Delaware County Death Records
Delaware County death records are available for two distinct periods: 1852 to 1854 and 1893 to 1906. The Delaware County Archives houses most records created by county administrative offices from 1789 onward, and death records from both periods are part of that collection. The county is named for the Delaware River and sits at the southeastern tip of Pennsylvania, bordering Philadelphia. Death records from 1906 forward are held by the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Researchers should note that death records for the City of Chester are missing from the county collection.
Delaware County Quick Facts
Delaware County Archives and Death Records
The Delaware County Archives houses most records created by administrative offices of Delaware County from 1789 to 1950. This includes the two death record periods available at the county level. The 1852 to 1854 records come from an early statewide attempt at vital registration. The 1893 to 1906 records represent the more systematic county-level registration that preceded the state takeover in 1906.
Each death record from the 1893 to 1906 period includes specific information about the deceased. Records show the name, race, sex, age, and marital status. They also note the place of birth, occupation, date of death, and place of death. Duration of the last illness is recorded, along with the place and date of interment. If the deceased was a minor, the names of the parents are listed in the record. This level of detail makes these records especially valuable for family history research in Delaware County.
One important limitation affects Chester-area research: death records for the City of Chester are missing from the Delaware County collection. Researchers tracing ancestors who lived and died in Chester should note this gap and consider other sources such as church records, cemetery records, and newspaper obituaries to fill in where the official county records are absent.
Note: The 1893 to 1906 death records for Delaware County were held by the Clerk of Orphans Court at the courthouse in Media and later transferred to the Archives.
Accessing Delaware County Death Index Records
For birth and death records prior to 1906, contact the Delaware County Archives. The archives preserves all records on microfilm, which protects the originals and makes copies available. The Recorder of Deeds processes records relating to real property dating back to 1789. Those property records often contain useful information for death research, as land transfers frequently follow a death. The Register of Wills is responsible for probate matters and estate records in Delaware County.
The County Clerk maintains birth and death records from 1893 to 1906, along with marriage records from 1885. These records sit alongside the broader collection at the county courthouse in Media. Researchers can contact the archives or the appropriate county office depending on what time period and record type they need. The Archives handles most pre-1950 requests, while more recent records remain with the originating offices.
The PA State Archives Death Indices cover 1906 to 1975 and are searchable for free online. These indices provide name, county, year of death, and certificate number. Once you locate an entry in the index, you can order the full certificate from the Division of Vital Records. Digital copies of Pennsylvania death certificates from 1906 to 1972 are on Ancestry.com and free for Pennsylvania residents to view.
Certified copies of death certificates from 1906 onward are available from the PA Division of Vital Records for $20 each. Orders can be placed online through mycertificates.health.pa.gov via VitalChek, by mail to PO Box 1528, New Castle, PA 16103, or by phone at 724-656-3100 or 844-228-3516. Walk-in service is available Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 4 PM in Philadelphia, which is the closest walk-in office to Delaware County. Harrisburg and other locations are also available.
Delaware County Genealogy Death Research Tips
Delaware County is one of the oldest counties in Pennsylvania, and its records reflect that history. The county archives holds a wide range of document types that are useful for genealogy research beyond just death records. Property records, tax lists, court records, and estate files all contribute to a more complete picture of an ancestor's life and death in Delaware County.
The 1852 to 1854 death records represent Pennsylvania's first real attempt at statewide vital registration. Coverage from that period is incomplete, but surviving records from Delaware County can provide valuable information for researchers working on mid-19th century families. Forty-nine of Pennsylvania's 64 counties participated in the 1852 to 1854 registration effort, and Delaware County was among them. These early records were collected by the Register of Wills at the time.
The Soundex phonetic indexing system applies to Pennsylvania death records for two periods: 1920 to 1924 and 1930 to 1951. This system groups names that sound similar, regardless of spelling differences. It is useful when an ancestor's surname was spelled in multiple ways across different documents. Death certificates are public records 50 years after the date of death, so all certificates through 1975 are now available to the public. For more recent deaths, access may be limited to family members or legal representatives of the deceased.
Cities in Delaware County
Delaware County includes several municipalities. Upper Darby is one of the most populous communities in the county. Death records for residents of these communities fall within the Delaware County death index for the applicable periods.
Nearby Counties
Delaware County borders Philadelphia to the east, Montgomery to the north, and Chester to the west. If your ancestor lived near a county boundary, searching in neighboring counties may help complete your research.