Vital records in Pennsylvania — birth certificates, death certificates, marriage records, and divorce records — are handled at the state level by Pennsylvania Department of Health Division of Vital Records. Marriage licenses are issued locally by the Register of Wills / Orphans' Court Clerk.
What this page covers: Pennsylvania vital record ordering, eligibility requirements, and related databases. What it does not cover: Genealogy records older than the state vital records system (check the Genealogy Resources page for historical records).
Where to start: For certified copies of birth or death certificates, contact Pennsylvania Department of Health Division of Vital Records. For marriage licenses, contact the Register of Wills / Orphans' Court Clerk in the county where the ceremony will occur. For divorce records, contact the court that granted the decree.
Common mistake: Birth and death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees come from different offices. Do not assume one office handles all vital records.
Vital Records Databases
27 official Pennsylvania vital records sources.
Vital Records
Pennsylvania Counties
67 Pennsylvania counties are indexed on SearchSystems.net — top 28 counties shown below. Browse the full directory or click any county for local court, sheriff, recorder and assessor links.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a free statewide criminal search in Pennsylvania?▼
Pennsylvania's official criminal-history repository is operated by the state law-enforcement agency. Free public access to a complete criminal history is generally not available; an official background check typically requires fingerprints and a fee. County-level court records can be searched at no cost through individual court websites.
How do I search Pennsylvania court cases?▼
Pennsylvania's court system is headed by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. Trial-court business is handled by the Court of Common Pleas (60 judicial districts), Magisterial District Courts. Many Pennsylvania courts publish docket searches and case lookups online — see the Court Records tab above for direct links.
Where do I search Pennsylvania business entities?▼
The Pennsylvania Secretary of State (or equivalent agency) operates the official business-entity search. You can typically search corporations, LLCs, LPs, and other registered entities by name or registration number. See the Licenses or Business tab above.
What is the difference between Assessor and Recorder in Pennsylvania?▼
The Assessor determines property values for tax purposes. The Recorder (or Clerk-Recorder) records deeds, mortgages, liens, and other property documents. Some county offices combine these roles, others keep them separate. Check the specific county page for details.
How do I obtain a Pennsylvania birth or death certificate?▼
Pennsylvania vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce certificates) are issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Health (Bureau of Health Statistics & Registries) and, in many cases, by local county clerks. Fees and ID requirements are set by the issuing agency.
Are Pennsylvania property records free to search?▼
Most county-level property and recorded-document searches are free for basic information through the Assessor or Recorder website. Certified copies of deeds typically have a per-page fee. Direct links are in the Property Records tab above.
How do I check a Pennsylvania sex offender?▼
The Pennsylvania sex offender registry is maintained by the state law-enforcement agency under the Sex Offender Registration and Community Notification Act. The registry is searchable by name, ZIP code, or address.