Blair County Obituary Records
Blair County obituary and death records are split between the county Register of Wills, which holds records from 1893 to 1906, and the Pennsylvania Division of Vital Records, which holds all records from 1906 forward. Blair County is located in central Pennsylvania, with the county seat in Hollidaysburg and the city of Altoona as the largest population center. This page covers how to find Blair County death certificates, where to research historical obituaries, and what other county offices may have useful records.
Blair County Quick Facts
Blair County Register of Wills
The Blair County Register of Wills serves as Clerk of the Orphans' Court. This office holds marriage license records from 1885 to the present and historical birth and death records from 1893 to 1906. The office handles estate administration and probate proceedings for Blair County residents. It also processes adoptions and guardianship appointments as part of its Orphans' Court duties.
The office is at the Blair County Courthouse, 423 Allegheny Street, Hollidaysburg, PA 16648. Phone is 814-693-3080. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Hollidaysburg has been the center of Blair County government since the county was formed in 1846. For genealogical research, staff can assist with locating historical Blair County death records. Written requests are accepted for record searches with appropriate fees. Call ahead, as some older records require staff time to locate.
The image below is from the Pennsylvania Department of Health vital records portal, which is the primary state-level resource for Blair County death certificates issued from 1906 forward.
The Pennsylvania vital records system processes Blair County death certificate requests and provides historical records access for genealogical research purposes.
| Office |
Blair County Register of Wills 423 Allegheny Street Hollidaysburg, PA 16648 Phone: 814-693-3080 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Records | Birth and death records 1893-1906; marriage licenses 1885-present; estate records |
Blair County Death Certificate Requests
All Blair County deaths from 1906 onward are recorded by the Pennsylvania Division of Vital Records. This requirement is established under 35 P.S. Section 450.101. Certified copies cost $20 each. You can order through VitalChek online or by mailing a request to Division of Vital Records, PO Box 1528, New Castle, PA 16103.
The full process is explained on the Pennsylvania Department of Health vital records page. Bring valid photo ID and proof of your relationship to the deceased if you are requesting a copy that includes medical information. Mail-in orders take about three weeks. Check current processing times before submitting your request.
For older Blair County deaths, the Pennsylvania State Archives holds historical vital statistics records. Their Ancestry.com partnership provides online access to scanned death certificates for many Blair County deaths from the early 1900s.
Note: Blair County was carved out of Huntingdon and Bedford Counties in 1846, so for deaths of long-term county residents with roots in the region before that year, check those neighboring counties as well.
Historical Blair County Obituary Research
Blair County has a strong railroad heritage. Altoona was a major center for the Pennsylvania Railroad, and the region drew workers and families from across the country during the late 1800s and early 1900s. This migration history means that Blair County obituaries and death records can help link families to communities elsewhere in the United States and in Europe.
The Altoona Area Public Library at 1600 5th Avenue, Altoona, PA 16602, phone 814-946-0417, maintains a local history and genealogy collection. The library holds newspaper archives, including microfilm of historic Altoona newspapers. Obituary indexes are maintained for genealogical research purposes. The library also provides access to Ancestry Library Edition for patrons and can help with Blair County obituary research. Reference librarians can assist with questions about local death records and family history sources.
For pre-1893 Blair County deaths, church records and cemetery transcriptions are the best alternative sources. Many Blair County cemeteries have been transcribed, and these records can be found through the library or through statewide genealogical databases. The Pennsylvania State Archives partnership with Ancestry.com makes many early death records searchable online.
Related Blair County Records and Offices
The Blair County Prothonotary at 423 Allegheny Street, Hollidaysburg, PA 16648, phone 814-693-3085, maintains civil court records. This office handles wrongful death filings, estate disputes, and other civil cases filed in the Court of Common Pleas. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Civil dockets can also be searched online through the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System portal.
The Orphans' Court in Blair County handles all estate and probate matters, including disputes over wills and guardianship appointments. Estate inventories and court filings are public records that often connect to Blair County deaths. The Pennsylvania Orphans' Court directory lists direct contact information for the Blair County clerk. You can also start with the PHMC Archives research page for online access to historical Blair County records held at the state level.
The Blair County government portal provides links to all county departments. Visit the county website at blaircounty.gov for contact information and forms for all offices.
Cities in Blair County
No cities from our directory are currently listed for this county.
Nearby Counties
Blair County borders several other central Pennsylvania counties. If the person you are researching lived near a county boundary, check neighboring county offices as well.