Pennsylvania Vital Records Search

* Conducting a search on Recordsfinder.com is subject to our Terms of Service and Privacy Notice. You acknowledge that Recordsfinder.com is not a consumer reporting agency under the FCRA and the information provided cannot be used for any unlawful purpose.
  1. Home
  2. Vital Records
  3. Pennsylvania

Table of Contents

What are Pennsylvania Vital Records?

In Pennsylvania, vital records include birth, death, and fetal death records. The Department of Health Bureau of Health Statistics & Registries Division of Vital Records is the agency for the state that preserves, maintains, and issues copies of vital records. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has been keeping vital records since 1906. Pennsylvania has partnered with VitalChek so you can order copies online or by phone easily. They also allow you to order in person at their office or by mail. Many vital records in Pennsylvania are not public records, and therefore only certain people may get a copy. They offer fee waivers for members of the armed forces.

Pennsylvania Birth Records

Pennsylvania defines a birth certificate as "an official legal document that summarizes a person's birth record." The state of Pennsylvania has been keeping birth records since 1906. Birth records are private, and only certain people can get a copy of yours. Pennsylvania prints their birth certificates on special security paper with a raised seal to protect against identity theft. They are most often requested when applying for a passport, employment, driver's license, social security card, and school enrollment. The Department of Health Bureau of Health Statistics & Registries Division of Vital Recordsallows residents to get copies of their birth certificate through the mail, in person, and also by phone and online using VitalChek.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pennsylvania Birth Records

How do I find birth records in Pennsylvania?

You must contact the The Department of Health Bureau of Health Statistics & Registries Division of Vital Records. They are the custodian of all birth records for the state.

How do I get a certified copy of my birth certificate in Pennsylvania?

You can download the application from the Department of Health Bureau of Health Statistics & Registries Division of Vital Records' website, bring it to their offices, mail it in, or order copies through VitalChek.

How much does it cost to get a copy of a birth certificate in Pennsylvania?

The cost for a Pennsylvania birth certificate is $20 each. If you use the VitalChek service, you must pay their $10 processing fee as well.

Who can request birth records?

Birth records are private, and therefore only the following list of people can request records:

  1. "Person named on the birth certificate.
  2. Spouse.
  3. Parent or stepparent. A stepparent must also submit a marriage certificate to support the relationship to the person named on the birth certificate.
  4. Brother, sister, half-brother, half-sister.
  5. Son or daughter.
  6. Stepson or step-daughter (must submit the parent's marriage certificate to support the relationship).
  7. Grandparent or great-grandparent.
  8. Grandchild or great-grandchild.
  9. Power of Attorney.
  10. Attorney or legal representative of the person named on the birth certificate (must provide supporting documentation).
  11. If the person listed on the birth certificate is deceased, a family member who is not listed above must also submit a copy of the death certificate to be eligible to receive the birth certificate."

What information do I need when getting a copy of my Pennsylvania birth certificate?

When you request a copy of someone's birth records, you must supply some information such as:

  1. The name at birth.
  2. Changed name if applicable.
  3. Type of birth record.
  4. Place of birth.
  5. Date of birth.
  6. Gender.
  7. Mother's maiden name.
  8. Father's full name.

As the requestor, you must also supply your name, address, email address, and phone number. You must produce a valid photo ID and show proper authorization.

Where can I find historical vital records in Pennsylvania for genealogy research?

Contact the Department of Health Bureau of Health Statistics & Registries Division of Vital Records. They are the custodian of all birth records dating back to 1906.

How can I correct an error on my birth record?

For questions about birth records or to make changes, you must contact the Department of Health Bureau of Health Statistics & Registries Division of Vital Records via phone or email. They can help you with any corrections.

Can I get a refund if my Pennsylvania birth record is not available?

No. Birth certificate search fees are not refundable.

Pennsylvania Death Records

In Pennsylvania, death records are private, and therefore only certain people can get copies. The Department of Health Bureau of Health Statistics & Registries Division of Vital Records has death certificates dating back to 1906. According to the Vital Records, office death certificates in Pennsylvania are most often used for "closing financial accounts, settling estates, claiming life insurance and pension beneficiary benefits, canceling accounts or re-establishing the account holder contact with utility companies, and serving as documentation for a widow/widower to remarry." You can order death certificates by phone and internet through VitalChek or in person or by mail through the state agency.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pennsylvania Death Records

How do I find death records in Pennsylvania?

Contact the Department of Health Bureau of Health Statistics & Registries Division of Vital Records. They are the state custodian for all death records dating back to 1906.

Are death records public in Pennsylvania?

No, they are not. Only close family, relatives, and legal representatives can get a copy.

How much does it cost to get a copy of a death certificate in Pennsylvania?

Each copy of a Pennsylvania death certificate costs $20. If you order through VitalChek, you must also pay their $10 processing fee.

How long does it take to get a copy of a Pennsylvania death record?

If you order online or by phone, you can get your order with 7-10 days. If you visit in person, you can get a copy the same day. If you order through the mail, you may wait a week or more.

Who can request death records?

