Monroe County Death Records
Monroe County death records are held at the county Orphans' Court for deaths from 1893 to 1905. Monroe County was formed in 1836 from Northampton and Pike counties. The county seat is Stroudsburg. Vital records from 1893 to 1905 remain at the county courthouse and are managed through the Orphans' Court office. Deaths from 1906 and later fall under the Pennsylvania Division of Vital Records system. State death indices from 1906 to 1975 are free to search online through the PA State Archives.
Monroe County Quick Facts
Monroe County Death Records Overview
Early deaths in Monroe County from 1893 to 1905 are located at the County Orphans' Court in Stroudsburg. The Orphans' Court served as the official keeper of vital records during this period, before the Pennsylvania statewide death registration system began in 1906. These early records are a key resource for genealogists researching Monroe County families in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
Vital records in Monroe County are managed through the County Orphans' Court office. Marriage records in Monroe County begin in 1885 and are also held at the courthouse. Divorce records are handled through the Prothonotary office. Together, these offices hold most of the county's historical vital records. For deaths from 1906 onward, the Pennsylvania Division of Vital Records in New Castle handles all requests. The PA State Archives holds microfilm copies of death certificates from 1906 to 1974, and digital images from 1906 to 1972 are on Ancestry.com.
The PA State Archives provides free online death indices covering 1906 to 1975. These records include Monroe County deaths throughout that period. Use the PA State Archives death indices page to search by name and get the State File Number you need to order a certified copy.
Note: Early Monroe County deaths from 1893 to 1905 are at the County Orphans' Court in Stroudsburg, not at the state level.
Monroe County Formation and History
Monroe County was formed in 1836. It was carved from parts of Northampton County to the south and Pike County to the north. The county seat, Stroudsburg, sits near the Delaware Water Gap and has served as the regional center since the county was founded. The name honors President James Monroe, who served from 1817 to 1825.
The region grew steadily throughout the nineteenth century. It later became a popular resort and vacation destination, particularly for residents of New York and New Jersey. This population growth in the twentieth century made Monroe County one of the faster-growing counties in Pennsylvania. Many families moved to the area in the mid-to-late 1900s, which affects how death records are distributed across decades. Researchers working on Monroe County families from before 1906 should expect to work primarily with county-level records at the Stroudsburg courthouse.
Probate records at the Monroe County Courthouse can supplement death research. Estate records often contain death dates, names of survivors, and details about property. These records can fill gaps when formal death certificates are unavailable or incomplete. The Orphans' Court in Monroe County also handled adoptions, guardianships, and other civil matters that may appear in a family's history alongside death records.
Note: Monroe County's formation from Northampton and Pike counties means some early settlers may have records in those parent counties before 1836.
How to Access Monroe County Death Records
For deaths from 1893 to 1905, contact the Monroe County Courthouse in Stroudsburg. The Orphans' Court office is the right department. Have the name of the deceased and the approximate year ready. Staff can search the early death records and provide copies. Written mail requests are also accepted. Include all known details about the deceased to help staff locate the right entry.
For deaths from 1906 onward, the Pennsylvania Division of Vital Records is the source. Certified copies cost $20 each. You can mail a request to PO Box 1528, New Castle, PA 16103. Phone contact is available at 724-656-3100 or 844-228-3516. Online orders go through VitalChek at mycertificates.health.pa.gov. Walk-in service is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Harrisburg, New Castle, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Scranton, and Erie. Scranton is the closest walk-in office to Monroe County.
The free online index at the PA State Archives is the best starting point for post-1906 research. Visit the PA State Archives death indices page to search by name. For deaths after 1974, visit the PA Department of Health vital records page to request a certificate.
PA Death Index for Monroe County
The Pennsylvania death index covers Monroe County from 1906 to 1975. Two indexing methods are used. Deaths from 1920 to 1924 and from 1930 to 1951 use the Russell Soundex method. Soundex encodes surnames based on sound rather than spelling. This system helps researchers find names with common spelling variations. All other years in the index use standard alphabetical order by surname.
Once you locate a name in the index, note the State File Number. This number is required when you order a certified copy of the death certificate from either the State Archives or the Division of Vital Records. The online index is free to search. It provides the county, year of death, and the file number. This information is enough to confirm whether a record exists before you place a paid order.
Monroe County death research often involves checking records from neighboring counties as well. Pike County to the north, Northampton County to the south, Carbon County to the west, Wayne County to the northeast, and Lackawanna County further north all have their own death registers and state index entries. If your ancestor lived near a county border, checking neighboring counties can reveal additional records.
Note: The Soundex indexing method applies only to 1920-1924 and 1930-1951. All other Monroe County death index years use alphabetical surname order.
Nearby Pennsylvania Counties
Monroe County borders several counties in northeastern Pennsylvania. Each county holds its own death records. If your ancestor lived near a county line, check the neighboring county records as well.