Bensalem Death Records
Bensalem death records are available through Bucks County services and the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Bensalem is one of Bucks County's largest townships, with a population near 65,000. As a township, it does not maintain its own vital records office. Death certificates from 1906 forward come through the state system. Bucks County provides additional vital records services, and its Register of Wills holds records going back to 1684. Pre-1906 death records are held by the county's Clerk of Orphans Court.
Bensalem Quick Facts
Bucks County Vital Records for Bensalem
Bucks County provides vital records services for county residents including those in Bensalem Township. The county government offices are at 55 E Court Street, 6th Floor, Doylestown, PA 18901. Phone: 215-348-6219. A public access system is available for online records searches. Bucks County's Register of Wills holds records going back to 1684, making it one of the oldest record collections in Pennsylvania. These historical records support deep genealogical research into Bucks County families.
The Bucks County Vital Records page lists services, fees, and contact information for county-level vital records access. Certified Birth and Death Records from 1893 through 1906 cost $25 per copy. These pre-state-system records are held by the Clerk of Orphans Court at the county courthouse. A Bucks County Genealogical Search Request covering 1684 through 1950 costs $25 per name. This search service can help locate records for ancestors whose exact death date is unknown. Combining the county's genealogical search with the PA State Archives Death Indices gives researchers two complementary tools for tracing Bensalem family history across different time periods. The Register of Wills also handles estate filings, which often document the date and circumstances of a death even when a death certificate is unavailable or incomplete.
Note: Bucks County vital records services cover the pre-1906 period. Post-1906 death certificates come through the PA Department of Health, not the county.
Bensalem Death Certificates Since 1906
Death certificates for Bensalem residents from 1906 to the present are available through the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Order online at mycertificates.health.pa.gov via VitalChek, the only authorized vendor. The fee is $20 per certificate plus a $10 processing fee for online orders. Mail requests go to: Division of Vital Records, PO Box 1528, New Castle, PA 16103. Phone: 724-656-3100 or 844-228-3516. Walk-in services are available at six Vital Records Branch Offices across Pennsylvania.
Two certificate versions are available. The standard version includes medical information: cause and manner of death along with clinical details. The second version, available only for deaths after 2019, omits medical information. Most legal and genealogical uses require the full version. Eligible applicants include the spouse, ex-spouse, parent, step-parent, sibling, child, step-child, grandparent, and grandchild of the deceased, as well as legal representatives and those with a direct financial interest in the estate. A valid government-issued photo ID and completed application are required. A "No Record Certification of Death" is issued if the record cannot be found. This document confirms the search was conducted and can be useful when an official response is needed for legal purposes. The PA death certificates page has current forms, fee schedules, and complete instructions for all request methods.
Note: Death certificates become public records 50 years after the date of death. Requests for records older than 50 years do not require proof of relationship to the deceased.
Bensalem Death Index in PA State Archives
The Pennsylvania State Archives holds original death certificates for Bucks County from 1906 through 1974. Digital copies for 1906 through 1972 are on Ancestry.com, accessible free to Pennsylvania residents through the State Library. The free Death Indices at the State Archives cover 1906 through 1975 and are searchable online by name and year. These indices are a fast way to verify a death before ordering a certified copy.
Access the PA State Archives Death Indices 1906-1975 online. Search results include name, county, year, and certificate number. Use the number to request a copy through the Division of Vital Records. For genealogical research on Bensalem families, pairing the online indices with the Bucks County genealogical search service gives you both a statewide tool and a county-specific option. Bucks County's 1684 records give this county unusually deep historical depth compared to most Pennsylvania counties, where pre-1893 civil records are sparse or absent.
How to Order Bensalem Death Certificates
Ordering a death certificate for a Bensalem resident is straightforward once you know which method fits your situation. Online ordering through mycertificates.health.pa.gov is the fastest option for most people. You complete the form, upload a copy of your ID, and pay by credit card. VitalChek processes the payment and routes the request to the Division of Vital Records. Processing times vary but are typically faster than mail requests.
Mail requests give you a paper trail and avoid the $10 online processing fee. Complete the application form available from the PA Department of Health website. Include a photocopy of your valid government-issued photo ID. Make your check or money order payable to "Vital Records" for $20 per copy. Mail the packet to: Division of Vital Records, PO Box 1528, New Castle, PA 16103. Allow several weeks for mail processing.
Walk-in service is available at six Vital Records Branch Offices across Pennsylvania. The nearest to Bensalem is Philadelphia at 110 North 8th Street, Suite 108, accessible by car or SEPTA regional rail. Same-day service may be available before 10:00 am. Payment at walk-in offices requires check or money order. Cash and credit cards are not accepted at the walk-in counter. If you need multiple copies, each copy costs $20 regardless of how many you order at once. Ordering several copies at once during a single request is more efficient than submitting separate requests. Estates and probate proceedings often require three or more certified copies to satisfy all parties involved.
Note: The Division of Vital Records issues a "No Record Certification" if a search cannot locate the requested death certificate. This document confirms the search was completed and can be used when official documentation of the absence of a record is needed.
Bucks County Death Records
Bucks County encompasses Bensalem and dozens of surrounding townships and boroughs. The county page covers additional death record resources, county court records, and research tools for the Bucks County area.
Nearby Pennsylvania Cities
Neighboring communities in the Philadelphia region and Bucks County have their own death record resources. Select a location for local guidance.