Death records are not open to the public in Pennsylvania. Therefore, only certain people can get copies, such as:

  1. "Spouse.
  2. Ex-spouse. An ex-spouse must provide documentation to establish direct interest.
  3. Parent or stepparent. A stepparent must also submit a marriage certificate to support the relationship to the person named on the death certificate.
  4. Brother, sister, half-brother, half-sister.
  5. Son or daughter.
  6. Stepson or step-daughter (must submit the parent's marriage certificate to support the relationship).
  7. Grandparent or great-grandparent.
  8. Grandchild or great-grandchild.
  9. Power of Attorney.
  10. Attorney or legal representative of the decedent's estate (must provide supporting documentation).
  11. Representative of the decedent's estate (must provide documentation to establish direct interest).
  12. Individual showing a direct financial interest to the decedent (must provide documentation to support direct interest).
  13. 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).
  14. Extended family members who indicate a direct relationship to the decedent (documentation may be required)."

What information do I need when getting a copy of someone's Pennsylvania death certificate?

When you request a copy of someone's death certificate, you need the following information:

  1. Name at death.
  2. Gender.
  3. Social security number.
  4. Age at death.
  5. Date of death.
  6. Date of birth.
  7. Funeral home.
  8. Mother's full name.
  9. Father's full name.

As the requestor, you must also supply your name, address, email address, and phone number. You must produce a valid photo ID and show proper authorization.

Where can I find historical death records in Pennsylvania?

Death records are kept private until 50 years; then they become public records. For genealogy requests, you can contact the Department of Health Bureau of Health Statistics & Registries Division of Vital Records. They can help you as long as you have enough information to find the record.

How can I correct an error on someone's death record?

For questions about death records or to make changes, you must contact the Department of Health Bureau of Health Statistics & Registries Division of Vital Records via phone or email. They can help you with any corrections.

Can I get a refund if my Pennsylvania death record is not available?

No, all death certificate searches are non-refundable.

Pennsylvania Marriage Records

Marriage records in Pennsylvania are not managed by the Department of Health Bureau of Health Statistics & Registries Division of Vital Records. Instead, they are stored, maintained, and issued by the Orphan's Court where the marriage took place. Depending on the court and the county, the process and fees may vary. However, in counties like Allegheny County, you can get copies of marriage records pretty easily online or in person at the Clerk of the Court's office. You do have to fill out an application and pay a fee. Marriage records come in handy when you want to change your name or prove your marital state. Some counties have records dating back to 1885.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pennsylvania Marriage Records

Are Pennsylvania marriage records public?

Yes, and anyone can use one of the marriage license search tools to find them. You also have the option of visiting the courthouse in person.

What Pennsylvania marriage records are available?

Some counties like Allegheny County have them dating back to 1885 or later. Some counties store them online for easy searching.

How long does it take to get a marriage certificate in Pennsylvania?

You can search online and pay a fee to get one instantly or visit in person to get one the same day.

How much does a Pennsylvania marriage certificate cost?

It depends on the county courthouse, but typically, a certified copy will cost around $10 and $4 for a non-certified copy with the seal.

When requesting records, what information do I need?

When requesting a copy of someone's marriage records, you will need to provide some basic information such as:

  1. Name of party 1.
  2. Name of party 2.
  3. Date of marriage.
  4. Place of marriage.

How do I get a copy of a Pennsylvania marriage record?

You can visit the Clerk of the Court in the county where you were married or look online and see if they have a website with a search tool. Some of them allow you to search online, pay a fee, and get a copy.

What if I didn't get married in Pennsylvania?

If you were not married in Pennsylvania, you must contact the Clerk of the Court in the county where you were married.

Who can get a copy of my marriage certificate?

Anyone. Marriage records are open public records in Pennsylvania.

How do I correct a marriage certificate in Pennsylvania?

You must contact the Clerk of the Court in the county where you were married to make any changes or corrections to the original file.

Pennsylvania Divorce Records

The state of Pennsylvania has been keeping divorce records since 1804. Each individual county Prothonotary's Office maintains and issued divorce records upon request. Divorce records are open to the public, and anyone can get a copy. Depending on the county, the fee may vary. For example, in Philadelphia County, the fee for a certified copy of a divorce record if $41.58. To get copies, you can visit the office in person or contact them through the mail or phone. Divorce records come in handy when you want to remarry, change your name back, or other instances where you must validate your marital state.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pennsylvania Divorce Records

Can I find divorce records online in Pennsylvania?

In some cases, yes. Some counties do have their records online, but not all. The State Library of Pennsylvania has divorce records, and some are posted in online newspapers.

How do I find old divorce records?

Contact the State Library of Pennsylvania. They have copies of all divorce records dating back to 1804.

How do I get a copy of my divorce certificate?

You must visit the local Prothonotary's Office in the county where your divorce was granted. You must fill out an application and pay the fee for a certified copy.

What information is needed to search for a Pennsylvania divorce record?

When requesting a copy of someone's divorce records, you need the following information:

  1. Name of spouse 1.
  2. Name of spouse 2.
  3. Date of divorce.
  4. Place of divorce.

If they can't find my divorce record, can I get a refund?

No, all search fees are non-refundable.

What if my divorce took place outside of Pennsylvania?

If you were not divorced in Pennsylvania, you must contact the Clerk of the Court or vital records office in the state and county where your divorce was finalized.

Table of Contents