Pennsylvania Genealogy Records

To begin, add a genealogy record or view a list of locations and resources for Pennsylvania genealogy records.

In Pennsylvania, genealogy records are maintained by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Division of Vital Records. Records are available for events from 1906 to the present. Some records prior to 1906 may be available, but reporting of events was not mandatory and so not all events were recorded. Anyone needing genealogical records prior to 1906 must contact the courthouse of the county in which the event occurred.

Fortunately for researchers, the Division of Vital Records has special rules allowing expanded access to information for genealogy records. Pennsylvania law requires that anyone requesting records for this purpose explicitly state on the request that the information being requested will be used for genealogical purposes. Extended family members must only prove a direct relationship to the person named on the record to have access to death records for family research. Immediate family members may request the birth record of a deceased person, but all other family members must provide a death certificate to gain access to the person's birth certificate.