Procurement of Vital Records Pennsylvania

Certified Copy of Birth & Death Certificates

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Where: Order from this Website :  Pennsylvania Department of Health 

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Office in Charge: : State office has records since January 1906 (Prior to 1906 records can be accessed in the courthouse in the county where born/died)

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How do you order: There are three routes to applying for a Birth or Death Certificate: 

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• Online : Time Frame: 

Birth Certificate: Approx. 2 weeks;

Death Certificate: Approx. 3 Weeks

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• In-person: Time Frame:(fastest)

Birth Certificate:less than 2 weeks; 

Death Certificate less than 3 weeks

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Cost: $20 Certificate fee + $10 processing fee + Shipping (if UPS)

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**If you need a birth certificate quickly, make your request in person at one of our six Vital Records Branch Offices or online at mycertificates.health.pa.gov.  

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1. Online Orders: 

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You may order a birth certificate online (24 hours/day, 7 days/week) from Pennsylvania's only authorized vendor at mycertificates.health.pa.gov.  In addition to the standard birth certificate fee of $20, a $10 processing fee also applies.  Payment is by credit card.  Select First Class Mail® or UPS as your shipping option. Please be aware, when placing an order for a birth or a death certificate online, UPS delivery is currently unavailable.  You may select free first class mail delivery through the United States Postal Service or pick up at a Vital Records Office.  Please check back frequently for updates regarding online order, delivery options.

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Please note that the Department of Health processes requests for all orders.  Online service providers collect your order and submit it to our office for processing.  VitalChek is the only authorized vendor who collects orders on our behalf.  All other online service providers convert your orders to a paper application.  Therefore, expect a delay in service if you use an online service provider other than VitalChek..

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2. For walk-in services: 

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Please see our Public Office page for office locations  and hours of operation. HERE 

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3. For mail services: 

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You may complete an Application for Birth Certificate (PDF) and mail it to the address listed below.  All certificates are mailed using First Class Mail®.  If you require expedited shipping, please apply online and select "UPS" as your shipping option.  

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Division of Vital Records

Birth Certificate Processing Unit

PO Box 1528
New Castle, PA 16103

Requirements for ordering:

You must complete the following requirements to receive a death certificate.

• You must complete an Application for Death Certificate.or Application for Birth Certificate 
• You must show valid identification.
• You must sign your application.

Who can apply for a birth or death certificate? 

You must be an eligible applicant. Eligible applicants must be 18 years of age or older, and include the following:

• Spouse
• Ex-spouse.  An ex-spouse must provide documentation to establish direct interest.
• Parent or step-parent.  A step-parent must also submit a marriage certificate to support the relationship to the person named on the death certificate.
• Brother, sister, half-brother, half-sister
• Son or daughter
• Step-son or step-daughter (must submit the parent's marriage certificate to support the relationship)
• Grandparent or great-grandparent
• Grandchild or great-grandchild
• Power of Attorney
• Attorney or legal representative of the decedent's estate (must provide supporting documentation)
• Representative of the decedent's estate (must provide documentation to establish direct interest)
• Individual showing a direct financial interest to the decedent (must provide documentation to support direct interest)
• Government office that has assumed administration of an estate (must provide a letter signed by an official of the government office indicating the purpose for which the applicant is being retained and identifying the estate involved).
• Extended family members who indicate a direct relationship to the decedent (documentation may be required).

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