Butler County Death Records and Obituaries
Butler County obituary and death records are split between the county Register of Wills and the Pennsylvania Division of Vital Records depending on the year of death. Butler County was formed on March 12, 1800 from parts of Allegheny County and named after Richard Butler, a Revolutionary War general. The county seat is Butler, which has served as the center of county government since the county's founding. This page explains how to find Butler County death certificates, historical obituary materials, and related genealogical resources.
Butler County Quick Facts
Butler County Register of Wills
The Butler County Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' Court is the primary local office for early death records and estate proceedings. Sarah E. Edwards serves as Register of Wills for Butler County. The office holds birth and death records from 1893 to 1905 at the county level. All birth and death records from 1906 to the present are kept at the state Division of Vital Records in New Castle. Marriage records begin in 1885 and are maintained at the Register of Wills. Orphans' Court cases date back to 1800. Probate and administration records also begin in 1800.
The office is at 124 West Diamond Street, Government Center, Level L, P.O. Box 1208, Butler, PA 16001. Phone is 724-284-5354. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. The office offers virtual probate services, which is a useful option for those who cannot visit in person. Certified copies of marriage licenses originally obtained in Butler County are available for $5 for in-office pickup. Mailed requests for certified marriage licenses total $13, covering research, mailing, and processing fees. Fees are waived for active military and veterans.
The image below is from the Butler County Register of Wills page, which is the official county resource for estate records and early local death and birth data in Butler County.
The Butler County Register of Wills office holds county-level birth and death records from 1893 to 1905 and estate records going back to the county's founding in 1800.
| Office |
Butler County Register of Wills 124 West Diamond Street, Government Center, Level L Butler, PA 16001 Phone: 724-284-5354 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM |
| Records | Birth and death records 1893-1905; marriage licenses 1885-present; probate records from 1800 |
Note: Butler County death and birth records at the county level only go through 1905, one year earlier than many other Pennsylvania counties. All records from 1906 forward are at the state Division of Vital Records.
Butler County Death Certificate Requests
For Butler County deaths from 1906 forward, the Pennsylvania Division of Vital Records in New Castle holds the official record. Under 35 P.S. Section 450.101, Pennsylvania has required statewide death registration since 1906. Certified copies cost $20 each. You can order online through VitalChek or by mailing a request to Division of Vital Records, PO Box 1528, New Castle, PA 16103.
Full instructions are on the Pennsylvania Department of Health death certificates page. You need a valid photo ID. For records with medical information, you also need proof of your relationship to the deceased. Mail orders take about three weeks. Check current processing times before submitting your application.
For older Butler County deaths, the Pennsylvania State Archives maintains historical vital statistics. Their partnership with Ancestry.com allows online access to scanned death certificates for many Butler County deaths from the early 1900s.
Butler County Genealogy Resources
The Butler County Register of Wills maintains dedicated genealogy resources for researchers. These resources include birth and death records from 1893 to 1905, marriage license records from 1885 forward, and probate and estate records going back to 1800. Staff can assist with locating specific records for family history research. Records can be accessed in person during normal business hours. Written requests for research are accepted with appropriate fees. Indexes for estate records and marriage licenses are maintained for quick reference.
Butler County was formed from Allegheny County in 1800, so for deaths or family history in the region before 1800, Allegheny County records may be relevant. The Pennsylvania genealogy vital records page explains the full range of state resources available for death record research. Adoption records in Butler County are impounded by law and are only available by order of court.
Local libraries and historical societies in Butler County also hold newspaper archives and local history collections. Obituary indexes for Butler County newspapers can help fill in family details that official death certificates do not include. Check with the Butler County Library for their local history collection and access to Ancestry Library Edition databases.
Related Butler County Records and Offices
The Butler County government portal at 124 West Diamond Street, Butler, PA 16001, links to all county departments and services. The Prothonotary handles civil court records including wrongful death filings and estate disputes in the Court of Common Pleas. You can search civil dockets through the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System portal online.
The Orphans' Court division in Butler County handles all estate and probate matters. Estate inventories, accountings, and guardianship proceedings filed with the court are public records. The Pennsylvania Orphans' Court clerks directory lists direct contact for the Butler County court clerk. Property transfers that follow a death also go through the Butler County Recorder of Deeds, and these records connect to death certificates used in estate settlements. The PHMC Archives research page provides online access to older state-held records for Butler County death research.
Cities in Butler County
No cities from our directory are currently listed for this county.
Nearby Counties
Butler County borders several other western Pennsylvania counties. If you are unsure which county holds the record you need, check where the person lived at the time of death.