Luzerne County Obituary and Death Records
Luzerne County death records and obituary materials are maintained by the county Register of Wills and by the Pennsylvania Division of Vital Records. Luzerne County sits in northeastern Pennsylvania's Wyoming Valley and is centered on Wilkes-Barre, the county seat. Known historically as the "Diamond City," Wilkes-Barre and the surrounding coal region have a rich history that makes Luzerne County a significant area for genealogical research. This page covers where to find Luzerne County death records, what offices hold them, and how to request copies.
Luzerne County Quick Facts
Luzerne County Register of Wills
The Luzerne County Register of Wills also serves as Clerk of the Orphans' Court. The office maintains historical birth and death records from 1893 to 1906. These records predate Pennsylvania's statewide registration system and are the county's primary source for early death documentation. The office also holds marriage license records from 1885 to the present and handles probate and estate administration for county residents.
The office is located at the Luzerne County Courthouse, 200 North River Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711. You can reach the Register of Wills at 570-825-1668 during office hours. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Staff can help you locate historical Luzerne County death records and guide you through the process of obtaining copies. For the county government portal with links to all departments, visit luzernecounty.org.
The screenshot below was captured from the Luzerne County government website, which serves as the main gateway to county offices and public records.
The Luzerne County portal links directly to the Register of Wills, making it the starting point for anyone researching historical death records or estate documents in the Wyoming Valley.
| Office |
Luzerne County Register of Wills 200 North River Street Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711 Phone: 570-825-1668 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM |
| Records | Death and birth records 1893-1906; marriage licenses 1885-present; estate records |
Note: There is a three-day waiting period for new marriage licenses issued in Luzerne County, and both applicants must appear in person with valid identification.
Luzerne County Death Certificate Requests
For deaths in Luzerne County from 1906 to the present, certified copies of death certificates are issued by the Pennsylvania Division of Vital Records. The governing law is 35 P.S. Section 450.101, and the regulations under 28 Pa. Code Chapter 1 outline how vital records are kept and who may access them.
You can request a Luzerne County death certificate online through VitalChek, by mail to the Division of Vital Records, PO Box 1528, New Castle, PA 16103, or in person at one of the state's six walk-in offices. The fee is $20 per certified copy. Mail requests typically take about three weeks. Expedited service is available through VitalChek. Submit proof of your relationship to the deceased if the record is less than 50 years old.
Full instructions and the request form are at the Pennsylvania Department of Health death certificates page. For genealogical research on older deaths, free death indices covering 1906 to 1975 are searchable at the PA State Archives death indices page.
Historical Luzerne County Obituary Records
Luzerne County was formed from Northumberland County on September 25, 1786. It is named after Chevalier de la Luzerne, the French ambassador to the United States during the Revolutionary War. Wilkes-Barre, the county seat since 1786, sits at the heart of the Wyoming Valley. The county's coal mining heritage brought waves of immigrants from Eastern Europe, Ireland, and Wales in the 19th and early 20th centuries. That immigration history means Luzerne County obituary records often reflect multiple cultural backgrounds and languages.
Local newspapers published in Wilkes-Barre and other Luzerne County communities have long included obituary sections. The Wilkes-Barre Times Leader and earlier papers have published notices for generations. These newspaper archives are an important resource for obituary research and often contain family details that do not appear on official death certificates. Many older issues have been microfilmed and are accessible through local libraries and the Pennsylvania State Library.
For records older than 1893, church registers from the many ethnic congregations in the coal region are often the best source. Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox, and Jewish communities maintained burial registers for their members. Many of these records have been indexed and are accessible through genealogical organizations. The state vital records genealogy page provides guidance on researching these early materials.
Genealogy Resources for Luzerne County Deaths
Several statewide and local resources support Luzerne County death and obituary research. The Pennsylvania State Archives vital statistics page provides online access to death indices from 1906 to 1975. These free indices are a good first step when you know the approximate date of death. They confirm names and dates, and you can then order the full certificate from the Division of Vital Records.
Luzerne County's coal region history makes it a subject of significant genealogical interest. Many families from the anthracite coal towns trace their ancestry through the Register of Wills and local church archives. The FamilySearch Pennsylvania vital records wiki lists collections relevant to Luzerne County, including digitized records that can be searched for free. The State Library genealogy guide is another starting point for locating Luzerne County-specific collections.
The Pennsylvania Orphans' Court directory confirms contact information for the Luzerne County Orphans' Court, which handles wills, estate administration, and guardianship records. Probate files at the Register of Wills are another key source for death-related records, since estate cases typically document the date and circumstances of a death.
Cities in Luzerne County
Scranton is a nearby city in Lackawanna County. No cities from our directory are currently listed within Luzerne County itself.
Nearby Pennsylvania Counties
Luzerne County borders several other Pennsylvania counties. If you are not sure which county holds the record you need, check where the deceased lived or died.