Pennsylvania Vital Records: Difference between revisions

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Revision as of 12:23, 20 July 2025

Pennsylvania Wiki Topics

Beginning Research

Record Types

Pennsylvania Background

Cultural Groups

Local Research Resources

Pennsylvania Vital Records Dates[edit | edit source]

Government Registration	Births	Marriages	Deaths
County/Town	1852-54, 1893	1852-54, 1885	1852-54, 1893
Statewide Registration	January 1906	None	January 1906
See Coverage and Compliance for details

Online Resources[edit | edit source]

Births[edit | edit source]

1520-1999 Pennsylvania, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Births and Baptisms, 1520-1999 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images
1675-1875 Complete Name Index to Early Pennsylvania Births, 1675-1875 at FamilySearch Catalog(*) microfilm 1597740 Item 6; At various libraries (WorldCat);^[1]
1709-1950 Pennsylvania Births and Christenings, 1709-1950 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index
1791-1815 Old German Midwife's Records, 1791-1815(*) at FamilySearch Catalog — images^[2]
1852-1854 Pennsylvania Births, 1852-1854 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
1852-1854 Pennsylvania, Secretary of the Commonwealth, Births, Marriages, and Deaths, 1852-1854(*) at FamilySearch Catalog — index and images^[3]
1905-1915 Birth Indices at Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission — images
1906-1914 Pennsylvania State Archives Birth Index 1906-1914.
1906-1915 Pennsylvania Birth Certificates, 1906-most currently released at Ancestry — index & images ($)
1941-1976 Pennsylvania Delayed Birth Records, 1941-1976 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images

Marriages[edit | edit source]

Pre-1699 American Marriages Before 1699 at Ancestry — index ($)
Pre-1810 Record of Pennsylvania Marriages, Prior to 1810, by Pennsylvania Archives. Baltimore: Genealogical Pub. Co., 1968. 2 v. FS Catalog fiche 6049248-9; At various libraries (WorldCat); Online at: Google Books (vol. 1 only)^[4]
1512-1989 Pennsylvania Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Marriage Records, 1512-1989 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images; Also at: Findmypast ($)
1600s-1900s US Marriages – Pennsylvania at Findmypast — index & images ($)
1626-2016 United States Marriages – Pennsylvania, 1626-2016 at Findmypast - index and some images ($)
1677-1950 Pennsylvania Civil Marriages, 1677-1950 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
1684-1689 Marriage register of Pennsylvania, 1684 to 1689(*) at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images^[5]
1700-1821 Pennsylvania, Marriage Records, 1700-1821 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
1709-1940 Pennsylvania Marriages, 1709-1940 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index
1775-1991 Pennsylvania, County Marriages, 1775-1991 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
1823-Onward Pennsylvania Marriages at MyHeritage — index ($)
1845-1963 Pennsylvania County Marriages, 1845-1963 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
1852-1854 Pennsylvania Marriages, 1852-1854 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
1852-1854 Pennsylvania, Secretary of the Commonwealth, Births, Marriages, and Deaths, 1852-1854(*) at FamilySearch Catalog — index and images^[6]
1885-1889 Pennsylvania Marriage Records, 1885-1889 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
1885-1950 Pennsylvania, County Marriages, 1885-1950 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images

Deaths[edit | edit source]

1720-1999 Pennsylvania Deaths and Burials, 1720-1999 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images
1794-1873 Death Warrants, 1794-1873(*) at FamilySearch Catalog — images^[7]
1850-1880 Pennsylvania Mortality Schedules, 1850-1880 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images
1852-1854 Pennsylvania Deaths, 1852-1854 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
1852-1854 Pennsylvania, Secretary of the Commonwealth, Births, Marriages, and Deaths, 1852-1854(*) at FamilySearch Catalog; — index and images^[8]
1856-1971 Pennsylvania, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Deaths and Burials, 1856-1971 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images
1906-1964 Pennsylvania Death Index, 1906-1964 at MyHeritage — index ($)
1906-1969 Pennsylvania Death Index at Pennsylvania State Archives - index
1906-1971 Pennsylvania, U.S., Death Certificates, 1906-most currently released at Ancestry — index & images ($)
Historical Society Of Pennsylvania, Deaths & Burials at Findmypast — index & images ($)

Divorce[edit | edit source]

See Pennsylvania Divorce Records for more resources.

