Lancaster County Death and Obituary Records
Lancaster County obituary and death records go back nearly 300 years, making this one of the most historically rich counties in Pennsylvania for genealogical research. The Lancaster County Register of Wills holds probate files from 1729 to the present, and many of these records include death certificates, wills, and estate inventories. The Pennsylvania Department of Health issues certified Lancaster County death certificates from 1906 forward. This guide explains how to search for death notices and vital records in Lancaster County.
Lancaster County Quick Facts
Lancaster County Register of Wills
The Lancaster County Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' Court is one of the oldest probate offices in Pennsylvania. Anne L. Cooper serves as Register of Wills. The office handles all estate filings, probate records, and orphans' court matters for Lancaster County. Probate records from 1729 to the present are maintained here. These files often include the will, estate inventory, and death certificate of the deceased. Lancaster County probate records are among the deepest in the state, reflecting the county's long history.
The office is at the Lancaster County Courthouse, 50 North Duke Street, Lancaster, PA 17602. Call 717-299-8243 for probate and estate matters. Call 717-299-8242 for general information. An information line is available at 717-295-3522 around the clock. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The office also maintains historical birth and death records from 1893 to 1906.
Lancaster County was formed from Chester County on May 10, 1729. The city of Lancaster is the oldest inland city in the United States. The county is known across the country for its Amish and Mennonite heritage, its rich farmland, and its role in Pennsylvania history. These communities have unique genealogical records that differ from those of other Lancaster County families. Learn more about Lancaster County probate records at co.lancaster.pa.us probate records.
The Lancaster County Government Portal at co.lancaster.pa.us provides online access to probate records, estate files, and contact information for all county offices.
| Office |
Lancaster County Register of Wills Lancaster County Courthouse 50 North Duke Street Lancaster, PA 17602 Phone: 717-299-8243 (probate) Phone: 717-299-8242 (general) |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Adoptions | 717-295-2001 |
| Website | co.lancaster.pa.us |
Note: Lancaster County probate records from 1996 to the present are searchable online, making it one of the more accessible county offices for remote research.
Lancaster County Death Certificate Orders
The Pennsylvania Department of Health issues certified death certificates for Lancaster County from 1906 to the present. Each certificate shows the full name, date and place of death, cause, and information about the deceased's next of kin and attending physician or coroner. Certified copies are required for most legal purposes, including settling estates, transferring property, and claiming benefits.
You can order a Lancaster County death certificate online through VitalChek. Mail requests go to the Division of Vital Records, PO Box 1528, New Castle, PA 16103. Walk-in service is at the New Castle office. The fee is $20 per certified copy. Standard processing takes about three weeks. Visit pa.gov vital records processing times to check current wait times before submitting your order.
Access to certified copies is limited to immediate family members, legal representatives, and others with a documented need. For genealogy research, records more than 50 years old are accessible under the state genealogy program. Visit pa.gov genealogy to learn how to request older Lancaster County death records for family history purposes.
Historical Lancaster County Obituary Records
Lancaster County has more than two centuries of recorded death and estate history. Estate records from 1729 are held at the Register of Wills and cover the full span of Lancaster County history. These records reflect the rich diversity of Lancaster County families, including English settlers, German immigrants, Amish and Mennonite communities, and later waves of migrants from many other backgrounds.
Local newspapers in Lancaster County have published obituary notices for generations. The Lancaster Intelligencer, the Lancaster New Era, and LancasterOnline have all carried death notices for Lancaster County residents. Microfilm of historic Lancaster County newspapers is available at the Lancaster County Library and the Lancaster Theological Seminary library. Obituary notices from Lancaster County often include the name of the church, the cemetery, and surviving family members not named in official records.
Amish and Mennonite communities in Lancaster County have their own records of death and burial that are often maintained within the community rather than at county offices. Church district records and community newsletters called "The Budget" and "Die Botschaft" often include death notices for Amish Lancaster County families. These can be accessed through specialized genealogical collections and the Muddy Creek Farm Library.
The Pennsylvania State Archives holds early vital statistics for Lancaster County. Search online at pa.gov state archives for records from 1893 to 1906 that are available digitally.
Lancaster County Death Genealogy Resources
Genealogy researchers in Lancaster County have exceptional resources available. The Lancaster County Library in Lancaster city has a local history room with obituary files, county history books, and cemetery indexes. The library staff can help you find the right collections for your search.
The Lancaster County Historical Society and the Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society both hold primary sources related to Lancaster County deaths, burials, and family histories. These organizations have extensive archives covering centuries of Lancaster County history. FamilySearch has digitized many Lancaster County records, including probate files and church registers. Ancestry also holds large Lancaster County collections. The PHMC Archives at phmc.pa.gov holds statewide vital statistics and genealogical materials.
Lancaster County probate records searchable online from 1996 forward are available at co.lancaster.pa.us probate records. For older paper records, a visit to the courthouse in Lancaster is required. Certified copies can also be ordered by mail from the Register of Wills office.
Related Lancaster County Record Offices
The Lancaster County Recorder of Deeds holds land records that often change hands after a death. Estate transfers appear in deed books and can confirm when a person died even when probate records are unavailable. The Recorder of Deeds is also in the Lancaster County Courthouse on North Duke Street in Lancaster.
The Lancaster County Coroner investigates deaths that are sudden, violent, or unexplained. Coroner records are public and can supplement official death certificates with more detail about circumstances. The Orphans' Court in Lancaster County handles guardianship and custody matters arising when parents die. These files are searchable by name at the courthouse.
For probate court information, the Pennsylvania Orphans' Court directory is at pacourts.us orphans court clerks. The state death certificate program is described at pa.gov death certificates.
Cities in Lancaster County
Lancaster city is the county seat of Lancaster County and the oldest inland city in the United States. All probate, estate, and death records for Lancaster County are filed at the Lancaster County Courthouse in the city of Lancaster.
Lancaster city has been the heart of county government since 1729. Its courthouse holds one of the oldest continuous sets of probate and death records in Pennsylvania.
Nearby Counties
Lancaster County is in south-central Pennsylvania and borders several other counties. If you are searching for records near a county border, check neighboring county offices as well.