Erie Death Records
Erie death records go back to 1875, giving researchers one of the deeper pre-statewide collections in Pennsylvania. Erie County's Clerk of Records holds death records for 1893 through 1905. A walk-in Vital Records office at 1910 West 26th Street serves the Erie area for post-1906 certificates. City of Erie death records beginning in 1875 add another layer for historical research. Multiple offices and collections make Erie a well-documented city for genealogical work.
Erie Quick Facts
Erie County Clerk of Records Death Index
The Erie County Clerk of Records maintains birth and death records for 1893 through 1905. The office is in the Erie County Courthouse at 140 West Sixth Street, Erie, PA 16501. Phone: 814-451-6258. Members of the public may search records independently during business hours. If you prefer, the office will conduct the search for a $20 fee. Independent searching at no cost is a useful option for researchers who want to browse the records themselves.
The Clerk of Records also holds marriage records from 1885, using the contact at Room 123, phone 814-451-6264. Probate records dating back to 1823 are at the Register of Wills in Room 122, phone 814-451-6260. When researching a death from the early 1900s, combining death records with probate filings from the same period often reveals additional family details. The courthouse holds all three types of records, so a single visit can cover multiple research needs. The Erie County Clerk of Records information page provides current hours and search instructions. Online court records are also accessible through courtpro.eriecountypa.gov for case index lookups.
Note: The Clerk of Records handles death records only for 1893 through 1905. For deaths before 1893 or after 1905, different sources apply.
Erie City Death Records Beginning 1875
City of Erie death records exist beginning July 5, 1875. This makes Erie unusual among Pennsylvania cities in having municipal records that predate the 1893 county-level system. Records from 1894 through 1905 are held by the Erie County Historical Society at 356 West Sixth Street, Erie, PA 16501. Phone: 814-454-1813. These records document city deaths from a period when state-level tracking did not yet exist, making the Historical Society a key stop for late 19th century Erie research.
The Historical Society's collection complements the Clerk of Records' holdings from 1893 onward. There is some overlap, but the Society's records for 1875 through 1893 fill a gap not covered by the courthouse. Researchers working on Erie family history from the 1880s should check both the Society and any church or cemetery records from that period. Church records are especially useful because civil registration was inconsistent before 1893. The Historical Society may also have city directories, newspaper obituaries, and other secondary sources that support death research from this era.
Note: Deaths from 1894 through 1905 may appear in both the Clerk of Records collection and the Erie County Historical Society collection, as records from that period were sometimes duplicated across offices.
Erie Vital Records Branch Office
Erie has a dedicated Pennsylvania Department of Health walk-in office at 1910 West 26th Street, Erie, PA 16508-1148. Phone: (814) 871-4261. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, excluding state holidays. Same-day processing is available if you arrive no later than 1:30 pm. This is the fastest way to get a certified copy of a death certificate for Erie County residents who can visit in person.
The fee is $20 per certified copy. Payment is by check or money order only at this office. For state death records more broadly, the Pennsylvania Deaths from 1906 to present are also accessible through the Bureau of Vital Statistics at 156 East 14th Street, Erie, PA 16503. Phone: 724-656-3100 or 844-228-3516. Mail requests go to: Division of Vital Records, PO Box 1528, New Castle, PA 16103. Online orders through mycertificates.health.pa.gov via VitalChek add a $10 processing fee. The PA Vital Records Public Offices page lists all six walk-in locations statewide. Death certificates become public records 50 years after the date of death, so certificates for deaths before 1976 are open to any requester.
Erie Death Index in PA State Archives
Original Erie County death certificates from 1906 through 1974 are held at the Pennsylvania State Archives in Harrisburg. Digital copies for 1906 through 1972 are on Ancestry.com, accessible free for 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 the fastest way to confirm a death and retrieve a certificate number before ordering a copy.
Access the PA State Archives Death Indices 1906-1975 online at no cost. Search results include name, county, year, and certificate number. Use the certificate number to request a copy through the Division of Vital Records. Combining the online indices with the Erie walk-in office gives researchers both a fast verification tool and a convenient local source for certified copies.
Note: Erie County deaths from 1906 through the present follow the same statewide rules as all other Pennsylvania counties. No special procedures are needed for Erie-specific searches in the state system.
How to Request Erie Death Certificates
Erie residents have three main options for requesting a certified death certificate. In-person service at the Erie walk-in office is the fastest for most people. Arrive at 1910 West 26th Street before 1:30 pm for same-day processing. Bring a valid photo ID and pay by check or money order. The fee is $20 per copy. No cash or credit cards are accepted at this office.
Online ordering through mycertificates.health.pa.gov via VitalChek works well when visiting in person is not practical. The fee is $20 per certificate plus a $10 online processing fee. Upload a copy of your ID and pay by credit card. The certified copy ships by mail. Processing times are generally faster than mail requests but slower than the walk-in office.
Mail requests skip the online fee entirely. Download the application form from the PA Department of Health website. Include a photocopy of your valid government-issued photo ID. Make a check or money order payable to "Vital Records" for $20 per copy. Send to: Division of Vital Records, PO Box 1528, New Castle, PA 16103. You can also call 724-656-3100 or 844-228-3516 for help by phone. Mail processing takes longer than walk-in or online orders. For estate and legal matters, ordering three or more certified copies at once is practical. Each copy is $20. Most institutions involved in settling an estate want their own certified copy. Submitting a single request for all copies you need avoids multiple separate orders. 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. For recent deaths, eligible requestors must prove they are an immediate family member, legal representative, or person with a direct financial interest. The PA Vital Records Public Offices page lists all six walk-in locations across Pennsylvania.
Note: The Erie walk-in office has same-day processing only for requests submitted by 1:30 pm. Arriving after 1:30 pm means your request processes the next business day.
Erie County Death Records
Erie County encompasses the city of Erie and surrounding townships. The county page covers additional record sources, county court resources, and research tools for the greater Erie area.
Nearby Pennsylvania Cities
Other cities in Pennsylvania have their own death record offices and collections. Select a city for local research information.