Bucks County Ancestry Records
Bucks County genealogy records are among the oldest in Pennsylvania, with documents dating back to 1684. One of the three original counties created by William Penn in 1682, Bucks County holds an unbroken record collection that spans more than three centuries. The Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' Court in Doylestown maintains original documents on-site from 1684 to 1936, along with a full set of microfilm records. Researchers tracing Pennsylvania's earliest families will find Bucks County to be one of the most resource-rich counties in the state.
Bucks County Genealogy Quick Facts
Bucks County Genealogy Records Overview
Bucks County is one of three original Pennsylvania counties established by William Penn in 1682. Records at the courthouse begin in 1684, making the Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' Court one of the oldest continuously operating government offices in the United States. Original documents from 1684 to 1936 are kept on-site in the Archive Research Center on the third floor of the Bucks County Courthouse. A complete set of microfilm records is also available for research.
The Bucks County Register of Wills at buckscounty.gov handles genealogical search requests by name. An index search covering 1684 to 1950 costs $25 per name. This is a non-refundable fee even if no record is found. Marriage licenses from 1885 to the present are on file. Birth and death records from 1893 to 1906 are held locally. Certified copies of birth and death records from that period cost $25 each. A certified marriage record also costs $25. Staff copies cost $1 per page, while public-made copies cost $0.25 per page.
The Archive Research Center is a key resource for any Bucks County ancestry search. The center holds original records not available online and provides access to the full microfilm collection. The Bucks County Genealogical Society is also based at the courthouse and provides research assistance, workshops, and access to databases including Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.
Note: Birth and death records from 1907 to the present are only available from the Pennsylvania Department of Health Vital Records. The local courthouse does not hold those more recent documents.
Bucks County Register of Wills and Recorder
The Bucks County Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' Court is located at the Bucks County Courthouse, 55 E Court Street, Doylestown, PA 18901. The phone number is (215) 348-6265. This office is the primary source for Bucks County genealogy records going back to 1684. It also handles estate filings and probate matters for current residents.
The Recorder of Deeds is a separate office also at the Bucks County Courthouse. It maintains land and property records from 1684, including deeds and mortgages. The phone number for the Recorder of Deeds is (215) 348-6209. Online deed searching is available through the county website at buckscounty.gov. Deed and mortgage copies can also be requested by calling the office or sending a written request. The charge is $1 per page for copies.
A Lower Bucks County Government Service Center is located at 7321 New Falls Road, Levittown, PA 19055, for residents of the southern part of the county. Both offices welcome walk-in visits during regular business hours.
| Register of Wills |
Bucks County Courthouse 55 E Court Street Doylestown, PA 18901 Phone: (215) 348-6265 |
|---|---|
| Recorder of Deeds |
Bucks County Courthouse 55 E Court Street Doylestown, PA 18901 Phone: (215) 348-6209 |
| South County Service Center | 7321 New Falls Road, Levittown, PA 19055 |
| Website | buckscounty.gov |
Bucks County Genealogical Society
The Bucks County Genealogical Society is one of the most active genealogical organizations in southeastern Pennsylvania. The Archive Research Center it occupies on the third floor of the Bucks County Courthouse gives members and visitors direct access to the county's historical record collections. The society holds church records, cemetery records, and family histories. Special collections include Pennsylvania German records, surname indexes, and published family histories.
Monthly meetings feature genealogical speakers and educational programs. Workshops and seminars teach research methods for beginners and advanced researchers alike. The society provides in-library access to Ancestry.com and FamilySearch, making it a strong hub for digital and paper-based research. Membership opens access to all society resources. Research assistance is available from trained volunteers who are familiar with Bucks County collections.
The USGenWeb Archives also hold Bucks County records contributed by researchers over many years. Cemetery transcriptions, census records, military records, and will abstracts are available free online at the USGenWeb site. These complement the materials at the courthouse and the society's own collections.
Birth, Death, and Marriage Records in Bucks County
Bucks County birth and death records from 1893 to 1906 are held at the Register of Wills. Certified copies cost $25 each. Marriage licenses from 1885 to the present are also maintained at the Register of Wills. A certified marriage application record costs $25. A plain copy costs $1 per record. Marriage license applications from 1885 to the present are indexed and searchable by name at the courthouse.
Under 35 P.S. Section 450.801, Pennsylvania began statewide vital records registration in 1906. Records from 1907 to the present are held by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Division of Vital Records. Birth certificates are not public records until 105 years after the birth. Death certificates and marriage records from 1906 onward can be requested by qualifying family members. Certified copies cost $20 each from the state office.
For events before 1893, Bucks County researchers rely on church records. The county's Quaker and German Reformed congregations kept detailed records of births, marriages, and deaths going back to the late 1600s. The Bucks County Genealogical Society and the Archive Research Center hold transcriptions and copies of many of these early church records.
Note: The genealogical name search fee at the Bucks County Register of Wills covers the index search for 1684 to 1950. The fee is charged whether or not a record is found.
Land and Probate Records in Bucks County
Bucks County land records are among the oldest in Pennsylvania. The Recorder of Deeds has maintained property records since 1684. Deeds and mortgages are searchable online through the county's property records portal. The online system allows name searches and book and page searches. In-person and mail requests for copies are also available at $1 per page.
Probate records at the Bucks County Register of Wills begin in 1684 as well. Wills, estate inventories, letters of administration, and orphans' court records are held here. These records are public under 65 P.S. Section 67.101 and can be viewed at the Archive Research Center. Researchers should use the name index to identify which record books hold the documents they need. Original documents from 1684 to 1936 are available for in-person review. Older documents may require special handling arrangements.
Pennsylvania Archives and Bucks County Research
The Pennsylvania State Archives in Harrisburg holds statewide collections that complement Bucks County local records. These include Revolutionary War records, naturalization records, and early land warrant applications. Many Bucks County families have ancestors who appear in the state's military and land records. The Archives is open to the public and free to visit. Online finding aids make it easy to plan a research visit.
FamilySearch and Ancestry.com both have strong Bucks County collections. Census images, vital records indexes, and probate abstracts are available through both platforms. The Ancestry.com partnership with the Pennsylvania State Archives gives researchers access to certain state-level collections digitally. The State Library of Pennsylvania also maintains guides specifically for southeastern Pennsylvania research, including Bucks County.
Penn's original three counties, including Bucks, have the longest documented genealogical record in Pennsylvania. Researchers who trace families to the colonial era will find that Bucks County's archive is a primary source. The combination of courthouse records, the Genealogical Society's collections, and online platforms makes Bucks County one of the strongest genealogy counties in the state.
Cities in Bucks County
Bucks County includes several communities with genealogy resources. Two cities from our directory are located in Bucks County.
Bucks County also includes Doylestown, Bristol, Quakertown, and other communities. Visit the cities directory for more Pennsylvania genealogy pages.
Nearby Counties
Bucks County borders several counties in southeastern Pennsylvania. Ancestors near county lines may have records in more than one county. Check these offices when your research crosses borders.