Introduction to Pennsylvania Death Certificates

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

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

Pennsylvania Death Certificate Authorized Persons

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

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

Pennsylvania Death Certificate for Genealogy Purpose

If you do not meet the above eligibility requirements for genealogy or other reasons.

Pennsylvania Death Certificate Ordering

Options Option 1 – Order Pennsylvania Death Certificate Online

This option is the simplest and easiest way to get your Pennsylvania Death Certificate.  Order online and you will get your Pennsylvania Death 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 Death Certificate through the Mail

Follow the instructions below, if you are not ordering your Pennsylvania Death 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 Death certificate:

• Full name of person at Death on the Pennsylvania Death certificate
• Date of Death on the Pennsylvania Death certificate
• Sex on the Pennsylvania Death certificate
• County (or city) of Death on the Pennsylvania Death certificate
• Your name 
• Your signature 
• Your relationship to the person whose Pennsylvania Death certificate you are requesting 
• Address where the Pennsylvania Death 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 Death certificate. Most Pennsylvania Death certificates can be issued while you wait.

Pennsylvania Death Certificate Ordering Cost

The fee to search for a Pennsylvania Death certificate is $9.00, which includes one certified copy of the Pennsylvania Death certificate or a "Certificate of Failure to Find." For each additional copy of the Pennsylvania Death certificate ordered at the same time, the fee is $9.00. 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.