Death Records in Armstrong County
Armstrong County obituary and death records come from several sources depending on the year of death. Located in western Pennsylvania along the Allegheny River, Armstrong County has Kittanning as its county seat. Records from 1893 to 1905 are held locally at the Register of Wills. Deaths from 1906 forward are on file with the Pennsylvania Division of Vital Records. This page explains how to find Armstrong County death certificates and obituaries from both local and state sources.
Armstrong County Quick Facts
Armstrong County Register of Wills Office
The Armstrong County Register of Wills serves as Clerk of the Orphans' Court. This office holds the earliest local death and birth records for the county. Birth and death records from 1893 to 1906 are maintained here for genealogical research. The office also keeps marriage license records from 1885 to the present and handles estate administration and probate matters for Armstrong County residents.
The Register of Wills is located at the Armstrong County Courthouse, 500 East Market Street, Kittanning, PA 16201. Phone is 724-548-3251. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Research requests for historical records should be made in writing with specific details about the person you are looking for. Some records are stored on microfilm and require staff assistance to locate. Fees for certified copies and research services are set by county ordinance.
The county government website at co.armstrong.pa.us provides access to all county offices and public records. Links to the Register of Wills, Prothonotary, and Recorder of Deeds are all available from the main portal.
The image below is from the official Armstrong County government website, which provides the main resource for all county records and services in Kittanning.
The Armstrong County courthouse in Kittanning has served as the seat of county government since Armstrong County was formed in 1800.
| Office |
Armstrong County Register of Wills 500 East Market Street Kittanning, PA 16201 Phone: 724-548-3251 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM |
| Records | Birth and death records 1893-1906; marriage licenses 1885-present; probate records |
Armstrong County Death Certificate Requests
For deaths in Armstrong County from 1906 forward, the Pennsylvania Division of Vital Records holds the official death certificate. Pennsylvania began statewide mandatory death registration under 35 P.S. Section 450.101 in 1906. That law requires all deaths to be registered with the state, not just with the county.
You can order a certified Armstrong County death certificate online through VitalChek or by mailing a request to the Division of Vital Records, PO Box 1528, New Castle, PA 16103. The fee is $20 per certified copy. Mail orders typically take about three weeks to process. Check the current processing times before you submit. Bring valid photo ID and be ready to show your relationship to the deceased if requesting a certificate with medical information.
Full details about the request process are on the Pennsylvania Department of Health vital records page.
Note: Records for genealogical research involving deaths more than 50 years old may also be available through the Pennsylvania State Archives, which has partnered with Ancestry.com to provide online access to scanned death certificates.
Historical Armstrong County Obituary Records
Armstrong County was formed in 1800 from parts of Allegheny, Lycoming, and Westmoreland Counties. Local newspapers in Kittanning and other Armstrong County communities have published obituaries for generations. These death notices often capture family details, church affiliations, and community ties that official death certificates do not include.
Armstrong County Libraries provide access to historical newspaper archives and genealogical databases. The main library is in Kittanning, with branches throughout the county. Obituary indexes for local Armstrong County newspapers are maintained at the reference desk. Library patrons have access to Ancestry Library Edition and microfilm collections of historic local papers. Reference librarians can assist with genealogical research questions about Armstrong County obituaries and death records.
For pre-1893 deaths in Armstrong County, you will need to consult church registers, cemetery transcriptions, and county histories. Many Armstrong County cemeteries have been transcribed by genealogical volunteers, and these records can be accessed through the library system or through the Pennsylvania State Archives.
Related Armstrong County Records
The Armstrong County Prothonotary at 500 East Market Street, Kittanning, PA 16201, phone 724-548-3253, maintains civil court records. These include wrongful death actions and estate disputes filed in the Court of Common Pleas. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. You can also access civil court dockets online through the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System portal.
The Armstrong County Recorder of Deeds, also at the courthouse in Kittanning, phone 724-548-3255, records property transfers that often require death certificates when an estate transfers real property to heirs. The office maintains all real estate records for Armstrong County from 1800 to present. Military discharge records for Armstrong County veterans are also kept here. The Pennsylvania Orphans' Court page lists all county clerk contacts for estate-related records statewide.
For genealogy research across multiple counties, the Pennsylvania genealogy vital records page provides a guide to all available state-level resources and explains how to access records for different time periods.
Cities in Armstrong County
No cities from our directory are currently listed for this county.
Nearby Counties
Armstrong County is surrounded by other western Pennsylvania counties. Check neighboring counties if the person you are researching lived near a county line.