Pennsylvania Department of Health - Division of Vital Records
Pennsylvania · Vital Records
pa.gov/agencies/health/programs/vital-records/death-certificatesState Vital Records in Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Department of Health - Division of Vital Records issues certified copies of death certificates for deaths that occurred in Pennsylvania. Executors and surviving family order certified copies to close accounts, file insurance claims, and transfer titles; the office sets the fees, eligibility rules, and processing times.
Steps to take when someone dies
- •Online: Order at mycertificates.health.pa.gov ($20 + $10 processing fee)
- •By mail: Mail completed Application for Death Certificate with check/money order payable to Vital Records
- •In person: Visit one of six Vital Records Branch Offices for faster service
- •Signed Application for Death Certificate
- •Unexpired government-issued photo ID (by mail, a photocopy showing a current address); without one, two documents verifying name and current mailing address
- •Applicants 18 or older
State Vital Records in Pennsylvania: key facts
What Pennsylvania says9
- Administering office
Pennsylvania Department of Health - Division of Vital Records.1
- Office location and hours
Public offices: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., closed holidays (Philadelphia by appointment only). Phone: Monday-Friday 7:15 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Saturday-Sunday 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m..1
- Mail orders
Division of Vital Records, Death Certificate Processing Unit, PO Box 1528, New Castle, PA 16103.1
- Certificate fee
$20 for the first certified copy; $20 for each additional copy ordered at the same time.1
- Processing time
Approximately 3 weeks (online or mail).1
- Who may order
Spouse; Parent or step-parent (step-parent provides the marriage certificate); Sibling or half-sibling; Child or step-child (step-child provides the parent's marriage certificate); Grandparent or great-grandparent; Grandchild or great-grandchild.1
Other family members, including ex-spouses, with documentation of direct interest; Attorney or legal representative of the estate (with additional documents); Executor or administrator of the estate (with additional documents); Individual with direct financial interest (with additional documents).1
- Filing deadline
The death certificate must be filed within 4 days.2
- Public record
Death records become public 50 years after the death.1
- Records available from
1906.1
Governing law: 35 P.S. § 450.504
Sources2
- 1.Pennsylvania Department of Health - Division of Vital Records
- 2.Pennsylvania death-certificate filing rule (35 P.S. § 450.504; 35 P.S. § 450.501; 35 P.S. § 450.505; 49 Pa. Code § 13.201; 49 Pa. Code § 13.184; 28 Pa. Code § 1.21; 28 Pa. Code § 1.22; 28 Pa. Code § 1.23; 28 Pa. Code § 1.24; 9 Pa.C.S. § 101; 8 Pa.C.S. § 2800.1)
Pennsylvania vital records offices
Pennsylvania Department of Health - Division of Vital Records
Phone
Hours
Mailing address
Website
Tools for Settling an Estate in Pennsylvania
Free tools for settling an estate in Pennsylvania: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines, and inheritance taxes.
How Many Death Certificates Do I Need?
In Pennsylvania, certified death certificates come from the Pennsylvania Department of Health - Division of Vital RecordsPennsylvania Department of Health - Division of Vital RecordsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source; the first copy costs $20Pennsylvania Department of Health - Division of Vital RecordsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source.
How Do I Settle an Estate?
Settling an estate in Pennsylvania: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 270 days20 Pa.C.S. §§ 3301-3303Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 12 months20 Pa.C.S. §§ 3162, 3381-3392, 3532Verified Oct 19, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 6 months to 9 months.
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