Print Publications[edit | edit source]

Early Pennsylvania Births, 1675-1875, by Charles Adam Fisher. Reprint of 1947 edition; Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1979. FS Catalog Book 974.8 V2fi; film 1597740 item 6^[9]
Genealogical abstracts of the Laws of Pennsylvania & the Statutes at large, by Candy Crocker Livengood. Westminster, Maryland: Family Line Publications, c1990. FS Catalog book 974.8 P38L; At various libraries (WorldCat)^[10]
Pennsylvania Marriages Prior to 1790: Names of Persons for whom Marriage Licenses were Issued in the Province of Pennsylvania Previous to 1790, compiled by John B. Linn and William H. Egle. Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1984. FS Catalog book 974.8 V2n 2001; At various libraries (WorldCat);^[11]
Pennsylvania Vital Records From the Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine and the Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography. 3 vols. Baltimore, Md.: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1983. FS Library Book 974.8 V2p^[12]
Record of Pennsylvania Marriages Prior to 1810, by John B. Linn and William H. Egle. Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1968. FS Catalog book 974.8 V2r 1987 v.2

Get Copies[edit | edit source]

Restrictions:

Birth records 105 years and older are public records
Death records 50 years and older are public records^[13]
Marriage records in Pennsylvania are public, though specific details like Social Security numbers are restricted from view^[14]

Pennsylvania Department of Health
Division of Vital Records
Health and Human Services Building, 8th Floor West
625 Forster Street
Harrisburg, PA 171202
Order copies: PO Box 1528, New Castle, PA 16103
Phone: 724-656-3100 or toll free 844-228-3516
Website

Ordering A Birth Certificate 1906-present; slide to "Who Can Apply for a Birth Certificate"
Genealogy requests: Requirements relaxed, must provide the person's proof of death
Ordering a Death Certificate 1906-present; slide to "Who Can Apply for a Death Certificate"
Links to order forms: Birth, Death
Multi-Year Search Information

Other walk-in locations include:

Pennsylvania State Archives
1681 N. Sixth St.
Harrisburg, PA 17102-1106
Phone: (717) 783-3281
Email: ra-statearchives@pa.gov
Website

They have original birth certificates for 1906-1919 and death certificates for 1906-1974 ^[15]
They do not issue certified copies
Mail in request forms: PDF form; Fill in online

County Courthouses

Prior to 1906, Pennsylvania births and deaths were recorded only sporadically by the counties and some cities such as Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.^[16]
Births, marriages, and deaths were recorded by the Clerk of Orphans Court at each county courthouse.^[17]^[18]
List of County Orphans Court Clerks

Coverage and Compliance[edit | edit source]

Coverage included:

Residents of the area
In the early registration years, there may be under-representation for Blacks/African Americans and other groups

Births and Deaths:

1852-1854 Very low compliance
1893-1906 Much higher compliance, especially when midwives, doctors, or funeral homes were used
1960-present General compliance by 1915
Births are collected by county clerk of the Orphans Court as reported by hospitals, midwives, birthing centers, parents, etc.
Death records are also collected by the county clerk of the Orphans Court as reported by funeral homes, medical examiners, physicians, hospitals, relatives, etc.

Marriages:

Generally high compliance from 1885
Couples often married in the county where bride lived or they may have eloped

Information in the Records[edit | edit source]

Birth Records[edit | edit source]

Pennsylvania Birth Records May Include*
Name of Child	x
Birth Date/Place	x
Sex/Race	x
Parents' Names	x
Parents' Birthplace	x
# of Children Born/Living	x
Residence/Occupation	x
Midwife/Doctor	x
* Early records may have less information

Information in birth records can vary, depending upon the who made the report (midwife, doctor, parent, etc.).

Births are collected by county clerk of the Orphans Court

Delayed Birth Records
Delayed birth records were created in the 1940s for adults without birth certificates in order to be eligible for Social Security benefits or for passports.

See also:

Marriage Records[edit | edit source]

Pennsylvania Marriage Records May Include:*
Names of Bride/Groom**	x
Date/Place of Marriage	x
Presiding Official	x
# of Times Married	x
Dates/Places of Birth	x
Residences/Race	x
Parents' Names	x
Witnesses	x
* Early records may have less information ** May be previous married name of bride

Most county clerks of the Orphans Court began recording and retaining marriage records beginning in October 1885.

