Entre Archivos

Judicial and probate records

Inventories of deceased persons’ estates, estate divisions, intestate proceedings, probate files (mortuales), and lawsuits over land, dowries, and debts. They name heirs, sometimes in Spain and the Americas at the same time, and can reconstruct three generations.

How to use them

  • Search by the name of the deceased and by the court that had jurisdiction over the place.
  • Indexes of probate files (mortuales) or probate (sucesiones) lead straight to the case file.
  • Use them to prove parentage when the baptism record is missing.

Where to find them, country by country

99 collections in 18 countries, verified as of 4 November 2026. Each country links to its own page, with notes and bibliography.

Guatemala

  • Bienes de difuntos, de la Capitanía General de Guatemala 1551-1821 (1551–1821). AGCA. In person, with authorization, Online with free account, Restricted online
  • Testamentos, 1610-1781 (1610–1781). AGCA. Online with free account, Restricted online
  • Bienes de difuntos, de Centro América (Capitanía General de Guatemala) 1638-1713 (1638–1713). AGCA. Online with free account, Restricted online
  • Expedientes fenecidos del Archivo General de Tribunales (20th century–present (to be confirmed)). OJ (GT-INST-0010). In person, with authorization, Legally restricted
  • Juicios de intestados, 1892-1935 (AGCA) (1892–1935). AGCA. Online with free account, Restricted online
  • Títulos supletorios, 1883-1937 (AGCA) (1883–1937). AGCA. Online with free account, Restricted online
  • Disputas matrimoniales, divorcios y causas matrimoniales, 1603-1895 (AGCA) (1603–1895). AGCA. Online with free account, Restricted online

Mexico

  • Inquisición (ramo) (Colonial (exact dates to be confirmed)). AGN. Free online
  • Tierras (ramo) (Colonial–19th century (to be confirmed)). AGN. Free online
  • Vínculos y Mayorazgos (1593–1821, some up to 1826–1827). AGN (Instituciones Coloniales group and loose files in Indiferente Virreinal). In person, with authorization
  • Indiferente Virreinal (fondo de expedientes sueltos por cajas) (Colonial (about 780 linear m are from New Spain)). AGN. In person, with authorization
  • Archivo Judicial de la SCJN (expedientes de amparo y federales) (19th–20th century). SCJN. Free online

Peru

  • Real Audiencia (de Lima) (16th century–1821 (the date field is empty in AtoM)). AGN. Free online
  • Corte Superior de Justicia – Causas Civiles (19th century onward (dates not given)). AGN. Free online, In person, free, In person, with authorization
  • Inquisición de Lima – Procesos de fe y Pleitos civiles relativos a Lima (microfilmes de la FHL) (1564–1804 (lawsuits)). Originals at the AHN (Madrid) and at the AGN. Restricted online
  • Manuscritos de la BNP (encomiendas, expedientes judiciales, dotes, actas de cabildo, registros de escribanos de Lima, Arequipa y Cuzco; documentos militares) (Colonial and republican). BNP. In person, free, In person, with authorization
  • Archivo Arzobispal de Lima – causas de divorcio y nulidad; testamentos; capellanías y obras pías; visitas; diezmos (From 1543 (FHL)). Archivo Arzobispal de Lima. In person, with authorization
  • AGI – sección Audiencia de Lima (cartas, expedientes; por ejemplo LIMA,721,N.53, con 2 imágenes) (16th–19th centuries). AGI / PARES. Free online

Colombia

  • Sección Colonia, fondo Genealogías (1565–1810 (6 vols., nos. 1234–1239)). AGN. In person, free, In person, with authorization, Free online, Online with free account
  • Sección Colonia, fondo Testamentarias (1552–1852 (223 vols.)). AGN. In person, free, In person, with authorization, Free online, Online with free account
  • Sección Colonia, fondo Tierras (1552–1826 (217 vols.)). AGN. In person, free, In person, with authorization, Free online, Online with free account
  • Sección Colonia, fondos Civiles y Criminales (juicios) (Civil 1549–1820 (177 vols.); Criminal 1551–1824 (218 vols.)). AGN. In person, free, In person, with authorization, Free online, Online with free account
  • Sección Colonia, fondo Caciques e Indios (1543–1809 (78 vols.)). AGN. In person, free, In person, with authorization, Free online, Online with free account
  • Sección Colonia, fondo Negros y Esclavos (1553–1818 (56 vols.)). AGN. In person, free, In person, with authorization, Free online, Online with free account
  • Sección Colonia, fondos Real Audiencia y Residencias (Real Audiencia 1551–1832 (42 vols.); Residencias 1550–1810 (65 vols.)). AGN. In person, free, In person, with authorization, Free online, Online with free account
  • Audiencia de Santa Fe (Sección Gobierno) (16th–19th century (to be confirmed)). Archivo General de Indias / PARES. Free online

