Introduction to Pennsylvania Birth Certificates

This article is designed to help you get a Pennsylvania birth certificate.  Counter to common belief, not everything is on the Internet.  Personal birth certificates are one of the items that are not readily available online, and that is probably a good thing.  You do not want your birth certificate in the public domain, where it can be seen by anyone.  However, this does not mean that you can’t easily get your birth certificate.  

Pennsylvania birth certificates have been maintained by the Pennsylvania Department of Health – Division of Vital Records for individuals born in the state of Pennsylvania since 1906.

Pennsylvania Birth Certificate Authorized Persons

By Pennsylvania state law, Pennsylvania birth certificates are confidential records and can only be obtained by the following authorized individuals:

• Person Named on the Pennsylvania Birth Certificate
• Mother/Father (or Legal Guardian) of Person Named on the Pennsylvania Birth Certificate
• Grandparents and Great Grandparents of Person Named on the Pennsylvania Birth Certificate
• Husband/Wife of Person Named on the Pennsylvania Birth Certificate 
• Adult Son/Daughter of Person Named on the Pennsylvania Birth Certificate
• Adult grandchildren of Person Named on the Pennsylvania Birth Certificate
• Sister/Brother of individual named on the Pennsylvania birth certificate
• Legal Representative of an Authorized Person of Person Named on the Pennsylvania Birth Certificate

Pennsylvania Birth Certificate for Genealogy Purpose

If you do not meet the above eligibility requirements, you must be a family member and submit a copy of the individual’s death certificate to be eligible to receive a Pennsylvania Birth Certificate, for genealogy or other reasons.

Pennsylvania Birth Certificate Ordering

Options Option 1 – Order Pennsylvania Birth Certificate Online

This option is the simplest and easiest way to get your Pennsylvania Birth Certificate.  Order online and you will get your Pennsylvania Birth Certificate usually in less than a week.  Many times you will have the option of receiving your vital record by next-day or second-day service.

Order Birth and Death Records Online!  

Option 2 – Order Pennsylvania Birth Certificate through the Mail

Follow the instructions below, if you are not ordering your Pennsylvania birth certificate online.  It usually takes 3 weeks upon receipt of request to be sent to you:

Step 1: Download Mail-In Application

Step 2: Please provide as much of the following information as possible to locate the Pennsylvania birth certificate:

• Full name of person at birth on the Pennsylvania birth certificate
• Date of birth on the Pennsylvania birth certificate
• Sex on the Pennsylvania birth certificate
• County (or city) of birth on the Pennsylvania birth certificate
• Hospital of birth - if not in a hospital state "home" 
• Full maiden name of mother on the Pennsylvania birth certificate
• Full name of father on the Pennsylvania birth certificate
• Your name 
• Your signature 
• Your relationship to the person whose Pennsylvania birth certificate you are requesting 
• Address where the Pennsylvania birth certificate is to be mailed 
• Self addressed stamped envelope
• Your daytime phone number
• By Mail: Send the above information and the appropriate fee to:

 

Division of Vital Records

101 South Mercer Street, Room 401

PO Box 1528

New Castle, PA  16101

Option 3 – In Person

In Person in Pennsylvania: You may go to any county health department in the State of Pennsylvania to obtain a certified copy of a Pennsylvania birth certificate. Most Pennsylvania birth certificates can be issued while you wait.

Pennsylvania Birth Certificate Ordering Cost

The fee to search for a Pennsylvania birth certificate is $10.00, which includes one certified copy of the Pennsylvania birth certificate or a "Certificate of Failure to Find." For each additional copy of the Pennsylvania birth certificate ordered at the same time, the fee is $10.00. Checks or Money Orders should be made payable to "Pennsylvania Vital Records." Please do not send cash. Fees are not refundable. Additional fees are required for expedited service.  This fee will be waived for individuals who served or are currently serving in the Armed Forces and their dependents.