Getting a Death Certificate in Pennsylvania
Obtaining certified death certificate copies in Pennsylvania requires submitting a request to the Pennsylvania Department of Health - Division of Vital Records. The official fee is $20 per certified copy, with standard processing taking 4-8 weeks. Our service handles this entire process on your behalf for a flat $45 per copy fee, which includes the official state fees.
Step-by-Step Process
- Determine eligibility: In Pennsylvania, only authorized persons may request death certificates. See the "Who Can Request" section below.
- Gather required documents: You will need to provide specific documentation with your request. See the "Required Documents" section below.
- Submit your request: Requests can be submitted to the Pennsylvania Department of Health - Division of Vital Records by mail, or in person at the state office by appointment.
- Pay the official fees: The official fee is $20 per certified copy. Payment methods accepted by the vital records office include check or money order payable to the state health department.
- Receive your copies: Certified copies are mailed to your address after processing. Standard processing takes 4-8 weeks; expedited processing available in approximately 1-2 weeks for an additional $25 fee.
Required Documents
- Completed application (BDVR-110)
- Copy of requestor's photo ID
- Proof of relationship
- Payment
Who Can Request a Pennsylvania Death Certificate
Pennsylvania restricts access to death certificates to authorized individuals. Eligible requestors include:
- Spouse
- Parent
- Child (18+)
- Sibling (18+)
- Grandparent
- Attorney
- Funeral director
Pennsylvania Vital Records Office Contact
Pennsylvania Department of Health - Division of Vital Records
- Address
- 101 South Mercer Street, New Castle, PA 16103
- Phone
- (724) 656-3100
- Website
- Official Website
- Cost
- $20 per certified copy
- Processing Time
- 4-8 weeks (standard)
Counties in Pennsylvania
Death certificates in Pennsylvania can be requested for deaths that occurred in any of the state's 67 counties.
Show all 67 Pennsylvania counties
- Adams
- Allegheny
- Armstrong
- Beaver
- Bedford
- Berks
- Blair
- Bradford
- Bucks
- Butler
- Cambria
- Cameron
- Carbon
- Centre
- Chester
- Clarion
- Clearfield
- Clinton
- Columbia
- Crawford
- Cumberland
- Dauphin
- Delaware
- Elk
- Erie
- Fayette
- Forest
- Franklin
- Fulton
- Greene
- Huntingdon
- Indiana
- Jefferson
- Juniata
- Lackawanna
- Lancaster
- Lawrence
- Lebanon
- Lehigh
- Luzerne
- Lycoming
- McKean
- Mercer
- Mifflin
- Monroe
- Montgomery
- Montour
- Northampton
- Northumberland
- Perry
- Philadelphia
- Pike
- Potter
- Schuylkill
- Snyder
- Somerset
- Sullivan
- Susquehanna
- Tioga
- Union
- Venango
- Warren
- Washington
- Wayne
- Westmoreland
- Wyoming
- York
Let Us Handle This For You
Skip the research and paperwork. We identify the right office, submit your request in Pennsylvania's required format, advance the official fees, and deliver certified copies to you.
Order Pennsylvania Death CertificatesRelated: Find Funeral Homes in Pennsylvania
If you are working with a funeral home in Pennsylvania, our directory lists funeral homes across the state. Browse funeral homes in Pennsylvania.
Frequently Asked Questions - Pennsylvania
The official government fee in Pennsylvania is $20 per certified copy. Through our service, you pay $45 per copy which includes the official state fee and our preparation and delivery service.
Standard processing in Pennsylvania takes 4-8 weeks from the date your application is received by the vital records office. Expedited processing is available in Pennsylvania for an additional $25 flat fee, with processing in approximately 1-2 weeks.
Most requests in Pennsylvania go through the state vital records office at Pennsylvania Department of Health - Division of Vital Records. Some counties may have local options - contact us or check the county health department website.
Death certificates are issued by the vital records office for the state where the death occurred, not where the person lived. If the death occurred in Pennsylvania, you request it from Pennsylvania vital records regardless of where the deceased resided.