Washington County Death Records

Washington County death records go back to 1847, which is earlier than most New York counties. The county seat is Fort Edward. Washington County was named for President George Washington and created in 1772 from Albany County. The county clerk and archives hold death records, birth records, and marriage records alongside land and court records. Town clerks throughout the county also maintain vital records for their own municipalities. If you need a death certificate from Washington County, you have several options for where to look.

Washington County Death Records at the Clerk

The Washington County Clerk is at the Municipal Center, Building A, 383 Broadway, Fort Edward, NY 12828. Call (518) 746-2170. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:15 PM. The clerk holds a wide range of records including land records from 1762, court records from 1773, birth records from 1847, death records from 1847, marriage records from 1881, probate records, naturalization records, and military pensions.

Washington County is notable for having death records that go back to 1847. Most counties in New York do not have records this old through their clerk's office. The state census records are also extensive: 1825, 1835, 1855, 1865, 1875, 1892, 1905, 1915, and 1925 are all on file. The 1845 census is the only one that is lost.

The Washington County Archives are in the basement of the same building at 383 Broadway. Call (518) 746-2136 for the archives directly. The clerk has oversight of the archives, the county historian's office, and the local DMV office. Copy fees go up to a maximum of $30 per record.

Here is a look at the Washington County Clerk's online resources for death records research.

The clerk's website connects you to record search tools and information about the archives collection in Washington County.

Washington County Death Records at Town Clerks

Town clerks in Washington County also maintain death records for deaths that happened in their towns. The standard fee is $10 per certified copy of a death certificate. Birth and marriage certificates are $10 each. Marriage licenses cost $40. You need a valid photo ID to request records.

The same eligibility rules apply as elsewhere in New York. The spouse, parent, child, or sibling of the deceased can get a copy. Others must show proof of a lawful right, a medical need, or a court order. For genealogy, death records become available after 50 years.

Washington County Surrogate's Court

The Washington County Surrogate's Court is at 383 Broadway, Fort Edward, NY 12828. Call (518) 746-2515. Probate records go back to 1786, which is over 230 years of records. The court handles wills, estate administration, letters testamentary, guardianships, and estate files.

Probate records here can tell you the date someone died, who their family members were, and where everyone lived at the time. These records are valuable if you cannot find a death certificate or if you need more details about the family. The WebSurrogate system lets you search Washington County court filings online for free.

State Death Records for Washington County

The New York State Department of Health has Washington County death records from 1880 forward. Mail orders cost $30. Online orders are $45 plus a vendor fee. The state office takes at least eight months to process requests. The local town clerk or county archives will be faster in most cases.

For genealogy, the state offers uncertified copies of records over 50 years old for $22. The New York State Archives has death record indexes from 1880 to 1943 on microfiche that you can search for free in Albany.

Washington County Historical Resources

The Washington County Historical Society is at 167 Broadway, Fort Edward, NY 12828. Call (518) 747-9108 or email wchs@wchs-ny.org. The county historian is at the Municipal Center, Building A, Records Room, 383 Broadway. Call (518) 746-2178 or email wchist@co.washington.ny.us.

Washington County is part of the Southern Adirondack Library System. Several local libraries have notable collections. The Bancroft Public Library has digitized transcriptions of cemetery records. The Easton Library holds records of the Quakers. The Cambridge Public Library has the Washington County Post newspaper from 1849 to the present. These can all be helpful for finding obituaries and other death-related information.

The Association of Public Historians of New York State keeps a directory of municipal historians in Washington County. Local historians can give you research advice and point you toward records you might not find on your own.

Free Online Washington County Death Records

The New York State Death Index covers 1880 to 1956 for free. This is a great way to find which town a death was filed in so you know where to send your request. FamilySearch has free collections with Washington County data, including the New York State Death Index with images, Deaths and Burials (1795-1952), and Church and Civil Deaths (1824-1962).

Since Washington County has death records going back to 1847, you may find information here that is not in the statewide index. Contact the county archives for records from that early period. For pre-1847 deaths, check church records, cemetery inscriptions, and family Bible entries.

Ancestry.com has paid collections for Washington County, including the New York Death Index (1880-1956), wills and probate records (1659-1999), and the Social Security Death Index. The Bancroft Public Library's digitized cemetery transcriptions are another free tool. If you are not sure which town the death happened in, start with the state death index. That will tell you where the death was filed, so you can contact the right clerk or the county archives for a full copy of the record.

Nearby Counties

If you need to check death records in areas near Washington County, try these neighbors.