Find Bradford County Death Records
Bradford County obituary and death records are available through the county Register of Wills for the earliest period and through the Pennsylvania Division of Vital Records for deaths from 1906 onward. Bradford County is located in north-central Pennsylvania along the New York border, with Towanda as its county seat. This page explains how to request Bradford County death certificates, where to find historical obituary materials locally, and what other county offices keep records connected to deaths in the county.
Bradford County Quick Facts
Bradford County Register of Wills
The Bradford County Register of Wills holds the earliest local vital records and serves as Clerk of the Orphans' Court. Historical birth and death records from 1893 to 1906 are maintained here. Marriage license records from 1885 to the present are on file. The office also handles estate administration, probate proceedings, and adoptions for Bradford County residents. Towanda has been the seat of Bradford County government since 1816.
The office is at the Bradford County Courthouse, 301 Main Street, Towanda, PA 18848. Phone is 570-265-1703. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. For genealogical research, staff can assist with locating historical death records from the 1893 to 1906 period. Written requests are accepted with appropriate fees. Some records are stored in secure vaults and require advance notice for retrieval. Certified copies of marriage licenses are available with proper identification.
The image below is from the Bradford County Historical Society website, which is the primary local resource for historical obituary research and family history materials for Bradford County.
The Bradford County Historical Society in Towanda maintains obituary indexes, cemetery records, and local newspaper archives that are essential for tracing family histories in northern Pennsylvania.
| Office |
Bradford County Register of Wills 301 Main Street Towanda, PA 18848 Phone: 570-265-1703 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Records | Birth and death records 1893-1906; marriage licenses 1885-present; estate records from 1816 |
Note: Bradford County land records at the Recorder of Deeds go back to 1816, the same year the county was formally organized, making this office another key resource for early death-related estate research.
Bradford County Death Certificate Requests
For Bradford County deaths from 1906 forward, the Pennsylvania Division of Vital Records holds the official record. This requirement is established under 35 P.S. Section 450.101. Certified copies cost $20 each. You can order through VitalChek online or by mail to Division of Vital Records, PO Box 1528, New Castle, PA 16103.
The Pennsylvania vital records death certificate page explains the full process, eligibility, and documentation needed. Mail requests take about three weeks. The current processing times page shows up-to-date wait times before you submit your application.
For older Bradford County deaths, the Pennsylvania State Archives provides online access to historical vital statistics through their Ancestry.com partnership. Many Bradford County death certificates from the early 1900s are available as scanned images through this resource.
Historical Bradford County Obituary Records
Bradford County was formed in 1810 from Lycoming and Luzerne Counties. Its northern location along the New York border means that many Bradford County families had ties to New York State communities. Local newspapers published in Towanda and other Bradford County towns have carried obituary notices for over 150 years. These death notices often include birthplace information, family names, and church affiliations.
The Bradford County Historical Society, located in Towanda, maintains a museum and research library focused on county history. The society holds obituary indexes for local newspapers, cemetery records, and family history files. Research assistance is available for genealogical inquiries. The society also preserves historical photographs documenting people and places of Bradford County. Contact them through their website for current research hours and fees.
For deaths before 1893, Bradford County church records, burial registers, and county histories are the main resources. Many early communities in the county were settled by New England families, and Congregational, Methodist, and Baptist church registers can be valuable for this period. These records may be held by local churches, the Historical Society, or the Pennsylvania State Archives.
Bradford County Related Records and Offices
The Bradford County Prothonotary at 301 Main Street, Towanda, PA 18848, phone 570-265-1717, maintains civil court records including wrongful death cases and estate disputes. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Civil dockets are also searchable online through the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System portal.
The Bradford County Recorder of Deeds, also at 301 Main Street, Towanda, PA 18848, phone 570-265-1702, keeps all real estate records from 1816 to present. Property transfers after a death often require a death certificate for legal documentation. The office also maintains military discharge records for Bradford County veterans. Estate-related property transfers create a paper trail that connects to death records and probate filings.
The Pennsylvania Orphans' Court directory lists the Bradford County court clerk contact for estate proceedings. For a broader view of available genealogical resources, the Pennsylvania genealogy vital records page describes state-level resources for death record research.
Cities in Bradford County
No cities from our directory are currently listed for this county.
Nearby Counties
Bradford County borders several other northern Pennsylvania counties. If you are not sure which county holds the death record you need, check the town of death or the deceased's last known residence.