Beaver County Pennsylvania Death Records
Beaver County obituary and death records are maintained by the county Register of Wills and, for more recent deaths, by the Pennsylvania Division of Vital Records. Beaver County sits in western Pennsylvania along the Ohio River, with the town of Beaver as its county seat. This page covers how to find Beaver County death certificates, historical obituary materials, and related records from the county offices that serve residents throughout the county.
Beaver County Quick Facts
Beaver County Register of Wills
The Beaver County Register of Wills is the primary local office for early death records and estate matters. This office holds historical birth and death records from 1893 to 1906. Marriage license records from 1885 to the present are also maintained here. The office serves as Clerk of the Orphans' Court and handles adoptions, guardianships, and probate proceedings for Beaver County residents.
The office is located at the Beaver County Courthouse, 810 Third Street, Beaver, PA 15009. Phone is 724-770-4420. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The county seat of Beaver has been known informally as "America's Hometown" and has served as the center of county government since 1800. Researchers can request searches of historical records by mail or in person. The office recommends calling ahead for genealogical research requests to confirm staff availability.
The image below is from the Beaver County Register of Wills page, the official county resource for estate records and early local death data.
The Beaver County Register of Wills office maintains historical death records from 1893 to 1906, along with marriage licenses from 1885 and estate records going back to the county's founding.
| Office |
Beaver County Register of Wills 810 Third Street Beaver, PA 15009 Phone: 724-770-4420 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Records | Birth and death records 1893-1906; marriage licenses 1885-present; probate records |
Note: Historical Beaver County death records from 1893 to 1906 are stored in a secure vault and may require advance notice for retrieval.
Beaver County Death Certificate Requests
Pennsylvania has required statewide death registration since 1906 under 35 P.S. Section 450.101. All Beaver County deaths from 1906 to the present are filed with the state Division of Vital Records in New Castle, Pennsylvania. Certified copies cost $20 each and can be ordered online through VitalChek or by mail to Division of Vital Records, PO Box 1528, New Castle, PA 16103.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health vital records page has the application form and a full list of who can request a certified copy. You will need valid photo identification. If you are requesting a copy with medical information, you also need to show your relationship to the deceased. Mail requests take about three weeks. The processing times page shows current wait times.
Historical Obituary Records in Beaver County
Beaver County newspapers have published obituaries for generations. Local papers serving Beaver, Aliquippa, Ambridge, and other communities in the county are a key source for obituary research. These death notices can reveal family relationships, former towns of residence, and community connections that official records do not capture.
The Beaver County Library System maintains historical newspaper archives and genealogical collections. The main library in Beaver has obituary indexes for local newspapers, microfilm collections dating back to the 1800s, and access to Ancestry Library Edition for in-library use. Reference librarians are available to help with genealogical research. The library also offers interlibrary loan services for materials not held locally.
For deaths before 1893, Beaver County church records and cemetery transcriptions are the best starting point. Many historic cemeteries in the county have been documented by genealogical volunteers. The Pennsylvania State Archives also holds older death-related records and can be researched online through their Ancestry.com partnership.
Beaver County Prothonotary and Related Offices
The Beaver County Prothonotary is located at 810 Third Street, Beaver, PA 15009, phone 724-770-4430. This office maintains civil court records, including wrongful death cases and estate disputes filed in the Court of Common Pleas. Public access terminals are available in the office for searching civil court dockets. Certified copies of court orders are available for established fees.
The Beaver County Recorder of Deeds at 810 Third Street, Room 123, Beaver, PA 15009, phone 724-770-4440, records all property transfers including those that require a death certificate to transfer real estate from a deceased owner to heirs. The office maintains Beaver County land records from 1800 to the present. Military discharge records for Beaver County veterans are also maintained here.
The full range of Beaver County government services can be found through the official Beaver County portal. The Pennsylvania Orphans' Court clerks directory provides direct contact information for the Beaver County court that handles wills and estates.
Cities in Beaver County
No cities from our directory are currently listed for this county.
Nearby Counties
Beaver County borders several other western Pennsylvania counties. Confirm the county where the death occurred before requesting records.