The persons performing the marriages (usually ministers or justices of the peace) send the "returns" to the clerks
These records can include applications for licenses, marriage licenses, and marriage returns^[19]
The couple or a parent provided information
Individual counties or cities such as Philadelphia may have recorded marriages earlier

Gretna Greens. When eloping, couples would get married in alternate places instead of the county they lived in.
For those from Pennsylvania, these locations include:^[20]

See also:

Death Records[edit | edit source]

Pennsylvania Death Records May Include:*
Name of Decedent	x
Date/Place of Death	x
Sex/Race	x
Occupation	x
Age/Date of Birth	x
State/Country of Birth	x
Length of Residence	x
Name of Spouse	x
Parents' Names	x
Birth Places of Parents	x
Physician	x
Cause of Death	x
Informant	x
Cemetery	x
* Early records may have less information

1852-1854: The Register of Wills in most counties kept records deaths for the years 1852-1854. However, the practice stopped due to lack of compliance
1893-1906: Most counties began registering births and deaths in 1893
1906-present: The state took over the responsibility in 1906. Deaths are collected by county clerk of the Orphans Court

See also:

Cause of Death

Causes of Death - use this resource when trying to interpret a disease or medical condition listed on a death record or certificate.

Additional Information[edit | edit source]

See also:

Pennsylvania Guided Research
Pennsylvania Vital Records Laws
United States Vital Records
Locating United States Vital Records
W.P.A. Inventory of Vital Statistics Within Each County ^[21] at FamilySearch Catalog(*)
Pennsylvania GenWeb for maps, resources, and histories
Public Resources and Collections at Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania
Collections at Pennsylvania Historical Society
Vital Records part of Library of Congress, Pennsylvania: Local History & Genealogy Resource Guide

Strategies[edit | edit source]

Certificate or record is not found:

Couples often married in the county where bride lived or they may have eloped
Search the towns and cities where the event took place. Also search surrounding counties to locate the document.
The record may not exist because of record loss at the the county courthouse. See Burned, Lost, or Missing Records.
The event may not have been recorded by the government at that time. Substitute Records.

Examine the record to determine accuracy:

Person providing information may not remember events accurately
Informant may not have been present at the time of the event
Informant may give false information to hide age, race, religion, or illegitimacy
Grieving relatives may not have remembered correctly

Review the informant on the document:

Learn the relationship of the informant to the subject(s) of the record
See if records about the informant may have clues about the family
Verify vital information with other sources

See also:

Burned, Lost, or Missing Records[edit | edit source]

The following counties had record loss. Click on the county for more information.

See also:

Burned Counties Research for strategies to find ancestors in spite of record loss.

Substitute Records[edit | edit source]

For other records that may give birth, marriage, or death information, see:

References[edit | edit source]

↑ The original collections may be viewed at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, per [https://genpa.org/public-collections/surname-index-to-gsp-manuscripts-collections/ Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania. Viewed 4/7/2025
↑ The originals are at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania.
↑ Full collection at the Pennsylvania State Archives. This FamilySearch Library collection does not include the counties of Blair, Clarion, Erie, Forest, Lehigh, Monroe, Montour, Philadelphia, Pike, Potter, and Union. Cameron, Lackawanna, and Snyder counties were formed after 1854.
↑ This was reprinted from Pennsylvania Archives, series 2, volumes 8 and 9, and is mostly from church records.
↑ From records from the Historical Society of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
↑ Full collection at the Pennsylvania State Archives. This FamilySearch Library collection does not include the counties of Blair, Clarion, Erie, Forest, Lehigh, Monroe, Montour, Philadelphia, Pike, Potter, and Union. Cameron, Lackawanna, and Snyder counties were formed after 1854.
↑ Pennsylvania. Governor. Death Warrants, 1794-1873. These records are warrants for the executions of convicted criminals.
↑ Full collection at the Pennsylvania State Archives. This FamilySearch Library collection does not include the counties of Blair, Clarion, Erie, Forest, Lehigh, Monroe, Montour, Philadelphia, Pike, Potter, and Union. Cameron, Lackawanna, and Snyder counties were formed after 1854.
↑ This book contains church and cemetery records as well as birth dates, many from sources never before published, in the counties of Berks, Juniata, Lebanon, Northumberland, Snyder, and Union.
↑ "The Statutes at Large... [include] name changes, children being legitimized for inheritances, divorces and annulments,...." [and much much more.] "This book is a comprehensive abstraction of every name from every book beginning in 1683...." p. iii.
↑ Originally published as Volume II, second series, Pennsylvania Archives, Harrisburg, 1890.
↑ Includes most records of births, baptisms, marriages, and deaths published in those magazines.
↑ VITAL STATISTICS LAW OF 1953 PA General Assembly. access March 25, 2025
↑ Google AI Overview in response to query "restrictions for ordering marriage records in pennsylvania", accessed 25 March 2025
↑ Vital Records at Pennsylvania State Archives, accessed 22 March 2025
↑ Vital Statistics Records ibid.
↑ [https://www.pa.gov/agencies/phmc/pa-state-archives/research-online/vital-statistics-records.html Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, accessed 3/25/2025
↑ Guide to Marriage Records by Chester County Archives, accessed 25 March, 2025
↑ See United States Marriage Records for a good explanation of each type of marriage record.
↑ Arlene H. Eakle,"Have you searched and searched for a marriage without finding it?" in Genealogy Blog at http://www.arleneeakle.com/wordpress/2007/02/19/have-you-searched-and-searched-for-the-marriage-without-finding-it/ (accessed 8 January 2011).
↑ Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: Historical Records Survey, N.d. This inventory also describes many available church records.

