Piladelphia (PA) Birth Certificate Online

Order a Philadelphia (PA) birth certificate online to avoid long lines at the vital records office. Complete an easy form to get a certified copy of a Philadelphia County birth certificate mailed to you.

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Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (PA) Birth Certificate Replacement

Citizens born in Philapdelphia County or in Philadelphia City are issued a Pennsylvania birth certificate as soon as their birth is officially registered.

This essential legal document is a mandatory requirement for several U.S. official processes, These includes, for example, obtaining government benefits, applying for US passport, a social security card, a driver’s license, and getting married, amongst others.

If your Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania birth certificate got lost, stolen, or was misplaced or destroyed —even partially— you will have to obtain a Philadelphia County birth certificate replacement.

Applying for a legally-valid copy of a Philadelphia (PA) vital record can conveniently be done online, eliminating the need to wait in line at a vital statistics office.

Ordering a Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania birth certificate online is a quick and straightforward procedure. The form takes no more than 10 minutes to complete and we provide personalized instructions to help you complete your birth certificate application with ease.

Once your Philadelphia, Pennsylvania birth certificate replacement application has been processed, you will receive an official copy of your vital record at home.

Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania (PA) birth certificate types

These are the specific types of birth certificate copies that can be issued in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania:

  • Long-form copy of a Philadelphia, (PA) birth certificate: a government-issued copy of the original document, the only type that can be used for legal purposes. Also known as Birth certificate long form, or certified copy of a birth certificate.
  • Short-form copy of a Philadelphia, (PA) birth certificate: an abstract of the birth record that only shows the individual's basic information. Also known as informational copy. It cannot be used for legal purposes.

Long-form authorized copies are the only certificates that can be provided to prove identity, nationality, and age and are necessary for several bureaucratic processes such as applying for a U.S. passport or Social Security number.

Official copies carry 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.

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How to Get a Certified Birth Certificate in Philadelphia (PA)

To order an authorized copy of a Philadelphia County, (PA) birth certificate:

  • Fill out the birth certificate application (available by clicking the button on this page) with the required information
  • Print and sign it
  • Mail it to the Pennsylvania vital records office with the necessary requirements, a prepaid self-addressed envelope, and payment (as detailed in the personalized instructions you will receive)

Your certified copy will be issued and sent by mail to the address printed on your self-addressed postage-paid envelope.

From 1906 to present registers, copies of a Philadelphia County (PA) Birth and Death Certificates may be ordered by mailing your application package to the following address:

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

Alternatively, citizens of the rest of Philadelphia County (PA), can also order a certified copy of their birth certificate at the Vital Records Office. Those who prefer to submit their birth certificate application in person, may do so at the following address during walk-in hours.

Philadelphia Vital Records Office
110 N. Eight St., Suite 108
Philadelphia, PA 19107-2412

Please note that As of May 7, 2025, U.S. citizens and residents must have a REAL ID-compliant driving license or ID card to enter federal facilities and board commercial aircrafts. Requirements to obtain a REAL ID may include proof of identity, such as a certified copy of the birth certificate.

Philadelphia birth certificate requirements

To get a certified copy of a Philadelphia County (PA), Pennsylvania birth certificate, you will need to complete the online birth certificate application with your personal data:

  • Full name (as it would appear on the certificate)
  • Date of birth
  • Mother’s name or parent’s name prior to first marriage
  • Father’s name or parent’s name prior to first marriage

Citizens applying for a certified copy of a Philadelphia birth certificate need to prove their identity and be over 18 years old.

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

Who is eligible to apply

An official copy of a Philadelphia County (PA) birth certificate can be ordered by:

  • 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 the documentation that must be presented alongside the Philadelphia birth certificate application may vary depending on the person requesting the vital record.

How to Request an Apostille for a Philadelphia County (PA) Birth Certificate

If you need to use your birth certificate outside the U.S territory, your document should bear an apostille to grant it legal validity abroad.

This can be obtained by mail. Simply send your official birth certificate, together with the apostille fee to the Secretary of State’s office in a self-addressed postage-paid envelope. Make sure to have Certificate of Authentication Request at hand. Certain counties may have additional requirements.

Pennsylvania Authentications Unit address:

Pennsylvania Department of State
Bureau of Commissions, Elections and Legislation
Room 210 North Office Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120-0029

Philadelphia Birth Certificate Cost

Requesting a copy of a Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania (PA) birth certificate carries a fee. If ordered to Pennsylvania state office the fee is $20. If an extra copy is needed from state office, the cost is $20

Accepted payment methods include personal checks, money orders, cashier checks, and business checks.

Please note that the fee for your Philadelphia birth certificate application may vary depending on whether you submit it at the state vital records office or at the county vital records office.

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birth certificate cost

Philadelphia (PA) Birth Certificate Processing Times

In most cases, your Philadelphia County birth certificate order will be filled within 2 weeks. However, some vital records may take longer due to peak demand periods.

You will then receive your certified copy of the Philadelphia, Pensylvania (PA) birth certificate by post, delivered right to your door.

Once you have mailed the application, along with a copy of a photo ID and the fees, the vital records office will process your request.

Unfortunately, rush orders are not available for Philadelphia vital records. Therefore, it is advisable to request a copy of your birth certificate ahead of time so as to avoid delays.

Pennsylvania Vital Records Office

The following is a complete list of Vital Records and Public Health offices that can provide birth certificate copies in Pennsylvania.

Keep in mind that the Philadelphia County Clerk’s office may sometimes process requests faster than the state vital records office.

Regardless of whether the birth certificate you require is found or not, a non-refundable search fee will be charged.

FAQs About Philadelphia (PA) Birth Certificates

  • How much does a Philadelphia birth certificate copy cost?

    Each copy of a government-issued How much does a Philadelphia County birth certificate copy cost?, Pennsylvania (PA) birth certificate carries a fee of $20.

    It is advisable to order more than one copy of a Philadelphia County birth certificate within the same form to keep on file for future use or for your records. Additional copies of a birth certificate requested within the same order form carry the same fees as the first document.

  • Where can I get a copy of a Philadelphia, Pennsylvania birth certificate?

    The most convenient way to get a certified copy of a Philadelphia (PA) birth certificate is to apply online.

    Once you have filled out your PhiladelphiaCounty birth certificate application and gathered the necessary documentation, you may post your application package to the following address:

    Philadelphia Vital Records
    110 N. Eight St., Suite 108
    Philadelphia, PA 19107-2412

    The agency will then issue the Philadelphia County birth certificate and you will receive it by mail at your chosen address.

    Should you prefer to file your Philadelphia County (PA) birth certificate application in person, you may do so at the county vital records office as well. Please note that the fees may vary between the state and county offices, so make sure you inquire about the fees wherever you are submitting your application.

  • How long does it take to get a birth certificate in Philadelphia County?

    Getting a government-issued copy of a Philadelphia birth certificate usually takes 2 weeks to process. Rush service is not available.

    The surefire way to get a certified copy of a (PA) birth certificate issued directly is to have our experts revise your application before you mail it. That way, you can be certain it is error-free and your request won't be rejected.

    Typos or inconsistencies in the data may cause unnecessary delays or setbacks.

    Our team can help you avoid the extra hassle so that the (PA) vital records office can send your birth certificate directly to your door on the first try.

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ID Verification
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.