Argentina

  • Sucesiones (expedientes sucesorios) (1630-1900). AGN (received from the archive of the Poder Judicial de la Nación, generally up to 1900). In person, free, On request
  • Juzgado de Bienes de Difuntos y Pertenencias Extrañas (Colonial (dates to be confirmed)). AGN, División Colonia. In person, free
  • Real Audiencia de Buenos Aires (1783-1810 (according to the institution; to be confirmed)). AGN. In person, free
  • Real Tribunal del Consulado (Tribunal Comercial, Escribanía de Comercio) (Colonial and early national period). AGN. In person, free
  • Juzgado en lo Civil (Sucesiones), Juzgado de Comercio, Juzgado del Crimen (19th century (to be confirmed)). AGN, Tribunales. In person, free
  • Departamento Archivo Intermedio (incluye Registro de apoderados del Archivo de la Corte Suprema; fondos de empresas del Estado) (1862-2016). AGN. To be confirmed
  • Expedientes judiciales nacionales no destruibles (sucesiones, quiebras, insanias, cartas de ciudadanía) (From 1869 (Ley 346) for the certificates; other files to be confirmed). Archivo General del Poder Judicial de la Nación (Capital) and the archives of each federal court or chamber in the provinces. In person, with authorization, On request
  • Causas civiles archivadas o paralizadas, 1863-1899 (1863-1899). Archivo del Poder Judicial de la Nación (civil archive, Av. de los Inmigrantes 1950). In person, with authorization

Chile

  • Real Audiencia (1600-1830 (3,252 books; 149.06 m)). ANH. In person, free, In person, with authorization
  • Fondos judiciales de primera instancia (Judicial de Santiago y otros) (1571-1924 (Santiago, 3,756 boxes); whole group 1571-2001 (5,583.75 m)). ANH. In person, free, In person, with authorization
  • Judicial Administrativo de Arica (1598-1893 (7 boxes)). ANH. In person, free, In person, with authorization
  • Tribunal de la Inquisición de Lima (1518-1822 (512 books)). ANH. In person, free, In person, with authorization
  • Tribunales militares y navales (1860-1985 (for example, Militar de Santiago 1912-1948; Naval de la Escuadra 1860-1971)). ARNAD. In person, with authorization, Legally restricted

El Salvador

  • Fondo Judicial (1830-1965). AGN. Closed
  • Testamentos, 1610-1781 (en el catálogo: bienes de difuntos de El Salvador y Nicaragua) (1610-1781). AGCA. Online with free account, Restricted online
  • Bienes de difuntos (1554-1821). AGCA. Online with free account, Restricted online
  • Disputas matrimoniales (1638-1810). AGCA. Online with free account, Restricted online
  • Microfilme del AGCA, 1544-1821 (proyecto McMaster, 1969-1978) (1544-1821). Ross Publishing / McMaster University. Fee-based

Honduras

  • Fondo Colonial (Gobernación/Intendencia de Comayagua y Alcaldía Mayor de Tegucigalpa) (16th century–1821). ANH. In person, free
  • Títulos de Tierras (Colonial and republican (no exact dates)). ANH, Unidad de Títulos de Tierras. On request, Fee-based
  • Tierras y propiedades, 1570-1820 (Capitanía General de Guatemala) (1570-1820). AGCA; microfilm at FS. Online with free account
  • Bienes de difuntos, de Centro América (Capitanía General de Guatemala), 1638-1713 (1638-1713). AGCA; microfilm at FS. Online with free account
  • Bienes de difuntos, de la Capitanía General de Guatemala, 1551-1821 (1551-1821). AGCA; microfilm at FS. Online with free account
  • Fondos coloniales del AGCA relativos a Honduras (signaturas por gaveta, microfilm Ross Publishing) (1544-1821). AGCA; CRL. On request, In person, free

Nicaragua

  • Boletín Judicial (sentencias de la Corte Suprema) (At least 1995 and 1999 (PDF); full range to be confirmed). Biblioteca Enrique Bolaños. Free online
  • Fondo Sentencias y expedientes en materia civil (1913-2006 (Sentencias)). Archivo de la Corte Suprema de Justicia. In person, with authorization
  • Testamentos, 1610-1781 (en las notas de película: "Bienes de difuntos") (1610-1781). AGCA / FamilySearch. Online with free account, Restricted online
  • Registros civiles, de Centroamérica 1571-1915 (en realidad, informaciones matrimoniales) (1571-1915). AGCA / FamilySearch. Online with free account, Restricted online
  • Bienes de difuntos, de la Capitanía General de Guatemala 1551-1821 / Bienes de difuntos, de Centro América 1638-1713 (1551-1821; 1638-1713). AGCA / FamilySearch. To be confirmed
  • Disputas matrimoniales (dato del coordinador) (No data). AGCA. To be confirmed
  • Archivo General de Centro América, [1544-1821], microfilm (Ross Publishing) — sección Nicaragua (1544-1821). CRL. On request

