Allegheny County Obituary Records
Allegheny County is the most populous county in western Pennsylvania, with over 1.2 million residents centered on the city of Pittsburgh. Searching for an Allegheny County death record or obituary involves both the county's own Office of Vital Records and the Pennsylvania Division of Vital Records. This page covers where to find Allegheny County death certificates, historical obituary resources, and the local offices that maintain estate and probate records tied to deaths in the county.
Allegheny County Quick Facts
Allegheny County Office of Vital Records
Allegheny County operates its own Office of Vital Records through the county Health Department. This office issues certified copies of both birth and death certificates for events that occurred in Allegheny County. The office is located at 542 Forbes Avenue, Suite 400, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. You can reach the office by phone at 412-350-4300. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
To request an Allegheny County death certificate, you must complete an application and provide valid photo identification. You must also show proof of your relationship to the deceased if the record contains medical information. Eligible requesters include immediate family members, legal representatives, and others with a direct interest in the record. Requests can be made in person or by mail. Mail requests should go to: Allegheny County Health Department, Office of Vital Records, 542 Forbes Avenue, Suite 400, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. Make checks or money orders payable to "Vital Records."
For Allegheny County deaths that happened more than 50 years ago, records may also be available through the Pennsylvania State Archives. The archives have partnered with Ancestry.com to provide online access to older death certificate images.
The image below is from the Pennsylvania Department of Health vital records portal, which handles death certificate requests for the entire state including Allegheny County.
The state vital records office processes death certificate requests for Allegheny County deaths from 1906 to the present through the same system used statewide.
Note: Allegheny County does not offer direct online ordering for death certificates through the county; use the state VitalChek service or contact the county office directly.
Pennsylvania Death Certificates for Allegheny County
Pennsylvania has required death registration since 1906 under 35 P.S. Section 450.101. The state keeps all death records from that year forward. For Allegheny County residents who died between 1906 and the present, you can also order a death certificate directly from the state. The fee is $20 per certified copy. Online orders go through VitalChek. Mail-in requests go to the Division of Vital Records, PO Box 1528, New Castle, PA 16103.
The Pennsylvania vital records death certificate page explains the full process, who can request a record, and what identification you need to provide. Processing takes around three weeks for mail requests. Check the current processing times before you submit your request.
Two types of certified copies exist. A copy with medical information shows the cause of death. A copy without medical information is available for deaths from 2019 forward. Both are legal documents. Which one you need depends on how you plan to use the record.
Historical Allegheny County Obituary and Death Records
Allegheny County has the deepest newspaper archive in western Pennsylvania. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and the Pittsburgh Press have published obituaries for well over a century. These obituary notices often contain family details, place of birth, and funeral home information that do not appear on death certificates. They are one of the best primary sources for genealogical research on Allegheny County deaths.
The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh maintains one of the strongest genealogical collections in the state. The Pennsylvania Department at the main library in Oakland holds obituary indexes for Pittsburgh newspapers on microfilm and in digital formats. The library is located at 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213. Phone is 412-622-3114. The collection includes city directories, cemetery records, and access to Ancestry Library Edition. Reference librarians who specialize in genealogy can help you find Allegheny County obituary and death information.
The Senator John Heinz History Center at 1212 Smallman Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, phone 412-454-6000, operates the Detre Library and Archives. This is Western Pennsylvania's largest history museum and research center. The archives hold Pittsburgh-area funeral home records, cemetery transcriptions, and over 5,000 manuscript collections. The Detre Library is a leading resource for finding historical Allegheny County death records and obituary materials beyond what newspapers carry.
Allegheny County Orphans Court and Estate Records
The Allegheny County Orphans' Court is a division of the Court of Common Pleas. It handles estate matters, adoptions, and guardianships. The court is located at the Allegheny County Courthouse, 330 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. Estate filings, inventory records, and accounting documents are public records and can be accessed through the court clerk's office. These records often connect directly to Allegheny County deaths, since a will or estate is typically filed after a person dies.
The Unified Judicial System portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us allows you to search Allegheny County court dockets online, including Orphans' Court filings. You can search by party name or case number to find estate proceedings. For full case documents, visit the courthouse or contact the Orphans' Court clerk directly.
Note: Estate inventory filings and accountings in Allegheny County are public records, which means they can provide information about family members and assets of deceased residents even in cases where no obituary was published.
Allegheny County Genealogy Resources
Allegheny County death and obituary research is well supported by multiple institutions in Pittsburgh. Start with the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh for newspaper obituaries. Use the Heinz History Center for funeral home records and manuscript collections. For records from before 1893, you will need to look at church registers, cemetery transcriptions, and county histories. Many Pittsburgh-area churches have kept detailed death and burial records going back to the early 1800s.
The Pennsylvania genealogy vital records page is a useful guide for statewide research. For deaths before 1906, the Pennsylvania State Archives partnership with Ancestry.com gives free online access to scanned death certificates for many Allegheny County cases. The Right to Know office at Allegheny County can assist when records are not directly accessible through regular channels, as public records requests under Pennsylvania law cover many county documents.
Cities in Allegheny County
Pittsburgh is the county seat and largest city in Allegheny County. Death records for Pittsburgh residents are part of the Allegheny County vital records system and the state system.
Pittsburgh is the primary city in Allegheny County. All death records for Pittsburgh residents fall under Allegheny County jurisdiction.
Nearby Counties
Allegheny County is surrounded by several other western Pennsylvania counties. If the person you are researching lived near a county border, check neighboring counties as well.