Westmoreland County Obituaries and Death Records
Westmoreland County death records and obituaries are maintained by the Register of Wills in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. Westmoreland County holds a unique place in state history as the first county created west of the Allegheny Mountains, formed in 1773 from Bedford County. The Register of Wills office holds historical death records from 1893 to 1906 and handles all estate matters for the county. Death certificates from 1906 forward are available through the Pennsylvania Department of Health. This page covers how to search Westmoreland County death and obituary records and where to find the right office for your request.
Westmoreland County Quick Facts
Westmoreland County Register of Wills
The Westmoreland County Register of Wills also serves as Clerk of Orphans' Court. The office is located at the Westmoreland County Courthouse, 2 North Main Street, Suite 301, in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. You can reach the office by phone at (724) 830-3196. Staff are available to help with records searches, probate filings, and estate administration during regular business hours. The office maintains historical death records from 1893 through 1906 and marriage license records going back to 1885.
The Westmoreland County Register of Wills website provides forms, fee schedules, and information about services the office provides. The county government homepage at co.westmoreland.pa.us links to all county departments, including the Register of Wills and Recorder of Deeds. Greensburg, the county seat, is located east of Pittsburgh and has served as the center of Westmoreland County government since the county was established.
| Office |
Westmoreland County Register of Wills Westmoreland County Courthouse 2 North Main Street, Suite 301 Greensburg, PA 15601 Phone: (724) 830-3196 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM |
| Website | co.westmoreland.pa.us |
Westmoreland County Death Certificate Requests
For deaths that occurred in Westmoreland County from 1906 forward, certified death certificates are available through the Pennsylvania Division of Vital Records. The fee is $20 per certified copy. Applications can be submitted online, by mail, or in person at a state vital records office. Standard processing takes approximately three weeks. The state death certificate page has the application forms and instructions you need to start your request.
Expedited processing is available through VitalChek for an additional fee. Check the state's posted current processing times to see how long your request is likely to take. When you apply, you will need the full name of the deceased, the date and county of death, and documentation of your relationship or legal interest in the record.
For deaths between 1893 and 1906, contact the Register of Wills office in Greensburg directly. Those records are kept at the county level and are not part of the state vital records system.
Westmoreland County Historical Death Records
Westmoreland County has the longest county history of any county west of the Allegheny Mountains in Pennsylvania. It was formed on February 26, 1773, from Bedford County, nearly three years before American independence. The county is named after the historic county of Westmoreland in England. Greensburg was established as the county seat and has held that role for more than 250 years. During the Revolutionary War and the years that followed, Westmoreland County was a major gateway for settlers moving west through the mountains. Families from Virginia, Maryland, and the eastern Pennsylvania counties came through in large numbers, and many settled here permanently.
The county's coal and steel industries drew waves of immigrants in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Towns like Jeannette, Monessen, and Latrobe grew rapidly. This period of growth means that large numbers of death records from that era are held at both the county and state levels. For deaths before statewide registration in 1906, the county office holds records from 1893 onward. For earlier deaths, church records and cemetery registers are the main sources. Many of Westmoreland County's historic cemeteries have been indexed, and those records are searchable through genealogy databases and local historical societies.
Newspapers like the Greensburg Tribune-Review and its predecessors published detailed obituaries for Westmoreland County residents for generations. The Pennsylvania State Archives holds microfilm collections that include early vital records indexes for the county. The Archives research portal allows you to check online what materials are available before making a trip to Harrisburg.
Note: Westmoreland County probate records date back to 1773, making them among the oldest in western Pennsylvania. Estate files from before 1893 are among the best death record substitutes for that period.
Westmoreland County Genealogy Death Research
The depth of Westmoreland County history makes it a rich area for genealogical research. The Pennsylvania State Archives vital statistics records include statewide indexes and death registers that cover Westmoreland County entries. Some indexes are searchable online. For original records, researchers can visit the State Archives in Harrisburg or request document copies by mail.
The Pennsylvania genealogy records program allows access to death certificates that are more than 50 years old without requiring proof of direct relation. This is valuable for anyone tracing Westmoreland County ancestors who died in the mid-1900s or earlier. The program covers records going back to 1906, giving researchers access to several decades of death certificates through a single application process.
Westmoreland County's probate records are particularly strong. Estate files, wills, and letters of administration date back to 1773. These documents are kept at the Register of Wills office and are open to the public. They contain family names, property descriptions, and heir information that can confirm death dates and family connections across multiple generations.
Related Westmoreland County Records
Other Westmoreland County offices hold records tied to death and estate research. The Recorder of Deeds maintains property transfer records. After a death, real estate often changes hands, and deed records can help confirm dates and identify heirs. The Prothonotary handles civil court matters, including any disputes over an estate. These files are public and are stored at the Westmoreland County Courthouse in Greensburg.
The Pennsylvania Orphans' Court system oversees estate proceedings across all 67 counties. For Westmoreland County, these matters go through the Register of Wills. Guardian records, adoption files, and estate administrations are all part of this system. Because Westmoreland County was formed in 1773, its Orphans' Court records are some of the oldest west of the Alleghenies. Anyone researching a family with deep roots in southwestern Pennsylvania should check these files as part of their death research.
Cities in Westmoreland County
No cities from our directory are currently listed for this county.
Nearby Counties
Westmoreland County borders five other Pennsylvania counties in the southwest region. Families in this area often moved between these counties, so checking neighboring records can fill in gaps in your research.