Order your Pennsylvania (PA) Birth Certificate Online

If you were born in the state of Pennsylvania and need a copy of your certificate, you can quickly apply for one online. All you have to do is complete an online application with your personal details.

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Pennsylvania Birth Certificate Application

The Pennsylvania birth certificate application is straightforward and easy to fill out. The application is currently available online, and you can provide your personal details in just a few minutes. To successfully complete the process, you will be required to send a copy of a valid photo ID, such as a driver’s license, to the Pennsylvania Vital Records office. Furthermore, you must cover a fee per copy you request. You can pay with a money order or a personal check.

The birth certificate can be used to prove your identity for legal purposes. There are several instances when you will need to have an authorized copy of your Pennsylvania birth certificate. For instance, you will have to present one to obtain your driver’s license, get married, apply for a U.S. passport, or register for school. Regardless of the reason why you might need a replacement of your birth certificate, getting an authorized or informational copy is fairly simple.

In Pennsylvania, the Department of Health manages all birth certificate requests. Besides birth certificates, the Pennsylvania Department of Health also handles marriage and death certificates. In the United States all records of life events must be kept under governmental authority. There is not a single vital records office in Pennsylvania, in fact there are offices located in:

Beware that starting May 3rd, 2023, U.S. nationals and residents must have a REAL ID compliant driver’s license or ID card to be able to enter federal facilities and board commercial aircrafts. Among the requirements to get a REAL ID, you will need to prove your identity with a document such as the birth certificate.

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What is the Difference Between an Informational Copy and an Authorized Copy?

Before requesting a copy of your birth certificate in Pennsylvania, it is important that you know what kind of certificate you need as there are two types in Pennsylvania: an informational copy or an authorized copy.

An authorized copy will always have the registrar’s raised, embossed, impressed or multicolored seal, as well as the registrar’s signature, and the date the certificate was filed with the registrar’s office. You may order an authorized copy on behalf of another person, as long as you are eligible.

As a general rule, the following people are eligible to apply for a person’s birth certificate:

  • The person named on the certificate.
  • That person’s mother, father, or legal guardian.
  • The husband or wife of person named on certificate.
  • The son or daughter of person named on certificate.
  • The sister or brother of person named on certificate.
  • The legal representative of an authorized person.
  • Power of Attorney.

Please note that a Power of Attorney (POA) document should only be submitted when an individual or eligible family member is unable to apply for the birth certificate. However, a POA is expected to meet several requirements to successfully obtain the birth certificate.

Birth certificates that are authorized, have a confidential section which is restricted to:

  • The person named on the birth certificate.
  • The parent who signed the birth certificate or, if no parent signed the certificate, the mother.
  • The person who has petitioned to adopt the person named on the certificate of live birth.

Meanwhile, the informational copy has the following words imprinted across the face of the copy: “Informational, not a valid document to establish identity”. The information is the same as the info displayed on the authorized copy.

How to Get a Pennsylvania Birth Certificate Copy

To get your Pennsylvania (PA) birth certificate you simply need to follow a few steps. You no longer need to travel to a vital records office to get your authorized or informational copy. You can complete a birth certificate online application with your personal details, print it out and mail it to the Pennsylvania Department of Health along with a copy of a valid U.S. ID, and the respective payment.

When you apply for a certified copy, you must prove your identity. Eligible applicants must be 16 years of age or older for in-person and mail applications.

All those born in the state of Pennsylvania that need to request a certified copy of their birth certificate will need to include a clear photocopy of both sides of one of the forms of photo ID listed below along with a completed application form:

  • PA Driver’s License
  • PA ID Card
  • Driver’s license issued by another U.S. State, jurisdiction or territory state-issued
  • Photo State Identification Card issued by another U.S. State, jurisdiction or territory
  • Passport

pennsylvania birth certificate sample

Once your application package is completed you will need to mail it to:

Division of Vital Records
ATTN: Birth Unit
P.O. Box 1528
New Castle, PA. 16103-1528

This is the office that handles all birth certificate requests that are send via mail. You can always go in person to the vital records office where your birth was recorded.

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Pennsylvania Birth Certificate Cost

When requesting a copy of a birth certificate in Pennsylvania, it is important to cover the cost of each copy requested. When preparing your application, you will need to include a money order or a personal check.

The filing fee of each copy of a birth certificate in Pennsylvania is of $20. The price is the same for both, a certified or an informational copy.If you need and extra copy the fee is $20 for each.

Individuals can have the fee waived if they are between the ages of 16 and 24 and can demonstrate their current or past involvement in foster care or juvenile justice. It will also be waived for individuals experiencing homelessness.

The fee can also be waived if you are an active or honorably discharged U.S. Armed Forces service members and for your spouse or widow/widower if not remarried.

birth certificate

Pennsylvania (PA) Birth Certificate Processing Times

After completing your application and mailing it to the vital records office you need to know that each application has a processing time. In Pennsylvania, birth certificate requests are processed within 2 weeks. There are peak request periods, and it is possible that during these periods, the order takes longer to process.

Pennsylvania Vital Records Offices

Below you will find a complete list of Vital Records offices and Pennsylvania (PA) County Recorders that are able to provide Birth Certificate copies. Though County Recorder Offices may not be close to your home, they can at times process requests faster than CDPH-VR.

Pennsylvania Birth Certificate FAQs

  • How to get a birth certificate in Pennsylvania?

    Citizens who need a Pennsylvania birth certificate issued will need to:

    • Fill out a birth certificate application form (available by clicking the button above). Our experts will revise your form to ensure it is error-free so your vital record can be issued straight away
    • Once verified, print, sign and pack the form with the required fees and photocopies of the appropriate ID (full list of photo IDs above)* Submit> your birth certificate application package by mail or in-person at the vital records office
    • Receive your PA birth certificate at home

  • How long does it take to get birth certificate in Pennsylvania?

    Turnaround time for a certified copy of a Pennsylvania birth certificate may vary:

    -Mail-in orders take approximately 2 weeks -In-person requests usually require waiting in line -Rush service is currently not available

    To ensure the fastest processing time and avoid your application being rejected:

    -Fill out a birth certificate application form online (use button above). -Our experts will review your form to make sure it is free of mistakes so your vital record can be issued straight away -Follow our personalized instructions to receive your official birth certificate at home

  • How much is a birth certificate in Pennsylvania?

    Obtaining a government-issued copy of a birth certificate in Pennsylvania requires the state fees to be paid. The payment must be made at the same time that the birth certificate application is submitted. It is good practice to order more than one copy of the same birth certificate, to keep on file for your own records or for future use. Each copy of a PA birth certificate carries a cost of $20

  • Can I get a birth certificate in person in PA?

    It is possible to obtain a certified copy of a birth certificate in person at a Pennsylvania vital records office. However, this usually entails long lines at the vital records office and can sometimes result in your application being denied.

    To avoid rejected applications and ensure your birth certificate application is filled straight away:

    -Fill the birth certificate application online (click button above to start form) and have our experts revise your form before submitting it -Once revised, print, sign and pack your form with the necessary documents and fees as specified in our personalized instructions

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Some states require that you provide a copy of your photo ID card to order a certified copy of your birth certificate. Our complete application package provides all the information on which documents you need to provide and how to go about it.

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