How to Find Pennsylvania Death Records

How to Find United States Deaths  Pennsylvania Deaths

Statewide registration for Pennsylvania deaths began in 1906. Prior to the state keeping death records counties kept death records beginning in 1893.

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Next Step: When did the death occur?

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 * Death Records
 * Choose a time period:


 * Deaths before 1852
 * Deaths 1852-1854
 * Deaths 1855-1892
 * Deaths 1893-1905
 * Deaths 1906-1962
 * Deaths 1963-Present
 * Death year unknown


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Deaths before 1852
Pennsylvania did not record deaths on a state level until 1906. Prior to 1906 some attempts were made to record deaths but these were usually done on the county level and not until about 1893. To determine a date of death for an individual church and cemetery records are the primary records to search. There are also substitute records which can be searched when there is an absence of death records.

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Deaths 1852-1854
1852-1854 - grouped by county and record type, then arranged by certificate number, these records of death were kept by the Register of Wills for each county with returns sent to the Department of State. These returns are available for 49 of the 64 counties existing at that time; however, they are not complete for each county. Digital images of the records along with a search capability are available at www.ancestry.com. Film copies of the birth records can also be found at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.

If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases below try searching for death information in other records.

For deaths that exist during the time period, try the following databases.

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Deaths 1855-1892
Prior to 1852 the state of Pennsylvania did not record statewide deaths. Search church, cemetery and probate records in the area where the individual died to determine the death date for an individual. You must search substitute records to locate your ancestor’s death date and place.

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Deaths 1893-1905
1893-1905 - Deaths were recorded by the Clerk of Orphans Court at each county courthouse. While the State Archives holds microfilm copies of these records for some counties for use by on-site researchers, inquiries should be directed to the courthouse of the county in which the death occurred. These records are not complete. Microfilm copies of some records can also be found at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.

For addresses and phone numbers for Pennsylvania courthouses websites use this link.

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Deaths 1906-1962
1906 began the period of state wide registration for deaths. Currently death certificates 1906-1962 are available at the State Archives. The certificates may be reviewed in person during public research hours, Wednesday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

An index is available on the website of the Division of Vital Records and at the Pennsylvania Archives. Researchers will be limited to ten certificates per day for records with known file numbers. No telephone or e-mail requests in advance of one's visit to the Archives will be accepted. Researchers should plan to allow a minimum of 20-40 minutes for retrieval of these records.

Currently records for this time period are being scanned by Ancestry and should appear on their website by the end of 2013.

Copies of death certificates may be requested by mail using the Mail Reference Order Form. If the name of the person and the date of birth or death are known, the fee is $15.00 per name for requests from Pennsylvania residents, $25.00 per name for requests from outside Pennsylvania. The birth or death certificate number also will be useful in research. The research charge is $50.00 per name per hour if only the name is provided.

Uncertified copies of death certificates, 1906-present, also may be obtained from the Division of Vital Records for a fee of $3.00 per record.

To apply for a certified copy of a death certificate from 1906 to the present there is a $9 fee for each certified copy. You may download the application form for mail and in-person requests. Be certain to indicate on the application form the intended use of the certified copy is for genealogical research. Applicants may provide additional information not requested on the application form on a separate sheet of paper. If a genealogist is retained by a city/county/state office who has assumed administration of an estate, a letter signed by an official of the city/county/state office is required indicating for what purpose they retained the services of the genealogist and identify whose estate is involved.

For certified copies of death certificates, 1906-present, and for death records that have not been transferred to the State Archives, contact: Division of Vital Records ATTN: Public Records P.O. Box 1528 New Castle, PA 16103 Phone: (724) 656-3100.

PART B: You don't know the exact date of death

If you do not know the exact date or place of death: For a fee, the West Virginia Department of Health office will do a 3 year search (click on the death certificates tab).

See list of restrictions for ordering death records

If you do not want to order the death record, you can search other records with death information. Return to top: Choose another death year

Deaths 1963-Present
West Virginia did not exist at this time and was known as the state of Virginia.Before 1853, no deaths were recorded by the county or state. You must search substitute records to locate your ancestor’s death date and place.

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Who May Request a Death Certificate?
Only certain people can request a death certificate. You must be:


 * Legal representative of decedent's estate
 * Immediate family member
 * Extended family member who indicates a direct relationship to the decedent
 * Power of Attorney (Please note that a Power of Attorney document is no longer valid upon the death of the individual)

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