Montgomery County Obituary and Death Records
Montgomery County is the most populous suburban county in Pennsylvania and holds a large volume of obituary and death records. The Montgomery County Register of Wills in Norristown is the local office for historical vital records, estate filings, and wills. For death certificates after 1906, the Pennsylvania Department of Health is the correct source. This page guides you through finding Montgomery County death records, whether you need a recent certificate or are tracing a family history going back generations.
Montgomery County Quick Facts
Montgomery County Register of Wills
The Montgomery County Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' Court is located at the Montgomery County Courthouse at Swede and Airy Streets in Norristown. The office manages probate, estate administration, marriage licenses, and historical vital records. Historical birth and death records from 1893 through 1906 are held at this office. Marriage license records from 1885 to the present are also maintained here. Online appointment scheduling is available for some services.
Montgomery County was formed in 1784 from Philadelphia County. It is named after Revolutionary War General Richard Montgomery. Norristown has served as the county seat since the county's formation. As the third-most populous county in Pennsylvania and the largest Philadelphia suburb, Montgomery County holds an enormous number of death records across its many townships and boroughs. The Register of Wills office is a critical resource for anyone researching deaths in this densely populated area.
The Montgomery County Register of Wills office in Norristown handles estate filings, wills, and historical vital records for the county.
The Register of Wills at the Montgomery County Courthouse in Norristown is the local source for historical death records, wills, and estate files.
| Office |
Montgomery County Register of Wills Montgomery County Courthouse Swede and Airy Streets Norristown, PA 19404 Phone: (610) 278-3403 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:15 PM |
| Website | montcopa.org/197/Register-of-Wills |
Ordering a Montgomery County Death Certificate
The Pennsylvania Department of Health issues death certificates for deaths in Montgomery County that occurred after 1906. The Division of Vital Records processes all requests. The fee is $20 per certified copy. Standard processing takes about three weeks. You can order online at the PA vital records portal or through VitalChek for faster service.
For mail applications, send your request to Division of Vital Records, PO Box 1528, New Castle, PA 16103. Include the name of the deceased, the date and place of death, and documentation showing your relationship. Make checks payable to Vital Records. Certified copies are issued to immediate family members and qualified legal representatives. Informational copies without a raised seal are available to others who do not meet the eligibility requirements for a certified copy.
Note: Check current processing times before you submit your request, as Montgomery County's large population contributes to a high volume of vital records requests statewide.
Historical Death and Obituary Records in Montgomery County
Montgomery County's long history as a Philadelphia suburb means it has produced death records across a wide range of communities. Towns like Norristown, Lansdale, Pottstown, Conshohocken, and Ambler each have their own newspapers and historical society collections. Obituaries from the Norristown Times Herald and other local papers span well over a century and document deaths across the entire county.
The Historical Society of Montgomery County in Norristown holds genealogy materials, obituary files, cemetery records, and local history documents. Their collections are searchable and available for in-person research. Many funeral homes in Montgomery County have also maintained their own records going back decades, and some have made these available to genealogy researchers through local historical databases.
The Pennsylvania State Archives holds Montgomery County death records from the 1893 to 1905 registration period. Some of these are accessible online through the PHMC research portal. Churchyards and cemeteries throughout the county, including many dating to the colonial era, offer additional documentation for deaths before state registration was required.
Montgomery County Genealogy Death Research
Estate records at the Montgomery County Register of Wills include wills and inventories filed after deaths going back to the 1700s. These public records name heirs, spouses, and other family members. For genealogy work in a county as populous and historically rich as Montgomery County, these estate files are an essential complement to death certificates and obituaries. Researchers can access them in person at the Norristown courthouse.
The PA State Archives vital statistics records cover the 1893 to 1905 period for all Pennsylvania counties, including Montgomery. Combined with local newspaper archives, historical society holdings, and the Register of Wills files, these sources create a deep well of death and obituary research material for Montgomery County.
For genealogy-specific death record access, visit the PA genealogy vital records program page. The program describes which older records are available for family history research and how to submit a request for Montgomery County deaths from earlier eras.
The full Montgomery County government portal at montcopa.org lists all county departments and contact details. Use it to find the right office for your specific Montgomery County death record need.
Related Montgomery County Record Offices
The Montgomery County Coroner investigates deaths under unusual circumstances across the county's many communities. Coroner records are separate from state death certificates and may include additional cause-of-death detail for accident or unattended death cases in Montgomery County. The Orphans' Court at the courthouse handles probate proceedings tied to estates after death, and those case files are part of the public court record.
The Montgomery County Recorder of Deeds holds property transfer records that often follow a death and estate settlement. These deed records can confirm the transfer of assets from a deceased person's estate. Visit the PA Courts Orphans' Court directory for guidance on accessing probate case files in Montgomery County.
Cities in Montgomery County
Montgomery County includes many communities across its suburban and rural areas. Death records for residents in each municipality are part of the county record system centered in Norristown.
Nearby Counties
Montgomery County is part of the greater Philadelphia region. Deaths near county borders may be recorded in an adjoining county depending on where the person lived at the time.