Bucks County Pennsylvania Death Records
Bucks County obituary and death records are held at the county Register of Wills in Doylestown and through the Pennsylvania Division of Vital Records for deaths from 1906 forward. Bucks County is one of the three original counties created by William Penn in 1682, making it one of the oldest counties in the United States. The county seat is Doylestown, and the county has kept extensive historical records dating back to the colonial period. This page explains how to find Bucks County death certificates and where to research historical obituaries.
Bucks County Quick Facts
Bucks County Register of Wills
The Bucks County Register of Wills is the office most researchers start with for local death-related records. The Register's principal duties include probating wills and accepting for filing all documents needed to complete the administration of a decedent's estate. If a person dies without a will, the Register appoints an administrator of the estate upon petition. The Register is also the agent for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to collect inheritance tax. As Clerk of the Orphans' Court, the office serves as the filing office and custodian of records for adoptions, guardianship, and estate litigation.
The main office is at 55 East Court Street, 6th Floor, Doylestown, PA 18901. The primary phone number is 215-348-6265. Both virtual and in-person appointments are available; call 215-348-6254 or 215-348-6264 to schedule. Hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM on weekdays. For Lower Bucks County, there is a Government Service Center at 7321 New Falls Road, Levittown, PA 19055, phone 267-580-3585. Upper Bucks County is served by the Government Service Center at 261 California Road, Quakertown, PA 18951, phone 215-348-6266.
Historical birth and death records from 1893 to 1906 are available at the Register of Wills office. Marriage license records go back to 1885. Doylestown has served as the county seat since 1812, and Bucks County's records are among the most complete and extensive of any Pennsylvania county.
The image below is from the Bucks County government portal, which provides direct access to all county offices and records services for residents and researchers.
The Bucks County Register of Wills office in Doylestown administers estates, holds historical birth and death records, and serves as the Clerk of Orphans' Court for one of Pennsylvania's oldest counties.
| Main Office |
Bucks County Register of Wills 55 East Court Street, 6th Floor Doylestown, PA 18901 Phone: 215-348-6265 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
| Lower Bucks | 7321 New Falls Rd, Levittown, PA 19055 | Phone: 267-580-3585 |
| Upper Bucks | 261 California Rd, Quakertown, PA 18951 | Phone: 215-348-6266 |
Note: The Bucks County Register of Wills offers both virtual and in-person appointments, which makes it more accessible than many other Pennsylvania county offices for out-of-county researchers.
Bucks County Death Certificate Requests
For Bucks County deaths from 1906 forward, the Pennsylvania Division of Vital Records holds the state record. Under 35 P.S. Section 450.101, Pennsylvania has required statewide death registration since 1906. Certified copies cost $20. Order 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 explains the full process and eligibility. You will need a valid photo ID. For records with medical information, proof of relationship is required. Mail requests take about three weeks. Check current processing times before submitting. You can also access court-related Bucks County death records through the Bucks County court public records page.
Uncertified copy fees at the Recorder of Deeds are $0.25 per page. Certified copies are $5 per document. The Court Open Records Officer at 215-348-6700 handles requests for divorce records and other court filings.
Historical Bucks County Obituary Records
Bucks County was founded in 1682 and has some of the oldest records in Pennsylvania. William Penn himself owned land in the county. The Bucks County Historical Society operates the Mercer Museum Research Library, which is the major research center for local and family history. The library holds over 17,000 items documenting local history and the life of Henry Chapman Mercer.
The Bucks County Historical Society collection includes published materials, family bibles, atlases, and rare imprints. Wills from 1713 to 1906 and general indexes to wills from 1682 to 1939 are available for research. Orphans' Court records from 1683 to 1866 are on file. Tombstone inscriptions from Bucks County cemeteries have been transcribed and preserved. Death notices from the Bucks County Intelligencer newspaper from 1835 to 1860 are available. Bible records from 1676 to 1938 are indexed. This is one of the deepest local genealogical collections in Pennsylvania.
For more recent Bucks County obituaries, local newspapers like the Bucks County Courier Times and the Intelligencer have published death notices for decades. Many funeral homes in the county maintain online obituary archives as well.
Related Bucks County Records and Resources
The Bucks County Recorder of Deeds is located at 55 East Court Street, 6th Floor, Doylestown, PA 18901. Phone is 215-348-6209. Property transfers from estates require death certificates as part of the documentation, making Recorder of Deeds records a useful complement to probate files. Deeds can be searched online through the county Recorder's website. The Pennsylvania Orphans' Court directory provides direct contact for the Bucks County clerk who handles estate matters.
The Pennsylvania genealogy vital records page describes statewide resources for death record research. The PHMC Archives research page provides online access to older Bucks County death certificates through the State Archives and Ancestry.com partnership.
Cities in Bucks County
Bucks County includes several large communities. Death records for residents of all Bucks County communities fall under the county's jurisdiction for local records and the state Division of Vital Records for certified copies.
Bensalem and Levittown are two of the largest communities in Bucks County. The Lower Bucks County Government Service Center in Levittown provides Register of Wills services closer to these residents.
Nearby Counties
Bucks County is in southeastern Pennsylvania and borders several other counties. Make sure you request records from the county where the death occurred.