think the estate name must include “Last Will and Testament of.” It does not — that is for testamentary captions, not probate captions.
Paragraph 1: Petitioner Identity and Interest
Plain English. This paragraph says who you are and why you have standing to ask the court to open the box.
How to answer. Print your full legal name, your relationship to the decedent (spouse, child, nominated personal representative, creditor with security in the box, etc.), and your mailing address.
Example entry. I, Maria Lopez, surviving spouse of the decedent, residing at 412 Maple Street, Royal Oak, MI 48067, petition the court as follows.
Nuance. A nominated personal representative under a copy of an unsigned will still has standing under MCL 700.2517(1), even without the signed original.
Common mistake and consequence. Filers write only “daughter” instead of “interested person and heir at law.” The judge may sign anyway, but the bank can refuse to honor the order if the relationship is ambiguous.
Misconception. People believe only blood relatives qualify. A creditor with a security interest in the box, or a funeral director seeking a burial deed, also qualifies.
Paragraph 2: Decedent’s Identity, Date of Death, and Domicile
Plain English. This proves the person is dead and that the court has jurisdiction.
How to answer. Write the decedent’s full legal name, date of death in MM/DD/YYYY format, and the county and state of domicile at death.
Example entry. Robert James Smith died on 03/14/2026, while domiciled at 412 Maple Street, Royal Oak, Oakland County, Michigan.
Nuance. “Domicile” is not the same as where the person was physically located when they died. A snowbird who died in Florida but kept a Michigan home was still domiciled in Michigan.
Common mistake and consequence. Filers list a hospital address as the domicile. The court may transfer venue, costing days.
Misconception. People think the death certificate’s “place of death” line proves domicile. It does not — the “residence” line does.
Paragraph 3: Name and Address of the Financial Institution
Plain English. This identifies the bank and branch holding the box.
How to answer. Write the bank’s full legal name (e.g., JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., not just “Chase”), the branch street address, city, and ZIP. Cross-check with the FDIC BankFind tool.
Example entry. JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., 200 N. Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, MI 48009.
Nuance. If the bank has merged (TCF into Huntington, for example), use the current legal name. The order must match the entity that exists today.
Common mistake and consequence. Filers write the corporate headquarters address instead of the branch. Branch staff will refuse to act because the order does not name their location.
Misconception. People believe a credit union counts as a “financial institution.” It does — MCL 700.1106(n) defines the term broadly.
Paragraph 4: Safe Deposit Box Number and Lessee Information
Plain English. This pinpoints the exact box.
How to answer. Write the box number exactly as it appears on the lease or key tag. Then list every name on the lease.
Example entry. Safe deposit box number 1187, leased in the name of Robert James Smith, sole lessee.
Nuance. If the box is jointly leased, the co-lessee already has access and you may not need the order — but a smart filer still gets one to protect against later challenges.
Common mistake and consequence. Filers guess at the box number. The bank will refuse to open any box, and you will need an amended order.
Misconception. People think the bank will tell them the box number over the phone. Federal privacy rules and bank policy generally bar that disclosure without a court order.
Paragraph 5: Purpose of the Petition
Plain English. This is where you tell the court why you want the box opened.
How to answer. Check the box (or write the language) for one or more of the three permitted purposes: locating a will, locating a deed to a burial plot, or locating an insurance policy on the decedent’s life.
Example entry. Petitioner has reason to believe the box contains the decedent’s last will and testament and a deed to a burial plot.
Nuance. You may list more than one purpose. Listing all three preserves your options if the box turns out to contain a different combination.
Common mistake and consequence. Filers list “personal effects” or “jewelry.” The judge will strike that language, because MCL 700.2517 limits removal to those three items.
Misconception. People think a court order under PC 651 lets them empty the box. It does not — only the three statutory items may leave that day.
Paragraph 6: Names and Addresses of Interested Persons
Plain English. This lists everyone with a legal stake in the estate.
How to answer. List the surviving spouse, every heir at law under MCL 700.2103, and any nominated personal representative from a known will copy.
Example entry. Maria Lopez, surviving spouse, 412 Maple Street, Royal Oak, MI 48067; David Smith, adult son, 88 Elm Lane, Ferndale, MI 48220.
Nuance. Minor heirs are listed by name with a guardian’s address. Estranged heirs still must be listed.
