Clinton County Death Records
Clinton County death records from 1893 to 1905 are held at the Clinton County Courthouse in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania. The county was formed on June 21, 1839 from parts of Centre and Lycoming counties. Before 1893, no public death records were kept at the county level. Records from 1906 forward moved to the Pennsylvania Department of Health Division of Vital Records in New Castle. Researchers tracing Clinton County ancestry rely on courthouse records, wills, and estate files to fill gaps left by early record-keeping practices.
Clinton County Quick Facts
Clinton County Death Index History
Clinton County was carved from Centre and Lycoming counties on June 21, 1839. The county seat, Lock Haven, sits along the West Branch of the Susquehanna River. Early settlement in the region brought steady population growth through the mid-1800s. Death registration, however, did not begin until 1893. That year, counties across Pennsylvania started keeping formal records of deaths and births at the local level. Before that date, no official county death records exist for Clinton County residents.
The death index covers the years 1893 through 1905. These records were maintained by county officials and then transferred to the custody of the courthouse. In 1905, the state moved responsibility for vital records to a centralized system. Since 1905, all birth and death records for Clinton County have been kept in New Castle at the Department of Health Division of Vital Statistics. Researchers must go to two separate sources depending on the date of death they are searching. Records from 1893 to 1905 belong at the courthouse, while everything from 1906 onward belongs with the state.
The Clinton County Courthouse is located at 230 East Water Street, Lock Haven, PA 17745. The Register and Recorders Office holds genealogy records and can conduct fee-based searches. Researchers should contact the office directly to ask about current fees before submitting a request. Staff can help locate death records from the 1893 to 1905 period. They can also direct you to the correct state office for post-1905 records.
Pennsylvania Death Registration in Clinton County
Statewide registration of deaths began in Pennsylvania in 1906. General compliance across all counties, including Clinton, was largely achieved by 1915. The nine-year gap between the start date and full compliance means some deaths in Clinton County between 1906 and 1915 may not have been reported promptly. Researchers should keep this in mind when searching for records from that early transition period.
The Pennsylvania State Archives holds death certificates from 1906 through 1974. Digital copies of certificates from 1906 to 1972 are available on Ancestry.com and are free for Pennsylvania residents to view. The PA State Archives Death Indices cover the years 1906 to 1975 and can be searched at no charge online. These indices provide a starting point for locating a specific certificate. Once you find the index entry, you can order a copy of the original certificate. Death certificates become available to the public 50 years after the date of death, so records from 1975 and earlier are now open for public research.
The PA Division of Vital Records issues certified copies of death certificates from 1906 to the present. Each copy costs $20. You can place orders online through mycertificates.health.pa.gov using VitalChek, the only authorized vendor. Mail requests go to PO Box 1528, New Castle, PA 16103. The office can also be reached by phone at 724-656-3100 or 844-228-3516. For researchers who prefer to visit in person, walk-in offices are open Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 4 PM in Harrisburg, New Castle, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Scranton, and Erie.
Note: The Soundex indexing system was applied to Pennsylvania death records for the periods 1920 to 1924 and 1930 to 1951, which can help researchers find records when exact name spellings are uncertain.
Pre-1893 Clinton County Death Research
Finding deaths before 1893 in Clinton County requires different sources. No formal public death records were kept before that year. Researchers turn to probate records, wills, and estate files instead. Clinton County land and estate records date from 1839 to the present. Wills and estate files often reveal family information including names of heirs, dates of death, and places of residence. Will Books for the years 1839 to 1908 are available through the FamilySearch Catalog, making remote research possible for many users.
Orphans Court Records from 1839 to 1869 are also available, along with a comprehensive index covering 1839 to 1974. These records were created when the court handled matters involving estates, guardianships, and the welfare of orphaned children. Each case file can provide clues about family members who died, the assets they left behind, and who inherited them. Marriage records in Clinton County start with October 1885 and continue to the present. While marriage records do not document death directly, they establish family connections that help trace lineage.
The 1852 to 1854 period saw a short-lived attempt at statewide vital registration. Clinton County participated in this early effort. Some death entries from that window may survive. Check with the PA State Archives for any surviving records from that era. Birth records before 1906 were recorded by the Clerk of Orphans Court at the county courthouse. Those records may also contain incidental death information for family members mentioned in proceedings.
Note: Contact the Register and Recorders Office at Clinton County Courthouse for current fee information before requesting a genealogy search.
Ordering Clinton County Death Certificates
Ordering a death record from Clinton County depends on the year of death. For deaths from 1893 to 1905, contact the Clinton County Courthouse at 230 East Water Street, Lock Haven, PA 17745. The Register and Recorders Office handles these requests. Fees may apply for staff searches, and the office sets its own rate for genealogy searches. Always call or write ahead to confirm current fees and turnaround times before submitting a request.
For deaths from 1906 forward, the Pennsylvania Department of Health Division of Vital Records is the correct source. Certified copies cost $20 each. Orders can be placed online through VitalChek at mycertificates.health.pa.gov, by mail to PO Box 1528, New Castle, PA 16103, or by phone at 724-656-3100. You can also visit the New Castle walk-in office in person. That office is open Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 4 PM.
Researchers looking for free access to the death index without ordering a certified copy can use the PA State Archives online database. The free index covers 1906 to 1975 and includes name, county, year, and certificate number. This is a useful starting point before spending money on a certified copy. The index does not include full death certificate details but confirms whether a record exists for a given individual in Clinton County or elsewhere in Pennsylvania.
Genealogy researchers can also check the PA Health genealogy records page for guidance on ordering older records and understanding what information each type of record contains. That page explains which records are public, what ID is needed, and how long orders typically take to process.
Nearby Counties
Clinton County borders several other Pennsylvania counties. Ancestors may have lived or died in a neighboring county. Check these nearby county death indexes if your search in Clinton County does not yield results.