[1] The original collections may be viewed at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, per [https://genpa.org/public-collections/surname-index-to-gsp-manuscripts-collections/ Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania. Viewed 4/7/2025

[2] The originals are at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania.

[3] Full collection at the Pennsylvania State Archives. This FamilySearch Library collection does not include the counties of Blair, Clarion, Erie, Forest, Lehigh, Monroe, Montour, Philadelphia, Pike, Potter, and Union. Cameron, Lackawanna, and Snyder counties were formed after 1854.

[4] This was reprinted from Pennsylvania Archives, series 2, volumes 8 and 9, and is mostly from church records.

[5] From records from the Historical Society of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

[6] Full collection at the Pennsylvania State Archives. This FamilySearch Library collection does not include the counties of Blair, Clarion, Erie, Forest, Lehigh, Monroe, Montour, Philadelphia, Pike, Potter, and Union. Cameron, Lackawanna, and Snyder counties were formed after 1854.

[7] Pennsylvania. Governor. Death Warrants, 1794-1873. These records are warrants for the executions of convicted criminals.

[8] Full collection at the Pennsylvania State Archives. This FamilySearch Library collection does not include the counties of Blair, Clarion, Erie, Forest, Lehigh, Monroe, Montour, Philadelphia, Pike, Potter, and Union. Cameron, Lackawanna, and Snyder counties were formed after 1854.

[9] This book contains church and cemetery records as well as birth dates, many from sources never before published, in the counties of Berks, Juniata, Lebanon, Northumberland, Snyder, and Union.

[10] "The Statutes at Large... [include] name changes, children being legitimized for inheritances, divorces and annulments,...." [and much much more.] "This book is a comprehensive abstraction of every name from every book beginning in 1683...." p. iii.

[11] Originally published as Volume II, second series, Pennsylvania Archives, Harrisburg, 1890.

[12] Includes most records of births, baptisms, marriages, and deaths published in those magazines.

[13] VITAL STATISTICS LAW OF 1953 PA General Assembly. access March 25, 2025

[14] Google AI Overview in response to query "restrictions for ordering marriage records in pennsylvania", accessed 25 March 2025

[15] Vital Records at Pennsylvania State Archives, accessed 22 March 2025

[16] Vital Statistics Records ibid.

[17] [https://www.pa.gov/agencies/phmc/pa-state-archives/research-online/vital-statistics-records.html Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, accessed 3/25/2025

[18] Guide to Marriage Records by Chester County Archives, accessed 25 March, 2025

[19] See United States Marriage Records for a good explanation of each type of marriage record.

[20] Arlene H. Eakle,"Have you searched and searched for a marriage without finding it?" in Genealogy Blog at http://www.arleneeakle.com/wordpress/2007/02/19/have-you-searched-and-searched-for-the-marriage-without-finding-it/ (accessed 8 January 2011).

[21] Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: Historical Records Survey, N.d. This inventory also describes many available church records.

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