Scranton Death Records
Scranton death records are accessible through several channels depending on the year of death. Scranton is the county seat of Lackawanna County and the sixth-largest city in Pennsylvania, with a population near 77,000. Pre-1906 records fall under the Lackawanna County Clerk of Orphans Court. A walk-in Vital Records office at the Scranton State Office Building serves the area for post-1906 certificates. Historical undertaker records and the Lackawanna Historical Society add further depth for genealogical research.
Scranton Quick Facts
Scranton City Government and Archives
The City of Scranton has a dedicated Public Health department and maintains city archives for historical records. The Scranton city government page lists all departments, boards, and commissions. For general questions, contact Scranton 311 at Scranton311@scrantonpa.gov. City departments include Business Administration, Economic and Community Development, and Public Works. The Health Advisory Council and Historical Architecture Review Board are among the active boards and commissions that support city operations.
The Scranton City Archives is available for historical records research. The archives were last updated February 7, 2023. City records going back many decades are accessible through this office for researchers interested in municipal history. The archives hold documents related to city government operations, which can supplement death record research in some cases. For example, city health department records and permit files may contain information relevant to deaths that involved city services. The archives do not hold certified death certificates, but they can provide context that supports a broader research effort. For the official death certificate, use the PA Department of Health system described below.
Note: Scranton city archives are separate from the official vital records system. Death certificates must be requested through the PA Department of Health or its walk-in offices.
Scranton Vital Records Office Death Certificates
Scranton has a walk-in Pennsylvania Department of Health office at the Scranton State Office Building, Room 112. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, excluding state holidays. This is one of six walk-in locations in Pennsylvania. Arriving early improves your chance of same-day service. The office handles certified death certificates for deaths anywhere in Pennsylvania since 1906, not just Lackawanna County.
The fee is $20 per certified copy. Mail requests go to: Division of Vital Records, PO Box 1528, New Castle, PA 16103. Phone: 724-656-3100 or 844-228-3516. Online orders through mycertificates.health.pa.gov via VitalChek carry an additional $10 processing fee. Two certificate versions exist: one with full medical information and one without medical information for deaths after 2019 only. Most legal and genealogical uses require the full version. View all six walk-in locations at the PA Vital Records Public Offices page.
Note: Death certificates become public records 50 years after the death date. Requests for pre-1976 deaths do not require proof of relationship to the deceased.
Lackawanna Historical Society Scranton Records
The Lackawanna Historical Society is headquartered at the Catlin House in Scranton's Hill Section. The building is the former residence of George H. Catlin, who died in 1935. It was built in 1912 as a three-story, sixteen-room residence in the Tudor Revival style. The home features walnut woodwork, molded plaster ceilings, and brass lighting fixtures. Three-paneled stained glass windows and six fireplaces give the building a character that reflects the late 19th and early 20th century style of Scranton's prosperous families. The decor is intentionally reminiscent of that era, creating an immersive environment for historical research visits.
The Society holds records and collections relevant to Lackawanna County and Scranton history, including genealogical resources. Scranton Undertakers records for 1870, 1902, and 1909 are available through Lackawanna County GenWeb, which is a free online resource. These undertaker records can document deaths that may not appear in civil registration records, particularly for the earlier years. Lackawanna County death records from 1893 through 1905 were recorded by the Clerk of Orphans Court, following the statewide pattern for that period. Combining the Historical Society's holdings with the county court records and PA State Archives gives Scranton researchers a strong foundation for any death research project.
Note: Lackawanna County was formed from Luzerne County in 1878. For deaths before 1878 in the Scranton area, look for records in Luzerne County collections.
Scranton Death Index in PA State Archives
The Pennsylvania State Archives holds original death certificates for Lackawanna 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 provide a certificate number that you use to order a certified copy from the Division of Vital Records.
Access the PA State Archives Death Indices 1906-1975 online at no cost. Search by name and year to find Scranton and Lackawanna County deaths within this range. For deaths after 1975, contact the Division of Vital Records directly. Combining the online indices with the Scranton walk-in office gives researchers a fast verification path and a convenient local source for certified copies. For genealogical research, the Ancestry.com digitized certificates add full visual copies of the original documents, which often include handwritten notes, physician signatures, and other details not visible in the index alone.
How to Request Scranton Death Certificates
Scranton residents can request a certified death certificate in three ways. Walk-in service at the Scranton State Office Building, Room 112 is the most direct. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Bring a valid photo ID and pay by check or money order. The fee is $20 per certified copy. Walk-in offices do not accept cash or credit cards.
Online ordering through mycertificates.health.pa.gov via VitalChek is available around the clock. 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 after processing. This option works well when an in-person visit is not convenient.
Mail requests skip the online processing fee. 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. Mail to: Division of Vital Records, PO Box 1528, New Castle, PA 16103. Phone: 724-656-3100 or 844-228-3516. Allow several weeks for mail processing. For estate and legal matters, ordering multiple certified copies at once is practical. Each copy costs $20. Most estate settlements require three or more certified copies to satisfy all parties. Ordering together in a single request saves time and avoids repeat applications. Death certificates become public records 50 years after the date of death. For deaths before 1976, any person may request a copy without proving a family connection. For recent deaths, eligible requestors include the spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, and legal representatives. A "No Record Certification of Death" confirms the search was completed if no record is found. This document can support legal proceedings when an official response is needed. The PA Vital Records Public Offices page lists all six walk-in locations. Scranton is the only walk-in office serving northeastern Pennsylvania, making it convenient for residents of Lackawanna, Luzerne, and surrounding counties.
Note: The Scranton walk-in office handles death certificates for all of Pennsylvania, not just Lackawanna County. Researchers from nearby counties can use it for any statewide death record request.
Lackawanna County Death Records
Lackawanna County encompasses Scranton and surrounding communities in northeastern Pennsylvania. The county page covers additional death record resources, county court records, and research tools for the greater Lackawanna County area.
Nearby Pennsylvania Cities
Other major Pennsylvania cities have their own death record resources and offices. Select a city below for local guidance.