Pennsylvania Death Certificate

Qualifications

The following people may request death certificates from the state of Pennsylvania:

• Immediate family member
• Extended family member who indicates a direct relationship to the deceased
• Legal representative of deceased's estate

Cost

The fee to search for a death certificate is $9.00, which includes one certified copy of the death certificate. Each additional copy of the record ordered at the same time is also $9.00. This fee may be waived for individuals who served or are currently serving in the Armed Forces, their current spouses, or dependent children. Checks or money orders should be made payable to "Vital Records." Cash is not accepted. Fees are not refundable.

Required Information

• Your name
• Your relationship to the deceased
• Your address
• Your phone number
• Your email address
• Intended use of certified copy
• Name of the deceased
• Sex
• Date of death
• Place of death
• Social security number
• Age at death
• Date of birth
• Mother's maiden name
• Father's name
• Funeral director
• Photocopy of current, government-issued photo ID

If you served or are currently serving in the Armed Forces or are the legal spouse or dependent child of someone who is a member of the Armed Forces, you will also have to provide the following information:

• Armed Forces member's name
• Service number
• Your relationship to Armed Forces member
• Rank and branch of service

Submitting Your Request

By Mail:
Send the completed application, the appropriate fee, and a self-addressed stamped envelope to:

Division of Vital Records
Attn: Death Unit
101 South Mercer Street
P.O. Box 1528
New Castle, PA 16103

In Person:
There are six locations where you may request a certified death certificate in person:

Erie Public Office
Division of Vital Records
1910 West 26th Street
Erie, PA 16508-1148

The office is open from 8:00 am until 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday, excluding State holidays. The Erie office only maintains death certificates for the county of Erie from 2002 to the present. Requests for other death certificates will be forwarded to the central office in New Castle, Pennsylvania for processing. For same-day service, orders must be placed by 1:30 pm.

Harrisburg Public Office
Forum Place
555 Walnut Street, 1st Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17101-1914

The office is open from 8:00 am until 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday, excluding State holidays. Death certificate applications may be filed with the Harrisburg Public Office; however, the death certificate(s) will be mailed from the central office in New Castle, Pennsylvania. For same-day service, orders must be placed by 1:30 pm.

New Castle Public Office
Division of Vital Records
Room 401 Central Building
101 South Mercer Street
New Castle, PA 16101

The office is open from 8:00 am until 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, excluding State holidays. For same-day service, orders must be placed by 2:00 pm.

Philadelphia Public Office
Division of Vital Records
110 North 8th Street, Suite 108
Philadelphia, PA 19107-2412

The office is open from 8:00 am until 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday, excluding State holidays. The Philadelphia office only maintains death certificates for the city of Philadelphia from 2002 to the present. Requests for other death certificates will be forwarded to the central office in New Castle, Pennsylvania for processing. For same-day service, orders must be placed by 1:30 pm.

Pittsburgh Public Office
Division of Vital Records
411 7th Avenue, Suite 360
Pittsburgh, PA 15219-1973

The office is open from 8:00 am until 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday, excluding State holidays. The Pittsburgh office only maintains death certificates for the city of Pittsburgh from 2002 to the present. Requests for other death certificates will be forwarded to the central office in New Castle, Pennsylvania for processing. For same-day service, orders must be placed by 1:30 pm.

Scranton Public Office
Division of Vital Records
Room 112, Scranton State Office Building
100 Lackawanna Avenue
Scranton, PA 18503-1928

The office is open from 8:00 am until 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday, excluding State holidays. The Scranton office only maintains death certificates for the county of Lackawanna from 2002 to the present. Requests for other death certificates will be forwarded to the central office in New Castle, Pennsylvania for processing. For same-day service, orders must be placed by 1:30 pm.

Download the Application

Click here to download the application for a certified Pennsylvania death certificate.

See our complete list of resources for Pennsylvania.