Costa Rica

  • Complementario Colonial (colección 4) (1517–1821). ANCR. In person, free
  • Mortuales Coloniales (fondo público 72) (1641–1830). ANCR. In person, free, Online with free account, Restricted online
  • Mortuales Independientes (Provincias) (fondo público 73) (1830–1899). ANCR. In person, free
  • Judicial (fondo público 45) (1823–1955). ANCR. In person, free, Legally restricted
  • Corte Suprema de Justicia (fondo público 18) (1862–1934). ANCR. In person, free, Legally restricted
  • Sección Costa Rica del AGCA (microfilm, rollos 1212B–1241B) (1544–1821). AGCA / CRL. In person, free, Fee-based

Panama

  • Sección Jurídica, Grupo Civil (More than 125,000 files from before 1916). AN. In person, free
  • Sección Jurídica, Grupo Penal (About 56,000 files from before 1958). AN. In person, free, In person, with authorization
  • Fondo Corte Suprema: Juzgado 1.º del Circuito de Panamá, Ramo Civil (1851–1934). AN. In person, free, Free online
  • Juzgado Segundo Municipal de Panamá (1852–1962). AN. In person, free
  • Registro Judicial (1889– (Colombian period until 2 November 1903; republic from 14 December 1903)). Órgano Judicial (Biblioteca Rodrigo Molina Amuy). In person, free
  • Tribunales de la Zona del Canal (divorcios, adopciones, casos civiles y penales) (To be confirmed). NARA / Atlanta Federal Records Center. On request, Fee-based, Legally restricted

Dominican Republic

  • Copias digitales del AGI, sección Santo Domingo (y Justicia, Escribanía, Contaduría, Contratación) (From the late 15th to the 18th century). AGN (originals at the AGI). Free online
  • Catálogo de víctimas, 1930-1961 (1930-1961). AGN (with IBERARCHIVOS). Free online

Venezuela

  • Sección Reales Provisiones (1628–1821 (64 vols., 6,501 docs.)). AGN. In person, with authorization
  • Sección Limpieza de Sangre (Citations from 1716 to 1785; BYU gives 1609–1820 for "Pureza de sangre"). AGN. In person, with authorization
  • Sección Disensos y Matrimonios (Some cases from 1793; date range to be confirmed). AGN. In person, with authorization
  • Sección Causas de Infidencia (Independence period (dates to be confirmed)). AGN. In person, with authorization
  • Sección Diversos (To be confirmed). AGN. In person, with authorization
  • Sección Causas de Residencia (To be confirmed). AGN. In person, with authorization
  • Sección Abogados de la Colonia (18th century). AGN. In person, with authorization
  • Sección Tierras Baldías (1798–1903 (volumes A1–L2)). AGN. In person, with authorization, Free online
  • See all 13 collections for Venezuela

Ecuador

  • Fondo Notarial – sede zonal de Tungurahua (Notarías 1.ª, 2.ª y 3.ª de Ambato; 1.ª de Píllaro; Pelileo) (1604–1949 (lawsuits from 1624 to 1960)). EC-INST-0001 (Ambato regional office). In person, free, In person, with authorization
  • Fondo Corte Suprema (secciones, p. ej. «Hospitales») (From 1598 (box 1: 1598–1701)). EC-INST-0001. In person, with authorization
  • Fondo Popayán (Sección General) (Colonial). EC-INST-0001. In person, with authorization

Bolivia

  • Fondo Documental de la Real Audiencia de La Plata (RALP) / "Expedientes Coloniales" (1561–1825). ABNB. In person, free, In person, with authorization
  • Fondo judicial – Corte Superior del Distrito Judicial de La Paz (16th–20th century). ALP. In person, with authorization

Paraguay

  • Sección Nueva Encuadernación (SNE) (16th–19th century (e.g., 1615–1626; 1674; 1783)). ANA. Free online, Online with free account
  • Sección Propiedades y Testamentos (To be confirmed). ANA. Online with free account, In person, free
  • Sección Civil y Judicial (16th–19th century (the oldest, 1593)). ANA. Free online, In person, free
  • Sección Judicial Criminal (SJC) (Before 1870). ANA. In person, free
  • Archivo de Educación («Documentos de la Administración de Justicia y Educación») (To be confirmed). ANA. Free online, In person, free

Uruguay

  • Fondo Poder Judicial: expedientes judiciales (incluye la serie Civil 1.º, ex Cabildo) (18th century (Cabildos) to the 1990s). AGN (AH and AJ). In person, with authorization, On request
  • Fondo Tribunales Militares (To be confirmed (the AJ covers 1730-2003)). AGN (AJ). In person, with authorization, On request

Belize

  • Estates/Probates (Probates & Administration) (1804–2000). BARS (provenance: General Registry). In person, free
  • Court Suits (1790–1990). BARS. In person, free
  • Meetings of Magistrates (1796–1853). BARS. In person, free

Other record types: Notarial records (protocols) · Judicial records and probate (sucesiones) · Marriage dispensations and prenuptial investigations · Census and tax lists (padrones) and censuses · Military records · Migration · Historical newspapers and official gazettes · Private archives and images · Indexes and derivative works