Montgomery County Death Records
Montgomery County death records span one of the most densely populated and historically rich regions in Pennsylvania. Created in 1784 from Philadelphia County, Montgomery County sits just northwest of Philadelphia and today counts among the most populous counties in the commonwealth. Death records held at the county level cover a longer period than most Pennsylvania counties, running through 1913 rather than the typical 1905 or 1906 cutoff. That extended window means a great deal of early twentieth-century research can begin right here at the county level before turning to state sources. Researchers tracing families in the Philadelphia suburbs will find Montgomery County records essential to their work.
Montgomery County Quick Facts
Montgomery County Death Records at the Courthouse
The Montgomery County Courthouse in Norristown is the starting point for county-level death record research. The Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' Court maintains historical vital records and estate filings for the county. Birth and death registrations from 1893 through 1913 are on file here, a range that extends well beyond what most Pennsylvania counties hold at the local level. Most county offices ended their death registration duties around 1905 or 1906 when the state took over, but Montgomery County continued keeping records at the courthouse through 1913. That extra seven-year overlap makes the local office an important stop even for researchers looking at early twentieth-century deaths.
Marriage records at the courthouse go back to 1885, and probate files date from 1784, the year the county was formed. Estate records are often an excellent supplement to formal death certificates, naming heirs, listing assets, and sometimes providing details about where and when someone died. Researchers who cannot find a death certificate may find exactly what they need in an estate file from the same period.
| Office | Montgomery County Register of Wills / Orphans' Court 2 East Airy Street, P.O. Box 311, Norristown, PA 19404 Phone: 610-278-3400 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM |
| Records | Death and birth records 1893–1913; marriage records from 1885; probate from 1784 |
Note: Montgomery County's death records extend through 1913, making the local office relevant even for deaths that occurred after Pennsylvania's statewide system began in 1906.
Archival Records for Montgomery County Death Research
Montgomery County operates a dedicated Archival Records Department separate from the main courthouse offices. This department is located at 86 Eagleville Road in Eagleville, PA 19403, which is a different address from the Register of Wills in Norristown. Researchers working on pre-1906 death records, older estate files, or other historical county documents may need to visit or contact the Eagleville location directly. The Montgomery County Archival Record Retrieval page provides details on what collections are available and how to request copies.
Having two locations for Montgomery County historical records is worth knowing before you make a trip. Some older materials have been transferred from the main courthouse to the Eagleville archive, while more recent records remain at the Norristown courthouse. A quick phone call before visiting can save time and confirm which location holds the specific records you need.
The image below is drawn from the Montgomery County Archival Record Retrieval page, which provides access to pre-1906 death registrations and other historical county documents.
Montgomery County Archival Records Department maintains historical death registrations and other vital record collections from the county's early years.
The archive holds materials dating back to the county's founding in 1784 and continues to be a primary resource for genealogical research in Montgomery County.
Pennsylvania State Death Certificates for Montgomery County
Pennsylvania began statewide death registration in 1906. Death certificates from that year forward are held by the PA Division of Vital Records in New Castle. Because Montgomery County also kept records through 1913 at the local level, deaths in the 1906 to 1913 range may appear in both the state system and the county records. Certified copies from the state cost $20 each, with an added $10 fee for online orders. Mail requests go to P.O. Box 1528, New Castle, PA 16103.
The state also accepts orders through VitalChek, an authorized third-party service. Phone orders are handled at (724) 656-3100. State records from 1906 through 1975 are also accessible through the Pennsylvania State Archives, which holds death certificates for that period and provides searchable online death indices.
Note: The CDC's Pennsylvania vital records reference at cdc.gov gives a useful overview of which agencies hold records and what identification is required to order certified copies.
FamilySearch and Online Montgomery County Death Records
The FamilySearch Montgomery County genealogy page lists free online collections covering vital records, estate files, and other historical documents. Montgomery County's size and historical importance mean that FamilySearch holds a larger range of indexed collections here than in many smaller Pennsylvania counties. Researchers can search death records, marriage books, and probate files without leaving home and then order copies of the most relevant documents.
FamilySearch is free to use and does not require a subscription. The collections available for Montgomery County include records that span from the colonial era through much of the twentieth century. Using these online tools first can help narrow down a date range before you contact the county or state office for a certified copy.
Death Records Research at the Pennsylvania State Archives
The Pennsylvania State Archives in Harrisburg holds death certificates for the state from 1906 through 1975. Montgomery County deaths during that period are included in the Archives' holdings. Researchers can use the death indices available online to confirm a death and identify the certificate number before requesting an image or copy. The Archives also participates in the free Ancestry access program for Pennsylvania residents, allowing them to search death records at no charge through any participating State Archives terminal.
Montgomery County's large population over more than two centuries means the Archives holds a substantial number of death certificates tied to this county. The online death index is searchable by name and date range, which makes it practical to locate specific individuals even within a large collection.
The image below comes from the Pennsylvania Division of Vital Records page, which handles orders for death certificates dated 1906 and later for all Pennsylvania counties including Montgomery.
Pennsylvania Division of Vital Records processes all orders for certified death certificates dated from 1906 to the present.
The Division of Vital Records handles both recent and historical certificate requests for Montgomery County residents and their families.
Note: Pennsylvania residents can access Ancestry.com collections for free through the State Archives partnership, which includes death records relevant to Montgomery County research.
Montgomery County Historical Background and Record Context
Montgomery County was formed in 1784 from Philadelphia County. It is one of the original Pennsylvania counties and has grown steadily since its founding to become one of the most populous in the state. The county's suburban Philadelphia location means many residents had ties to both Montgomery and Philadelphia County records at different points in their lives. Researchers working on families near the county border may need to check Philadelphia records as well.
The county has been home to numerous distinct communities and townships over the years, including Lower Merion, which has its own historical record-keeping traditions. Because of the county's size and population density, the range of genealogical resources available is substantial. Church records, cemetery registers, and newspaper obituaries supplement the formal death certificate system and can be useful for filling gaps when official records are incomplete.
Estate files from the Register of Wills going back to 1784 can document deaths that occurred long before formal death registration began in 1893. These probate records name heirs, describe property, and sometimes include sworn testimony about the date and circumstances of a death, making them a valuable source for eighteenth and nineteenth century research in Montgomery County.
Cities in Montgomery County
Montgomery County contains many municipalities with their own community histories. Researchers tracing specific families may want to explore city-level records as well as county-wide collections.
Nearby Counties
Montgomery County borders several other Pennsylvania counties. Families who moved across county lines during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries may have records spread across multiple jurisdictions.