Find Lehigh County Family Records
Lehigh County genealogy research draws on records from one of the most historically significant counties in Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley. The county was formed from part of Northampton County on March 6, 1812, and records begin with that founding year. Researchers searching Lehigh County family lines will find wills, deeds, marriage licenses, and vital records at the county courthouse in Allentown. The Lehigh County Recorder of Deeds and the Orphans' Court handle the core genealogical record sets. The Scott Andrew Trexler II Research Library at the Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum provides one of the most comprehensive local history archives in the region.
Lehigh County Quick Facts
Lehigh County Genealogy Records
The Lehigh County Courthouse at 455 West Hamilton Street, Allentown, PA 18101 houses the primary offices for genealogical research. The Orphans' Court maintains marriage licenses from 1885 to the present, birth records from 1895 to 1905, death records from 1893 to 1904, guardianship records, and adoption records (which are generally sealed). The Orphans' Court can be reached at 610-782-3220. Office hours run Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
The Recorder of Deeds office is in Room 122 of the courthouse and handles land records. Online records are available through the Landex Remote system from 1984 to the present. Records from 1812 to 1984 must be searched in person at the office. The Recorder of Deeds phone is 610-782-3162. A Record Alert program allows property owners to receive free notifications of any filings against their property. The Landex Webstore provides document downloads for a fee. Under 65 P.S. §§ 67.101, most county records are public and accessible upon request.
Before Lehigh County was formed in 1812, this region was part of Northampton County. Researchers tracing Lehigh Valley lines into the 18th century must search Northampton County records, which go back to 1752 when that county was formed. Northampton County holds some of the earliest records in the Pennsylvania Lehigh Valley region.
The Pennsylvania State Archives in Harrisburg holds microfilm copies of many Lehigh County records and provides online access to over 1.5 million military records through the ARIAS database.
Lehigh County Historical Society Library
The Lehigh County Historical Society operates the Scott Andrew Trexler II Research Library at the Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum, 432 W Walnut St, Allentown, PA 18102. Phone: 610-435-1074. Gallery hours run Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with Sunday hours from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM. The Research Library is open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Library capacity is limited and scheduled visits are recommended. Call the main number between 9:30 AM and 5:00 PM to schedule a visit.
The research library holds an outstanding collection for Lehigh County genealogy. Cemetery records, land and military records, and European church records for Germanic families are among the strengths. Compiled family histories, maps, and collections of books, newspapers, and photographs round out the archive. The Orphans' Court records with index from 1815 to 1915 are held here. Tax records covering 1813 to 1817, 1835, and the late 1840s through 1970s are available. Prison records from 1869 to 1912 and several shorter periods provide an additional genealogical source. Wills and estate records from 1812 to 1916 on indexed microfilm and marriage records from 1885 to 1961 on indexed microfilm make this collection especially useful for Lehigh County family researchers.
Newspaper extracts covering 1812 to 1873 include marriages and obituaries from five local and German-language newspapers. These newspaper abstracts are invaluable for the Pennsylvania German population of Lehigh County, many of whose ancestors came from German-speaking regions of Europe in the 18th and 19th centuries. A professional research service is available by mail for those who cannot visit in person.
Note: The Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum site at lvhistory.org is one of Pennsylvania's most significant archives, and scheduled visits to the Research Library are strongly recommended.
Vital Records in Lehigh County
Lehigh County holds birth records from 1895 to 1905 and death records from 1893 to 1904 at the Orphans' Court. After January 1, 1906, the Pennsylvania Department of Health Division of Vital Records holds all statewide birth and death records. Certified copies cost $20 each, and multi-year searches for genealogical purposes cost $25. The Division of Vital Records main office is in New Castle, PA. Walk-in service is also available in Scranton and Philadelphia.
Under 35 P.S. §450.801, genealogical researchers may obtain vital records for deceased individuals with relaxed requirements. The application must indicate genealogical research as the intended use, and proof of the subject's death must be provided when requesting a birth certificate. Marriage licenses in Lehigh County start from 1885. For marriages before that date, church registers are the primary source. The Lehigh County Historical Society holds marriage records on indexed microfilm from 1885 to 1961, making it one of the most useful local marriage record collections in the region.
Lehigh County Deed and Land Records
Deed records in Lehigh County begin from 1812 when the county was formed. The Recorder of Deeds office holds all land transfer records. Online searches are available through the Landex Remote system for records from 1984 to the present. For records from 1812 to 1984, visits to the courthouse at Room 122 are necessary. In-person copies cost $0.25 per page, and mail or email copies are $1 per page. Certified copies carry an additional $1.50 charge per document. Map copies cost $5 per sheet.
The Landex Webstore allows document downloads after paying fees. eRecording is available through CSC, ePN, and Simplifile for professional users. A Public Review area on the first floor of the courthouse allows direct access to record books. Deeds can help trace property ownership across generations, and they often document family relationships in transfer documents. For land records before 1812 in the Lehigh Valley area, researchers must check Northampton County, whose records go back to its formation in 1752. The Pennsylvania State Archives holds land warrant registers from 1733 to 1957 organized by county. Under 37 Pa.C.S. § 305.3, these older public records remain accessible.
Library Resources for Lehigh County
The Bethlehem Area Public Library provides genealogy resources relevant to Lehigh County and the broader Lehigh Valley. Their research services include HeritageQuest access free with a library card, Ancestry Library Edition available in-library, FamilySearch.org access, and connection to the Northampton County Historical and Genealogical Society. The Morning Call Obituary Index and Newspapers.com Library Edition are available for searching local historical newspapers. The library also offers access to PA State Archives materials, Colonial Records, and early Northampton County will abstracts that cover the period before Lehigh County's formation.
The State Library of Pennsylvania subscribes to Ancestry.com, HeritageQuest, and Fold3 for on-site use by researchers in Harrisburg. Pennsylvania residents can also access Ancestry.com records free through many public libraries participating in the state partnership. Act 127 of 2016 governs adoption record access in Pennsylvania. The Library of Congress guide to Pennsylvania local history and vital records explains the full landscape of available genealogical materials statewide. FamilySearch.org holds digitized Lehigh County marriage dockets and vital records, making online-only research increasingly feasible for this county.
Cities in Lehigh County
Allentown is the county seat of Lehigh County and is also the largest city in the Lehigh Valley. Bethlehem, though primarily a Northampton County city, shares the Lehigh Valley region. Allentown is home to the county courthouse and the Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum. City directories for Allentown going back to the 19th century are held at the Lehigh County Historical Society and provide useful supplements to courthouse records.
Nearby Counties
Lehigh County is surrounded by Northampton County to the east, Bucks and Montgomery Counties to the south and southeast, Berks County to the west, and Carbon County to the north. Research in any of these counties may be necessary to fully trace Lehigh County family lines, especially for ancestors who moved frequently or lived near county borders.