Search for Death Records in Pennsylvania

Before 1852

When Pennsylvania began keeping death records on a state-wide scale in 1906, it was considered a pioneering step. There were sporadic attempts to record fatalities prior to 1906, but they were usually done on a county level and not until approximately 1893 that they became a national phenomenon. When seeking to determine the date of death of an individual, the most important data to look for are church and cemetery records, among others. Alternatively, if no death records are available, alternative records may be checked in an attempt to locate the person who passed away.

1852 to 1854

For the first time, Pennsylvania has maintained track of all of its residents’ deaths on a statewide basis. Prior to 1906, there were sporadic attempts to keep track of fatalities, but they were mainly done at the county level and did not begin until about 1893. If you’re trying to figure out when someone died, church and cemetery records are usually the most dependable sources to consult. Additional records can be searched to fill in the gaps in information if a death record is not readily available.

1855 to 1892

Before the year 1852, Pennsylvania did not exactly keep account of all of the fatalities that occurred among its residents. Look up a person’s details in the local church, cemetery, and probate records in the area where they died to find out when they died and how they died. In order to determine the date and location of your ancestor’s death, you must look into alternative sources of documentation.

1893 to 1905

At each county courthouse, which served as a centralized site, the Clerk of Orphans Court entered death records for the deceased. While the State Archives maintains microfilm copies of these data for a few counties that can be examined by on-site researchers, inquiries should be directed to the county courthouse in the county where the death occurred, not the State Archives, to ensure that the records are accurate. The information contained in these entries is not comprehensive. Microfilm copies of some of the records you require can be obtained at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah, as well as other locations.

1906 to 1966

1906 heralded the beginning of the era of state-wide death registration, which lasted until the present day. A collection of death certificates from 1906 to 1966 is now on display at the State Archives of California in Sacramento. Public research hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m on Wednesdays through Fridays, and the certificates can be seen in person during that time period. Alternatively, a searchable index to these documents can be found on the Division of Vital Records’ website and at the Pennsylvania Archives. The Archives will allow researchers to obtain a total of 10 certificates for records with known file numbers per day when they come to the premises to conduct research in person. The Archives will not accept requests made by phone or email in advance of a visit. Researchers should expect to spend at least 20-40 minutes obtaining these materials, if not more, in order to complete the task successfully.

1964 to Present

Although public access to death data for this time period is available, there is no searchable web index available for this time period. The date of death of an individual must be determined by alternative records before a death certificate can be ordered for that individual.