After the personal representative has qualified and Letters have issued, the Register will issue "short certificates" (so-called because of the half-sheet size of paper), which evidence the appointment and capacity of the executor or administrator. Short certificates are issued as promptly as the petition for Letters may be processed and the decree granting Letters executed. Short certificates may be ordered either at the time of probate or thereafter. The current cost is $5.00 each and a short certificate will generally be honored by third parties for a period of 90 days from the issue date.

Generally, the Register will not issue a short certificate if more than nine months have elapsed since the date Letters were granted unless an Inventory has been filed. The Inventory requirement is discussed further in Chapter 6