Wayne County Death Records
Wayne County death records are accessible through both county and state sources in northeastern Pennsylvania. The county seat is Honesdale, which holds the distinction of being the birthplace of the American railroad. Wayne County was formed on March 21, 1798 from part of Northampton County. It was named for General Anthony Wayne, the Revolutionary War hero known as "Mad Anthony." State death indices from 1906 to 1975 are free to search online through the PA State Archives. Pre-1906 records are held at the county Register of Wills office in Honesdale.
Wayne County Quick Facts
Wayne County Death Records Overview
Wayne County is located in northeastern Pennsylvania along the border with New York state. The county seat, Honesdale, is the site where the Stourbridge Lion, the first locomotive to run on a commercial railroad in America, made its inaugural run in 1829. This historic event gives Honesdale its claim as the birthplace of the American railroad. Wayne County was formed on March 21, 1798 from part of Northampton County and was named in honor of General Anthony Wayne, the Pennsylvania-born hero of the Revolutionary War.
The official Wayne County government website provides access to county departments and services. Row offices include the Register of Wills, which maintains Orphans' Court records and early vital records. Pre-1906 death records are at the county courthouse in Honesdale. Formal death registration in Wayne County began in 1893. Death records from 1893 to 1905 are held at the county level. For deaths from 1906 to 1975, use the free PA State Archives death index online. Visit the PA State Archives death indices page to search Wayne County records.
For deaths after 1974, use the PA Department of Health vital records page to request a death certificate. The Division of Vital Records in New Castle handles all certified copy requests for deaths after 1974.
Note: Wayne County's formation from Northampton County in 1798 means that families with roots in the area before that year may have records in Northampton County's archives.
Wayne County History and Vital Records
Wayne County has a history that runs from the early settlement of northeastern Pennsylvania through the railroad era and into the modern period. The region was part of the Great Delaware Valley watershed and was settled by both American-born migrants and European immigrants throughout the nineteenth century. Honesdale grew around the Delaware and Hudson Canal, which connected the coal fields of Lackawanna County to the Hudson River in New York. The canal brought commerce and workers to the region, building up the county's population.
The Stourbridge Lion's 1829 test run in Honesdale marks a milestone in American industrial history. The locomotive was imported from England to test whether the local railroads could handle steam power. While the engine proved too heavy for the track in use at the time, the test opened the door to the railroad era that would transform Pennsylvania and the country. Honesdale celebrates this heritage as a point of civic pride, and local historical societies maintain records related to this era.
Records at the Wayne County Courthouse go back to the county's founding in 1798. Probate records, wills, and estate files from the nineteenth century can supplement formal death registration for families in the pre-1893 era. The Register of Wills maintains these records and they are open to the public. Church records from Wayne County's many historic congregations are also available through local historical societies and may include burial and death records going back to the early 1800s.
Note: Wayne County's canal and railroad history brought workers from many states and countries. Death records from the nineteenth century may include individuals with roots in New York, New England, Ireland, and Wales.
State Death Records for Wayne County
Pennsylvania began requiring statewide death registration in 1906. All Wayne County deaths from that year forward required a certified state certificate. The PA State Archives death index covers Wayne County from 1906 to 1975 and is free to search online. Two indexing methods apply. Deaths from 1920 to 1924 and from 1930 to 1951 use the Russell Soundex method. All other years use alphabetical surname order.
Once you find the State File Number in the index, order the certificate from the right source. The PA State Archives holds original certificates from 1906 to 1974. Digital images from 1906 to 1972 are on Ancestry.com. Pennsylvania residents can access Ancestry.com free at public libraries statewide. For deaths from 1975 onward, use the PA Division of Vital Records. Certified copies cost $20 each. Mail requests to PO Box 1528, New Castle, PA 16103. Phone: 724-656-3100 or 844-228-3516. Online orders go through VitalChek at mycertificates.health.pa.gov.
Walk-in service runs Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at several state offices. The Scranton office is the closest walk-in location for Wayne County residents. Death certificates become public records 50 years after the date of death under Pennsylvania law. For deaths within the past 50 years, only immediate family members and legal representatives can request a certified copy.
Note: The Scranton walk-in office for the PA Division of Vital Records is the most convenient location for Wayne County residents seeking same-day service for death certificate requests.
Nearby Pennsylvania Counties
Wayne County borders several counties in northeastern Pennsylvania. Check neighboring county records if your ancestor lived near a county line.