Common mistake and consequence. Filers omit a half-sibling or stepchild they “don’t talk to.” That omission can invalidate the order under MCR 5.125.
Misconception. People believe only people named in the will count. Heirs at law count even when disinherited.
Paragraph 7: Request for Relief
Plain English. This tells the judge exactly what order you want signed.
How to answer. Use the pre-printed language asking the court to direct the financial institution to open the box in the petitioner’s presence and deliver any will, burial deed, or life insurance policy found inside.
Example entry. Petitioner requests an order directing JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. to open box 1187 in petitioner’s presence and deliver any document described in MCL 700.2517.
Nuance. Some judges add language requiring a bank officer to inventory the contents. You can request that explicitly.
Common mistake and consequence. Filers ask for “all contents.” The judge will line that out and may make you refile.
Misconception. People think they can ask for cash or jewelry to be released. They cannot under PC 651.
Paragraph 8: Verification and Oath
Plain English. This is your sworn statement that everything above is true.
How to answer. Sign and date in front of a notary or the court clerk. Print your name below the signature.
Example entry. Petitioner signs Maria Lopez, dates 03/22/2026, and the notary stamps the jurat.
Nuance. Michigan court clerks can administer the oath for free at the filing counter — no notary fee needed.
Common mistake and consequence. Filers sign at home without a notary. The clerk will reject the petition.
Misconception. People think a remote online notary works. Michigan allows remote online notarization, but the probate clerk’s free oath is faster.
Order Section: Judge’s Findings and Directive
Plain English. The bottom half of PC 651 is the order itself.
How to answer. Leave the judge’s signature line blank. Fill in the bank name, branch address, and box number again so the order is self-contained. Type the date as blank/blank/2026 and let the judge complete it.
Example entry. IT IS ORDERED that JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., 200 N. Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, MI 48009, shall open box 1187 in the presence of Maria Lopez and deliver any will, deed to a burial plot, or life insurance policy found therein.
Nuance. Some counties pre-stamp the judge’s name. Do not type over it.
Common mistake and consequence. Filers sign the judge’s line. The clerk will reject the order outright.
Misconception. People think the order is effective when filed. It is effective only when signed by the judge and certified by the clerk.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Scenario 1 — Maria Lopez, Surviving Spouse (Oakland County)
| Form Section | What Maria Enters |
|---|---|
| Court caption | STATE OF MICHIGAN, PROBATE COURT, COUNTY OF OAKLAND |
| Estate caption | Estate of Robert James Smith, Deceased |
| Petitioner identity (¶1) | Maria Lopez, surviving spouse, 412 Maple St., Royal Oak, MI 48067 |
| Decedent info (¶2) | Robert James Smith died 03/14/2026, domiciled in Oakland County, Michigan |
| Financial institution (¶3) | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., 200 N. Woodward Ave., Birmingham, MI 48009 |
| Box number (¶4) | Box 1187, sole lessee Robert James Smith |
| Purpose (¶5) | Locate last will and burial deed |
| Interested persons (¶6) | Maria Lopez (spouse); David Smith (adult son) |
| Verification (¶8) | Signed Maria Lopez, sworn before Oakland County clerk on 03/22/2026 |
| Filing fee | $25 paid by debit card at counter |
Scenario 2 — David Chen, Adult Child of Sudden-Death Parent (Wayne County)
| Form Section | What David Enters |
|---|---|
| Court caption | STATE OF MICHIGAN, PROBATE COURT, COUNTY OF WAYNE |
| Estate caption | Estate of Linda Chen, Deceased |
| Petitioner identity (¶1) | David Chen, adult son and heir at law, 1820 Cass Ave., Detroit, MI 48201 |
| Decedent info (¶2) | Linda Chen died 04/02/2026, domiciled in Wayne County, Michigan |
| Financial institution (¶3) | Comerica Bank, 411 W. Lafayette Blvd., Detroit, MI 48226 |
| Box number (¶4) | Box 552, sole lessee Linda Chen |
| Purpose (¶5) | Locate last will, burial deed, and life insurance policy |
| Interested persons (¶6) | David Chen (son); Emily Chen (daughter); Mark Chen (estranged son) |
| Verification (¶8) | Signed David Chen, oath taken at MiFile-supported counter 04/05/2026 |
| Filing channel | E-filed via MiFile with $25 fee |
Scenario 3 — Reverend Thomas Boone, Named Personal Representative (Kent County)
| Form Section | What Thomas Enters |
|---|---|
| Court caption | STATE OF MICHIGAN, PROBATE COURT, COUNTY OF KENT |
| Estate caption | Estate of Margaret Boone, Deceased |
| Petitioner identity (¶1) | Thomas Boone, nominated personal representative under copy of will, 77 Fulton St., Grand Rapids, MI 49503 |
| Decedent info (¶2) | Margaret Boone died 05/10/2026, domiciled in Kent County, Michigan |
| Financial institution (¶3) | Fifth Third Bank, N.A., 111 Lyon St. NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 |
| Box number (¶4) | Box 209, lessees Margaret Boone and Thomas Boone (deceased co-lessee already removed) |
| Purpose (¶5) | Locate signed original will and burial deed for Rosedale Memorial Gardens |
| Interested persons (¶6) | Thomas Boone (brother and nominee); Sarah Boone-Hayes (daughter) |
| Verification (¶8) | Signed Thomas Boone, sworn before Kent County clerk 05/12/2026 |
| Outcome | Burial deed delivered same day; funeral held 05/14/2026 |
How to File the Completed Form
You have four filing channels in Michigan, and the right one depends on the county.
