Erie County Genealogy Records
Erie County genealogy records are held by several offices in northwestern Pennsylvania. The Erie County Clerk of Records at 140 West Sixth Street in Erie maintains vital records, deeds, wills, and court filings. Researchers can search marriage records from 1885, probate records from 1823, and land records going back to the county's formation. Erie County sits on the southern shore of Lake Erie and draws researchers from across the country. Whether you are tracing a family name or verifying a birth date, this guide covers the key offices and collections that hold Erie County genealogy materials.
Erie County Quick Facts
Erie County Genealogy Records Overview
Erie County holds a broad range of genealogy records at the courthouse and through local historical institutions. Birth records from 1893 to 1905 are held at the Clerk of Records office. Records for the City of Erie from 1888 to 1905 are at the Hagen History Center. After 1906, birth and death certificates are held by the Pennsylvania Bureau of Vital Statistics. Death records for Erie County start in 1893 through the county level, while city death records go back to July 5, 1875. Marriage records run from 1885 to the present at the Clerk of Records, Room 123. Probate records start from 1823.
The Pennsylvania State Archives in Harrisburg holds microfilm copies of many Erie County records as well. These include land records, military records, and tax lists that can be useful when courthouse records are incomplete. Researchers working on Erie County family history should plan to check both the local courthouse and the state archives. The archives also hold naturalization records and Civil War veterans' card files that may name Erie County ancestors.
The Erie County Public Library maintains a Heritage Room on the second floor of the Blasco Memorial Library at 160 E Front St, Erie, PA 16507. This room holds obituary indexes from 1822 to the present drawn from Erie newspapers. Microfilm copies of U.S. Census records for Erie County from 1800 to 1930 are available there. City directories for Erie begin in 1853. The library subscribes to Ancestry.com Library Edition and HeritageQuest Online, which can be accessed in person.
The Erie Society for Genealogical Research connects researchers to local historical societies across the county. Several township-level organizations hold unique records not found at the courthouse, including cemetery readings, family genealogies, and church records.
Erie County Clerk of Records
The Erie County Clerk of Records oversees all record-keeping offices at the courthouse. Aubrea Hagerty-Haynes has served as Clerk of Records since 2021. The office is located at the Erie County Courthouse, 140 West Sixth Street, Erie, PA 16501. The main phone number is 814-451-6258. Offices under the Clerk of Records include the Clerk of Courts, Prothonotary, Recorder of Deeds, Register of Wills, Clerk of the Orphans' Court, and the Marriage Licenses Bureau.
The office transitioned to the Paperless Solution CourtPro case management system on March 3, 2025. Searching is free if you do it yourself. The office charges a $20 fee if staff conduct the search on your behalf. All records are open to the public except sealed adoption records. Visit courts.eriecountypa.gov for more information on accessing Erie County records online.
The Recorder of Deeds handles real estate documents including deeds, mortgages, satisfactions, powers of attorney, and leases. Between 100 and 400 documents are processed daily. All documents are indexed and scanned into the computer system. Copies are available to the public and to real estate professionals at the Erie County Recorder of Deeds office.
Note: The search fee of $20 applies only when courthouse staff perform the search. You can search records yourself at no charge.
Erie County Register of Wills Records
The Erie County Register of Wills probates wills, processes estates, and serves as the agent for the Commonwealth for filing and paying Inheritance Taxes. Estate records are available from 1823 to the present. All records are open to the public except adoption records, which are sealed by law. The phone number for this office is 814-451-6260. Opening estates is done by appointment only.
To open an estate in Erie County, you need a Petition for Probate and Grant of Letters, an Estate Information Sheet, a certified copy of the death certificate, and the original Last Will and Testament. These requirements apply to all probate filings in Erie County. Researchers can request copies of older wills and estate inventories for genealogical purposes. Estate files often list heirs, property descriptions, and financial details that help build out a family tree.
The Pennsylvania State Archives holds Erie County land records, warrant maps, and older court records that complement what is held at the local courthouse. These materials can fill gaps for early Erie County families and document property ownership back to the early 1800s.
Vital Records in Erie County
Birth and death certificates from 1906 onward are held by the Pennsylvania Department of Health under 35 P.S. §450.801. Researchers can order certified copies online through VitalChek, by mail to the Division of Vital Records, P.O. Box 1528, New Castle, PA 16103, or in person at the Erie vital records office. The fee is $20 per certified copy. Records from before 1906 must be requested from the Erie County Clerk of Records or the Hagen History Center.
Marriage records in Erie County date back to 1885 and are held at the Clerk of Records in Room 123. To apply for a current marriage license, both applicants must appear in person by appointment. Call 814-451-6347 to schedule. As of March 1, 2025, the fee is $65 total ($60 for the license plus $5 for a certified copy). Credit cards are accepted with a $2.00 processing fee. The license is valid for 60 days. There is a three-day waiting period after the application is complete. Certified copies of past marriage records are $5 each. More detail is at the Erie County Marriage Licenses page.
Pennsylvania's Act 127 of 2016 expanded access to older vital records for genealogical research. Details on what you can request and how are available through the Library of Congress guide to Pennsylvania vital records.
Hagen History Center Research Resources
The Hagen History Center, the home of the Erie County Historical Society, is located at 356 West 6th Street, Erie, PA 16501. The phone number is 814-454-1813. The archives hold early birth and death records for the City of Erie from 1888 to 1905 and for Erie County from 1893 to 1905. Museum collections span Erie County history from the earliest settlement to the present day. The research library is open to the public for genealogy work.
The center's holdings include photographs, manuscripts, local newspapers, and records from churches and organizations across Erie County. The Hagen History Center is a key stop for any serious Erie County genealogy project, especially for families who lived in the region before statewide vital records registration began in 1906. Educational programs and exhibits on local and regional history round out what the center offers.
Pennsylvania Archives for Erie County Research
The Pennsylvania State Archives at 1681 N. Sixth St. in Harrisburg holds materials that support Erie County genealogy research. The archives are open Tuesday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and on the second Saturday of each month. Phone: (717) 783-3281.
Through a partnership with Ancestry.com, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has digitized many family history records held at the state level. Pennsylvania residents can access these records free of charge through Ancestry. The ARIAS database provides online access to approximately 1.5 million military records, including the Civil War Veterans' Card File from 1861 to 1866 and Revolutionary War Military Abstract Card Files. These collections include men from Erie County who served in both conflicts.
State Archives record groups of value for Erie County include land warrant registers from 1733 to 1957, death certificates from 1906 to 1974, county marriage records from 1845 to 1963, and naturalization records. The State Library of Pennsylvania also maintains a large genealogy collection with census records, county histories, and city directories. The library subscribes to Ancestry.com and HeritageQuest, accessible on-site.
Under 65 P.S. §§ 67.101, most government records in Pennsylvania are considered public records. This includes many of the genealogy records held by Erie County offices. You may request copies without stating a reason.
Cities in Erie County
Erie is the county seat and largest city in Erie County. The city sits directly on the shore of Lake Erie in northwestern Pennsylvania. Most genealogy records for Erie County are filed at the courthouse in the city of Erie.
Nearby Counties
Erie County borders several other Pennsylvania counties to the east and south. Researchers tracing families who moved into or out of Erie County may also need to check records in neighboring counties.