Order Online Pennsylvania (PA) Death Certificate
Apply quickly and securely for a certified Pennsylvania death certificate copy. Start the process today to get an official death record from the PA Department of Health.
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Disclaimer: Usbirthcertificates.com is a private, independent website owned by Travel Document Systems LLC, not affiliated with any government agency. We provide vital records application assistance services. Blank forms can be obtained for free at the relevant state office.
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Apply for your Death Certificate Order your death certificate by completing the application form in just 5 minutes and avoid long lines and government offices.
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Expert review and quick turnaround Receive your mistake-free revised application and all the documents to mail your application and get your certificate.
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Get your Death Certificate Once you submit your application you will get your death certificate delivered to your home.
Pennsylvania Death Certificate Application
An official death certificate is often needed for legal and financial matters, like transferring property titles, settling wills and estates, and claiming life insurance. You also need a certified copy to close bank accounts on behalf of the deceased person, notify Social Security of their passing, and apply for survivor or veteran’s benefits.
You can apply for a death certificate in Pennsylvania online or in person at a vital records office. All official records of this type are issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, including birth and marriage certificates and all vital records.
Instead of making the application in person, you can request a PA death certificate online. Our site simplifies the process with a secure form and step-by-step support. We help you get an official copy that’s valid for legal and financial use. Apply for a Death Certificate now
How to Get A Pennsylvania Death Certificate
To request a death certificate in Pennsylvania, you must:
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Complete the online application form.
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Make a photocopy of your ID.
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Prepare payment for the state fee and processing.
You can use a driver’s license or State ID issued by Pennsylvania or any other U.S. state, jurisdiction, or territory. Passports are also accepted as valid ID.
Once your application is ready, you can present it in person at a vital records office, or send it by mail to:
Division of Vital Records
ATTN: Death Certificate Processing Unit
P.O. Box 1528
New Castle, PA. 16103
Who Can Request a Pennsylvania Death Certificate?
In Pennsylvania, the following people can request a death certificate for a deceased person:
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Spouse, ex-spouse, parent, or step-parent
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Child, stepchild, sibling, or half-sibling
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Grandparent, great-grandparent, grandchild, or great-grandchild
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Legal representative, Power of Attorney, or estate executor
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Someone with direct financial interest or from a government office managing the estate
Extended family members can also sometimes order a certified copy of a death certificate, but extra documents may be required.
Types Of Pennsylvania Death Certificate
You can request two types of death certificates in Pennsylvania: long form (with medical information) and short form (without medical information).
Certificates that do not disclose medical information related to the death are generally used to inform banks and utility companies of a person’s passing. They can also usually be used to claim pension benefits and transfer property titles.
You may need a death certificate with medical information for life insurance claims.
Before you start your death certificate application, you should decide which type of certificate you need. Records without medical information can only be issued for deaths that occurred from 2020 onwards.
You can request both long and short form certificates from the State of Pennsylvania as informational or certified copies. Check the details that are included and how they’re used to decide which type you need.
| Type | What It Includes | Common Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Certified copy |
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| Informational copy |
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Pennsylvania Death Certificate Cost
The cost of a death certificate in Pennsylvania is $20 per certified copy. This applies whether you need a certified or informational record. Additional service or shipping fees may also apply.
If you qualify for the U.S. Armed Forces fee waiver, include proof with your application. When applying by mail, pay by check or money order made out to ‘VITAL RECORDS’. Do not send cash.
Pennsylvania Death Certificate Processing Times
Processing times can vary according to demand. Standard processing for a PA death certificate via mail is 4 weeks, not including delivery time.
If you need the record urgently, an in person application made at a vital records office is usually faster. It’s not possible to make an appointment, so you’ll have to wait in line to process your request. Apply for a Death Certificate now
Pennsylvania Vital Records Offices
Below is a list of Pennsylvania (PA) Vital Records Offices that process official copies of death certificates.
Pennsylvania Vital Records Offices
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Allegheny County Birth Certificates
411 Seventh Avenue, Suite 360
Pittsburg, PA 15219-1973 -
Erie County Birth Certificates
1910 W. 26th St.
Erie, PA 16508-1148 -
Harrisburg County Birth Certificates
Forum Place Building
555 Walnut St. First Floor,
Harrisburg, PA 17101-1914 -
New Castle County Birth Certificates
105 Nestbitt Road
New Castle, PA 16105 -
Pittsburgh County Birth Certificates
411 Seventh Avenue, Suite 360
Pittsburg, PA 15219-1973 -
Philadelphia County Birth Certificates
110 N. Eight St., Suite 108
Philadelphia, PA 19107-2412 -
Scranton County Birth Certificates
Office Building, Room 112, 100 Lackawanna Ave.
Scranton, PA 18503-1928
Get your state-issued certified record
If you need an official copy of a vital record, it only takes a few minutes to apply securely from the comfort of home.
Start any vital record application from only $59
FAQs About Pennsylvania (PA) Death Certificates
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To request a Pennsylvania birth certificate, follow these steps:
- Fill out our online application form. We’ll review it for errors before you print.
- Print, sign, and prepare your application with the required fee and a copy of your photo ID.
Submit it by mail or in person to the Vital Records Office and receive your Pennsylvania death certificate at home.
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Death certificate processing times in Pennsylvania vary according to demand:
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Mail-in orders take 4 weeks to process.
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In person requests may involve long wait times.
Rush service is not available at this time.
To avoid delays or rejections and get the record as fast as possible:
- Complete the online death certificate application using the button above.
- Our team will check your form for errors before submission.
Follow the step-by-step instructions to receive your certified death certificate by mail.
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The state fee for each certified copy is $20.
You may also pay additional shipping charges. You’re recommended to order several copies of the certificate, as most agencies require an official copy.
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To get a PA death certificate, you need:
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Valid photo ID (driver’s license, State ID, or passport)
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Completed application form
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Payment of state processing fees
In some cases, you might also need to submit proof of your eligibility to apply. This means documentation that demonstrates your relationship with the deceased person or your legal interest in requesting the record.
To benefit from the U.S. Armed Forces fee waiver, you must provide evidence that you’re eligible.
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Original certificates for deaths from 1906 through 1974 in Pennsylvania are stored at the State Archives. Digital copies of some death records from 1906 through 1972 are now public records, free for Pennsylvania residents to access.
Death certificates from this period list details such as name, place, and date of death, age, family information, and cause of death. Stillbirths appear in both birth and death records. New records from 1967 and 1968 were recently added to the system.
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