Adams County Death Records
Adams County obituary and death records are kept by several local offices and the Pennsylvania Division of Vital Records. Adams County sits in south-central Pennsylvania and is home to Gettysburg, a town with deep historical roots going back to the Civil War. If you need to find an Adams County death record, this page explains what is available, where to search, and how to request copies of death certificates and historical obituary materials from local sources.
Adams County Quick Facts
Adams County Register of Wills
The Adams County Register of Wills serves as the Clerk of the Orphans' Court. This office holds marriage license records from 1885 to present. It also holds historical birth and death records from the 1893 to 1906 period. These early county-level records predate the state's mandatory registration system and are a key resource for genealogical research in Adams County.
The office is located at the Adams County Courthouse, 111-117 Baltimore Street, Gettysburg, PA 17325. Staff can help you search for historical Adams County death records and marriage licenses. Research requests may require advance notice, as some older records are stored on microfilm or off-site. You can reach the office at (717) 337-9835 during regular business hours. The Register of Wills also handles estate administration and probate matters for Adams County residents.
The Adams County website is a useful starting point for locating offices and records. Visit adamscountypa.gov for links to the Register of Wills, Clerk of Courts, and Recorder of Deeds, along with forms and contact information for all county departments.
The image below comes from the official Adams County government portal, which serves as the main entry point for all county records and services.
The Adams County portal links directly to the Register of Wills, the office that holds the earliest local death records for genealogical research.
| Office |
Adams County Register of Wills 111-117 Baltimore Street Gettysburg, PA 17325 Phone: (717) 337-9835 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Records | Death and birth records 1893-1906; marriage licenses 1885-present; estate records |
Note: Some Adams County historical death records from before 1906 may be incomplete, so checking multiple sources is a good idea for early genealogy research.
Adams County Death Certificate Requests
Death certificates in Pennsylvania are issued by the Division of Vital Records under the Department of Health. Under 28 Pa. Code Chapter 1, the state has kept official death records since 1906. For any death in Adams County from 1906 to the present, the state holds the record.
To get a certified copy of an Adams County death certificate, you have several options. You can order online through VitalChek, by mail to the Division of Vital Records, PO Box 1528, New Castle, PA 16103, or in person at a state vital records office. The fee is $20 per certified copy. Processing takes about three weeks for mail orders. If you need a copy faster, expedited options are available through VitalChek for an extra fee. Bring a valid photo ID and be ready to show proof of your relationship to the deceased.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health vital records page has full instructions and the application form. For genealogical research of deaths more than 50 years old, the Pennsylvania State Archives may also have records available.
Historical Adams County Obituary Records
Adams County was formed in 1800 from York County. The county seat, Gettysburg, is one of the most historically significant towns in the United States. Local newspapers like the Gettysburg Times have published obituaries for well over a century. These newspapers are a rich source of Adams County obituary information, often including details about family connections, place of birth, and cause of death that do not appear on official death certificates.
The Adams County Historical Society is the main local resource for historical obituary research. The society maintains an obituary index drawn from local newspapers. It also holds cemetery records for historic Adams County burial grounds. Family history files donated by local researchers are another key part of the collection. The society is located at 368 Springs Avenue, Gettysburg, PA 17325. You can reach them at (717) 334-4723. Research visits are typically by appointment, so call ahead before you visit.
For older Adams County death records from before 1893, you may need to look at church registers, cemetery records, and family bibles. Many of these materials are held by the Adams County Historical Society or have been microfilmed by genealogical organizations. The Pennsylvania genealogy vital records page also explains what state resources are available for historical death research.
Note: The Adams County Historical Society offers paid research services for those who cannot visit in person, which can be helpful for out-of-state family history researchers.
Pennsylvania Vital Statistics and Adams County
Pennsylvania began requiring statewide death registration in 1906 under what is now codified at 35 P.S. Section 450.101. Before that, counties like Adams kept their own records from 1893 to 1906. This means that Adams County death records from 1893 to 1905 are held locally at the Register of Wills office. Records from 1906 forward are kept by the state.
The state has partnered with Ancestry.com to provide online access to older Pennsylvania death certificates. Deaths from roughly 1906 through the mid-20th century may be viewable through the Pennsylvania State Archives partnership. This is a free way to view scanned death certificate images for older Adams County deaths. Visit the PHMC Archives research page to learn more about online access to these records.
Genealogy Resources for Adams County Death Records
Several resources can help you research Adams County death records and obituaries. The Adams County Historical Society is the top local choice. Its research library has newspapers, manuscripts, and photographs that document local families and community history going back to the county's founding in 1800.
The Gettysburg area has a long history, and many families have roots in Adams County going back many generations. Cemetery records for the county are a good complement to official death records. Many historic cemeteries in Gettysburg and surrounding towns have been transcribed by local genealogy groups and are available through the historical society. The Gettysburg Times newspaper archive is another valuable resource for obituaries from the 20th century.
For broader Pennsylvania research, the Pennsylvania State Archives holds statewide vital statistics records and can be searched online for many historical death records. These resources, combined with local Adams County sources, give you a strong foundation for death record research in the county.
Related Adams County Records and Offices
Other Adams County offices can assist with records that connect to death and estate matters. The Clerk of Courts at the Adams County Courthouse handles civil and criminal case records. The court record may include wrongful death cases or estate disputes. The Clerk's office is at 111-117 Baltimore Street, Gettysburg, PA 17325. Phone is (717) 337-9834.
The Recorder of Deeds at the same address records property transfers. When property changes hands after a death, the deed transfer often requires a death certificate as documentation. The Recorder's office phone is (717) 337-9826. These records go back to 1800 and can help you trace property ownership through an estate.
The Pennsylvania Orphans' Court clerks page lists contact information for all county Orphans' Courts. The Adams County Orphans' Court handles wills, estate administration, adoptions, and guardianships. Probate records can be a key source of death-related information, especially for older estates.
The state vital records processing times page can tell you how long to expect to wait for your Adams County death certificate request.
Cities in Adams County
No cities from our directory are currently listed for this county.
Nearby Pennsylvania Counties
Adams County borders several other Pennsylvania counties. If you are not sure which county holds the record you need, check the location of the death or the residence of the deceased at the time of death.