After your loved one passes away in Pennsylvania, you might need to get a copy of his or her death certificate for a number of different purposes. Here is some information that Elder Care Direction has compiled to let you know how you can go about getting a death certificate in Pennsylvania.
Who can request death certificates?
The following people are qualified to request Pennsylvania death certificates:
- A member of the decedent’s immediate family
- Other family members with a direct relationship to the decedent
- Attorney for the decedent’s estate
How much does it cost?
Searching for death certificates costs $9. This fee includes a certified copy of your loved one’s death certificate. The fee may be waived for military service members, their spouses, or their minor children. You can pay by a check or money order that is made out to Vital Records, and you cannot get a refund of the fee.
Required information
You will need to include the following required information with your request:
- Name
- Address
- Phone number
- Email address
- Relationship to the decedent
- What you will use the certified copy for
- Decedent’s name and sex
- Date and place of death
- Social security number
- Age at death
- DOB
- Mother’s maiden name
- Father’s name
- Funeral director
- Copy of current, government-issued photo ID
If you are a military service member or a spouse or dependent child of one, you will need to submit the following additional information:
- Military service member’s name and relationship to you
- The service number
- Branch of service and rank
How to submit your request
You can submit your request in person or by mail. To send it in the mail, download and complete your application for a death certificate. Include the fee and a self-addressed stamped envelope, and mail the request to the following address:
Division of Vital Records
Attn: Death Unit
101 South Mercer Street
P.O. Box 1528
New Castle, PA 16103
To apply in person, go to one of the regional offices of the division of vital records. These are located in Erie, Harrisburg, New Castle, Philadelphia, Pittsburg, and Scranton, Pennsylvania. All of the offices are open from 8 am to 4 pm Monday through Friday, except for the New Castle office, which is open from 8 am to 4:30 pm. To receive same-day service, you must submit your request by 1:30 pm in all but the New Castle office. If you go to New Castle, same-day service requires you to submit your order no later than 2 pm. All of the offices are open Monday through Friday and are closed on state holidays. Here are the addresses of the regional offices:
Erie Public Office
Division of Vital Records
1910 West 26th Street
Erie, PA 16508-1148
Harrisburg Public Office
Forum Place
555 Walnut Street, 1st Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17101-1914
New Castle Public Office
Division of Vital Records
Room 401 Central Building
101 South Mercer Street
New Castle, PA 16101
Philadelphia Public Office
Division of Vital Records
110 North 8th Street, Suite 108
Philadelphia, PA 19107-2412
Pittsburgh Public Office
Division of Vital Records
411 7th Avenue, Suite 360
Pittsburgh, PA 15219-1973
Scranton Public Office
Division of Vital Records
Room 112, Scranton State Office Building
100 Lackawanna Avenue
Scranton, PA 18503-1928
Contact Elder Care Direction
If you need help understanding how probate and estate administration works, contact Elder Care Direction. We can help you with basic paperwork and give you referrals to probate and estate lawyers if you need to find a legal representative. Call us today to learn more.