In person. Take the signed petition, the certified death certificate, your ID, and the filing fee to the probate court counter in the county of domicile. Wayne County’s counter is at the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center. Oakland County’s counter is at 1200 N. Telegraph Road in Pontiac. The clerk will swear you in for free, file-stamp the petition, route it to a duty judge, and usually return a signed order the same business day. Keep the certified order for the bank.
By mail. Mail the original petition, a self-addressed stamped envelope, a check for the statutory $25 fee, and a notarized verification page. Mail filings take 5–10 business days. Use certified mail with return receipt as your proof of filing.
By e-filing through MiFile. In counties that have adopted e-filing, you must use MiFile. Create an account, upload the completed PDF, pay the $25 fee plus a small e-filing convenience charge by credit card, and download the signed order from your dashboard once the judge signs it. Processing is typically same-day or next business day.
By fax. A handful of rural counties still accept faxed filings under local administrative orders, but the original must follow by mail within 14 days. Confirm with the county clerk’s office before faxing.
Whatever channel you pick, walk the certified order to the bank yourself or send it by tracked courier. Most Michigan banks will schedule the box opening within 48 hours of receiving the order.
What Happens After You File
Once the petition is filed, the duty probate judge reviews it for facial validity — correct venue, complete interested-persons list, and a permitted purpose. Most judges sign PC 651 orders without a hearing because the statute allows ex parte relief. The clerk then certifies one or more copies for a small per-page fee, usually $1 to $3 per page under the SCAO court fee schedule.
You take the certified order to the named branch. Bank policy across Huntington, PNC, and Chase requires a bank officer and the petitioner to inventory the contents on a written form. The officer hands over only the will, the burial deed, and any life insurance policy. Everything else stays in the box and is later inventoried by the personal representative under MCL 700.3706.
If the petition is denied or sent back for corrections, the clerk will issue a notice of deficiency. You have 21 days under MCR 2.108 to cure the defect without paying a new fee.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
- Filing in the wrong county. Result: venue transfer, lost days, possible second fee.
- Listing only some interested persons. Result: order may be void and bank may refuse it.
- Using the bank’s headquarters instead of the branch. Result: branch staff refuse to act on the order.
- Leaving the box number blank or guessing. Result: bank rejects the order; you must amend.
- Asking for “all contents.” Result: judge strikes the request and may force a refile.
- Skipping the notary or clerk’s oath. Result: clerk rejects the petition at the counter.
- Signing the judge’s line. Result: order is voided and you start over.
- Using an outdated form revision. Result: clerk rejects it because the SCAO bar code does not match.
- Forgetting the certified death certificate. Result: petition sits unfiled until you produce one.
- Paying the fee in cash at a county that requires card or check. Result: petition not accepted.
- Listing the wrong decedent name format. Result: bank cannot match its records and refuses access.
- Missing a stepchild or half-sibling on the heirs list. Result: omitted heir can later void the order.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do’s
- Do download PC 651 fresh from the SCAO PC 651 page every time, because revisions roll out without notice.
