Montgomery County Genealogy Archive Access
Montgomery County genealogy records span more than two centuries, with land and probate documents dating to 1784 when the county was formed from Philadelphia County. Researchers searching for Montgomery County family history will find birth, death, and marriage records, will books, deed indexes, naturalization documents, and court files at the Norristown courthouse and county archives. The Historical Society of Montgomery County and the Lower Merion Historical Society add local depth to any research effort.
Montgomery County Quick Facts
Montgomery County Recorder of Deeds and Land Records
The Montgomery County Recorder of Deeds is at the Montgomery County Courthouse, 2 E Airy St, Norristown, PA 19404. Phone: 610-278-3289. Land records in Montgomery County date from 1784. The online index is free to search, though fees apply for document images. eRecording is available. Document images are accessible online through the county portal, and a Record Alert service notifies you of new activity on monitored properties.
Database search options include name search, book and page lookup, date range filtering, document type filtering, and parcel number search. Marriage license search is available for records after 1989. Birth and death records from 1893 to 1915 are accessible through this office as well. Montgomery County was formed from Philadelphia County, so records for families in the area before 1784 are held in Philadelphia. The online portal covers the majority of the recorded history for this active southeastern Pennsylvania county.
The Pennsylvania State Archives supplements local Montgomery County records with colonial-era land warrant applications, military service records, and statewide document collections that predate the county's founding.
Montgomery County Archives and Records Center
The Montgomery County Archives and Records Center is located at 86 Eagleville Road, Eagleville, PA 19403. Walk-ins are welcome. This office provides access to birth and death records prior to 1906, microfilm files, Prothonotary Civil Case Viewer access, marriage license search for records after 1989, Register of Wills Public Access System records, and the Recorder of Deeds Public Search for view-only access.
Delayed birth certificates from 1841 to 1966 are held here. Birth, marriage, and death records from 1852 to 1855 are available. Marriage records from 1885 to the present and birth and death records from 1893 to 1915 round out the vital records collection. Divorce records prior to 1970 are accessible through this office; for more recent divorces, contact the Prothonotary directly. A Veterans' Grave Register is also maintained at the archives.
Note: The Archives does not certify documents. Certified copies must be obtained directly from the issuing county department, such as the Register of Wills or the Department of Health.
Montgomery County Wills and Probate Records
The Montgomery County Register of Wills maintains probate records from 1784 forward. Will books, estate inventories, estate administration files, and Orphans' Court dockets are all accessible. Marriage licenses from 1885 to the present are held here as well. The Register of Wills Public Access System provides online search capabilities for more recent records.
Estate files are a goldmine for genealogy in Montgomery County. Inventories list personal property, which can confirm a person's trade or occupation. Administration bonds name next of kin. Guardianship records document minor children and their family relationships. Under the Pennsylvania Orphans' Court system, all estate and guardianship matters in Montgomery County are handled through the Court of Common Pleas in Norristown.
For birth and death records after 1906, contact the Pennsylvania Division of Vital Records. Under 35 P.S. §450.801, certified copies are available to qualified genealogical applicants.
Historical Society of Montgomery County
The Historical Society of Montgomery County in Norristown is a strong resource for local family research. The Society holds family Bible records, church records, cemetery records, genealogical research materials, and the Biographical Annals of Montgomery County, a major published reference for the area. Historical publications and research assistance round out the collection.
The Lower Merion Historical Society maintains collections focused on the western townships of Montgomery County, including Lower Merion Township. These records are especially useful for families with roots in that part of the county. Census records, local photographs, and community histories are among the materials held there.
Online Montgomery County Genealogy Research
Several strong online resources serve Montgomery County genealogy researchers. The county's online Recorder of Deeds portal provides free index access with paid images. FamilySearch.org holds census records, church registers, and some early vital records for Montgomery County. Ancestry.com provides federal census access and newspaper archives covering the Norristown area. The State Library of Pennsylvania maintains research guides for Montgomery County genealogy.
Under 65 P.S. §§ 67.101, Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law makes most Montgomery County records publicly accessible. The county's long history as a densely settled suburban area means that newspaper obituaries, church records, and community directories are also plentiful for this region. The Montgomery County government portal links to all county departments and record-access tools.
Cities in Montgomery County
Montgomery County includes many communities with long histories. Lower Merion is one of the best-known townships in the county, with records and resources of its own for genealogical research.
Nearby Counties
Montgomery County borders Philadelphia and several other southeastern Pennsylvania counties. Family records often cross these borders, so checking adjacent counties is common practice for Montgomery County genealogy.