Pittsburgh Obituary Records
Pittsburgh death records and obituaries are held at several key institutions in Allegheny County. Pittsburgh is the county seat and home to about 300,000 residents. The Allegheny County Office of Vital Records handles certified death certificates for Pittsburgh and the broader county. For historical obituary research, the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh and the Senator John Heinz History Center are the two most important resources in the city. This guide covers where to find Pittsburgh death records, how to order certified copies, and what genealogy resources are available locally.
Pittsburgh Quick Facts
Where to Find Pittsburgh Death Records
The Allegheny County Health Department, Office of Vital Records is the main office for Pittsburgh death records. It maintains birth and death records for Pittsburgh and all of Allegheny County. The office is located at 542 Forbes Avenue, Suite 400, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. Phone is 412-350-4300. Office hours run Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This office serves over 1.2 million county residents and is the first stop for anyone needing a certified Pittsburgh death certificate.
Pittsburgh is one of six walk-in locations in Pennsylvania for obtaining vital records. That means you can visit in person and get a certified copy the same day. Mail applications are also accepted and should be sent to the Allegheny County Office of Vital Records at the Forbes Avenue address. Applications require a copy of your ID and proof of your relationship to the deceased. For records older than 50 years, the restrictions on who can request them are generally looser, making genealogical research easier.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health handles death certificates from 1906 to the present through its Division of Vital Records. You can request Pittsburgh death certificates online at pa.gov vital records death certificates or through VitalChek. The state fee is $20 per certified copy. Current processing times are posted at pa.gov processing times.
| Office | Allegheny County Health Dept, Office of Vital Records |
|---|---|
| Address | 542 Forbes Avenue, Suite 400, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 |
| Phone | 412-350-4300 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Walk-In | Yes, same-day service available |
Carnegie Library Pittsburgh Obituary Collection
The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh is one of the best places in western Pennsylvania to find historical Pittsburgh obituaries. The Pennsylvania Department within the library contains materials specifically for Western Pennsylvania research. The main branch is at 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213. Phone is 412-622-3114 for reference inquiries.
The Carnegie Library holds obituary indexes for Pittsburgh newspapers going back many decades. The collection includes the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Pittsburgh Press, and other historic local papers on microfilm and in digital formats. City directories from multiple eras are also available. These can help you identify when someone lived in Pittsburgh and confirm death dates. The library provides free in-branch access to Ancestry Library Edition, giving researchers access to digitized death records and national obituary databases without a paid subscription. Genealogy workshops and research assistance are offered on a regular basis.
The Carnegie Library website at carnegielibrary.org genealogy describes the full scope of available collections. Manuscript collections include family papers and organizational records that often mention Pittsburgh deaths. Digital collections include photographs and documents. The library is open to the public, and staff can assist with obituary and death record searches for Pittsburgh residents and their ancestors.
Senator John Heinz History Center Death Records
The Senator John Heinz History Center at 1212 Smallman Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, is the largest history museum in Pennsylvania. Its Detre Library and Archives holds an extensive collection of Western Pennsylvania materials relevant to Pittsburgh death and obituary research. Phone is 412-454-6000.
The Heinz History Center archives include Pittsburgh funeral home records, cemetery transcriptions, and family papers. These materials often contain obituary notices and details about Pittsburgh deaths that do not appear in government records. The collection covers manuscripts, photographs, and organizational records from across the Pittsburgh region. Research hours are available to the public by appointment, and the staff can assist genealogical researchers seeking Pittsburgh death information. Online collections include digitized photographs and documents that can be browsed remotely.
Pittsburgh funeral home records at the Heinz History Center are a distinctive resource. Funeral home ledgers often record the name of the deceased, date of death, place of burial, and names of family members who arranged services. This type of detail is hard to find anywhere else. For researchers tracking Pittsburgh deaths in the late 1800s and early 1900s, these records can fill critical gaps. Educational programs on genealogy are offered regularly at the center.
Note: Research visits to the Detre Library and Archives are by appointment. Contact the center at 412-454-6000 before planning a visit to confirm availability and what materials can be prepared in advance.
Pittsburgh Death Certificate Order Process
Ordering a certified Pittsburgh death certificate follows the Pennsylvania state process. The fee is $20 per copy. You can order in person at the Allegheny County Office of Vital Records on Forbes Avenue, by mail to the same address, or online through VitalChek. Walk-in service at the Pittsburgh office means same-day processing for those who need a copy quickly.
Mail requests to: Allegheny County Health Department, Office of Vital Records, 542 Forbes Avenue, Suite 400, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. Include a completed application, a copy of your government-issued ID, the $20 fee, and proof of your relationship to the deceased. Eligible requesters include the deceased's spouse, parent, child, or sibling. Genealogical requests for older records have fewer requirements.
For Pittsburgh deaths before 1906, the Pennsylvania State Archives holds older death certificates. The state archives maintains historical death certificates from 1906 through 1975, including Pittsburgh records. For earlier Pittsburgh deaths, the City Archives and library collections are the best resources. The Pittsburgh City Archives at pghcityarchives.org holds municipal records dating back to the city's incorporation in 1816.
Pittsburgh Genealogy Resources for Death Research
Pittsburgh has strong genealogical resources beyond the Carnegie Library and Heinz History Center. The City of Pittsburgh website provides contact information for city offices that can assist with historical inquiries. The city's Department of Innovation and Performance oversees some historic records and preservation programs that document significant Pittsburgh history.
The PA State Archives maintains Pittsburgh death records from 1906 through 1975 as part of the statewide historical collection. Death certificates from this period are available through Ancestry.com as part of a partnership with the archives. Access this collection through the PA State Archives vital statistics research page. This is a free resource when accessed through a library with institutional Ancestry access.
The Pennsylvania vital records genealogy page outlines which records are open for genealogical research and what identification is needed. Records over 50 years old have fewer restrictions. Records over 105 years old may be accessed through the State Archives. Pittsburgh researchers benefit from the county health department's walk-in service, which speeds up the process for those who need certified copies without delay.
Note: The Pittsburgh City Archives holds records going back to 1816, but these are primarily municipal records, not vital records. For death certificates and obituaries, the Carnegie Library, Heinz History Center, and Allegheny County Office of Vital Records are the right sources.
Allegheny County Death Records
Pittsburgh is the county seat of Allegheny County. All death records for Pittsburgh and surrounding communities go through the Allegheny County system. The county page has additional details on the Register of Wills, probate records, and other death-related resources across the county.
Nearby Pennsylvania Cities
Other Pennsylvania cities have their own death record offices and genealogy resources. Select a city below to find obituary and death record information in that area.