- Do call the branch before filing to confirm the bank’s exact legal name and box number — small confirmations prevent big delays.
- Do bring two forms of ID, because some clerks require both a primary and secondary ID.
- Do request at least three certified copies of the signed order, since the bank, the funeral home, and your records each need one.
- Do list every heir at law, even estranged ones, because omissions can void the order.
- Do keep a photocopy of the petition and a screenshot of the MiFile receipt for your files.
Don’ts
- Don’t sign at home unless a notary is present, because the clerk’s free oath is faster and bulletproof.
- Don’t write “personal effects” anywhere on the form, because the statute does not allow removal of those items.
- Don’t fax the petition unless the county explicitly accepts faxes, because most do not.
- Don’t bring children to the filing counter on a busy morning, because the oath ceremony requires your full attention.
- Don’t use white-out or correction tape on the form, because clerks routinely reject altered petitions.
- Don’t wait more than a week after death to file if a burial deed is in the box, because funeral timelines depend on it.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
Pros of filing pro se
- You save $300 to $1,200 in attorney fees, which can matter to a grieving family.
- You move faster because no scheduling delay between you and the court.
- You learn the probate system early, which helps with the full estate later.
- You keep family disputes private, since no third party reviews your filings.
- You retain full control of timing and strategy.
Cons of filing pro se
- You bear the full risk of a procedural mistake that delays the burial deed.
- You may miss an interested person whom an attorney would catch through a heir search.
- You handle the bank conversation alone, which can be intimidating in some branches.
- You may not know to request additional language a judge would otherwise add.
- You lose the malpractice safety net an attorney provides.
A useful comparison if you are weighing channels:
| Filing Channel | Best For |
|---|---|
| In person at probate court | Same-day signed order, free oath at counter, urgent burial deed needs |
| MiFile e-filing | Filers comfortable with PDFs, counties with mandatory e-filing, after-hours filing |
| Rural counties without e-filing, filers who cannot travel, non-urgent matters | |
| Fax | Rare counties under local administrative orders only, with mailed original to follow |
FAQs
Is Form PC 651 the same as a small estate affidavit?
No. PC 651 only authorizes opening a safe deposit box for three specific items, while a small estate affidavit (PC 598) transfers an entire small estate.
Do I need an attorney to file PC 651?
No. The form is designed for pro se filers, and most Michigan probate courts approve unrepresented petitions within one business day.
Can a co-lessee with survivorship rights skip PC 651?
Yes. A surviving co-lessee already has contractual access to the box, but many still file PC 651 to create a clean record before the estate is opened.
Do I write the decedent’s nickname or legal name in the estate caption?
No. Use the legal name from the death certificate first, then add a/k/a [nickname] if the bank’s records show the nickname.
Do I list estranged heirs in Paragraph 6?
Yes. Every heir at law under MCL 700.2103 must be listed, even if you have not spoken to them in years.
Should I write the bank’s headquarters or branch address in Paragraph 3?
No to headquarters. Use the exact branch address where the box sits, because the order names that location.
Do I sign the judge’s signature line if I am in a hurry?
No. Only the probate judge signs that line; signing it yourself voids the order.
Can I open the box on a Saturday after the order is signed?
No. Most Michigan bank vaults are closed on weekends, so plan for a weekday appointment.
Is the $25 filing fee waivable?
Yes. File a PC 681 Fee Waiver with proof of public assistance or income below 125% of the federal poverty line.
Can a funeral director file PC 651?
Yes. A funeral director searching for a burial deed has standing as an interested person, and most Michigan probate courts grant the petition the same day.
Will the bank let me take jewelry or cash from the box?
No. Only a will, a burial-plot deed, and a life insurance policy may leave under MCL 700.2517.
Do I need a hearing before the judge signs?
No. PC 651 is granted ex parte in nearly all Michigan counties, so no hearing is required.
Can I e-file PC 651 in every Michigan county?
No. Only counties phased into MiFile accept e-filing; smaller counties still require paper filings.
Does the order expire if I do not use it right away?
Yes. Most Michigan banks treat a PC 651 order as stale after 90 days and will require a new certified copy or a fresh order.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out Michigan Form PC 577 (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
- How to Fill Out Michigan Form PC 581 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Michigan Form PC 587 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Michigan Form PC 570 (w/Examples) + FAQs