Where to Request a Death Certificate in Pennsylvania

You can request a death certificate from the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Division of Vital Records in Harrisburg. This is the state office that holds all death records filed in Pennsylvania. You can order by mail, phone, or in person at their office on the first floor of the Health and Welfare Building, 625 Forster Street, Harrisburg, PA 17120.

If the death occurred in Philadelphia, you must request the certificate from the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, Vital Records Section instead, because Philadelphia maintains its own records separately from the state system. Their office is at 321 University Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19104.

For deaths that happened more than 50 years ago, some county courthouses also keep copies on file. This can be useful if you need a certificate quickly and live near the county where the death was recorded, though the state office remains the official source.

Key Takeaways

  • The Pennsylvania Department of Health in Harrisburg issues death certificates for all deaths in the state except Philadelphia, which has its own vital records office.
  • You can order by mail, phone at 717-787-3701, or in person; mail orders typically arrive in two to three weeks.
  • You will need the full name of the deceased, date of death, and the county where the death occurred.
  • Each certified copy costs $20 and requires payment by check, money order, or credit card; uncertified copies cost $5.
  • You do not need to prove a relationship to the deceased to order a death certificate in Pennsylvania — anyone can request one.

What Information You Need Before You Order

Gather the deceased person's full legal name, the date of death, and the county where the death was recorded. If you do not know the exact date, provide the month and year, and the office will search a wider range. The county is important because Pennsylvania's vital records system is organized by county of death, not by the person's residence.

If the person died in a hospital or nursing home, that facility's records will show the county where the death was officially recorded — it is not always the county where the facility is located. If you are unsure, call the state office at 717-787-3701 and give them the information you have; staff can help you narrow it down.

How to Order by Mail

Send a written request to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Division of Vital Records, P.O. Box 1528, New Castle, PA 16103. Include the full name of the deceased, date of death, county of death, the number of certified copies you want, and your full name and mailing address. Write a check or money order for $20 per certified copy (or $5 per uncertified copy) payable to "Pennsylvania Department of Health."

Mail orders typically arrive in two to three weeks. If you need the certificate sooner, use phone or in-person ordering instead. Include a phone number on your request so the office can contact you if there is a problem locating the record.

How to Order by Phone or In Person

Call 717-787-3701 during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern Time. Have the deceased person's full name, date of death, and county ready. You can pay by credit card over the phone, and the office will mail the certificate to you. Phone orders also take two to three weeks for delivery.

If you visit in person at 625 Forster Street in Harrisburg, you can often receive a certified copy the same day or within a few days. Bring a photo ID and payment by check, money order, or credit card. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and is closed on state holidays.

Certified Versus Uncertified Copies

A certified copy bears the state seal and the registrar's signature, and most institutions — banks, insurance companies, courts, and government agencies — will accept only this version. Certified copies cost $20 each. An uncertified copy is a plain photocopy without the seal and costs $5, but it is rarely accepted for official purposes.

Order certified copies unless you have a specific reason to order uncertified ones. Most people need between one and five certified copies to handle estate matters, insurance claims, and name changes. You can order additional copies later if you run out, so there is no penalty for ordering fewer than you think you might need.

Special Situations and Delays

If the death was very recent — within the past few weeks — the record may not yet be filed with the state office. Deaths must be registered with the county within a set timeframe, and then the county sends the record to the state. If you cannot locate the record, contact the county coroner's office or the funeral home that handled the arrangements; they can tell you the status of the filing.

If the person died in Pennsylvania but was not a Pennsylvania resident, the record is still filed in the county where the death occurred. If you are searching for a record and the person moved around, call the state office and describe what you know; they can help you identify the correct county.

Records for deaths that occurred before 1906 are incomplete in Pennsylvania's system. If you need a very old death certificate, contact the county courthouse in the county where the death occurred, or check with a genealogy library or historical society in that county.

What Happens After You Receive the Certificate

Once you have the certified copy, you will use it to notify banks, insurance companies, Social Security, and other institutions of the death. Keep the original in a safe place and use copies for each institution. Most places will accept a photocopy of the certified copy, though some may request the original to verify the seal.

If you need to change the name on property, update a will, or settle an estate, you will likely need to show the death certificate to a lawyer or the probate court. Keep at least one certified copy for your records even after you have settled the estate, as you may need it years later for genealogy, insurance, or other purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone else order a death certificate for me?

Yes. Pennsylvania does not restrict who can order a death certificate — you do not need to be a family member or have any relationship to the deceased. Anyone can request one by mail, phone, or in person. If ordering by mail, the person requesting it should sign the request and include their own name and address.

What if I need the certificate in less than two weeks?

Visit the office in person at 625 Forster Street in Harrisburg if you can. Same-day or next-day service is often possible for in-person requests. If you cannot travel to Harrisburg, call 717-787-3701 and ask whether expedited mail service is available; the office sometimes offers this for an additional fee, though it is not may provide.

Do I need to order from Philadelphia if the death happened there?

Yes. Philadelphia maintains its own vital records office separate from the state system. Contact the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, Vital Records Section, at 321 University Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19104, or call 215-685-7413. The process and fees are similar to the state office.

What if the name on the death certificate is spelled wrong or has other errors?

Contact the Pennsylvania Department of Health to request a correction. You will need to provide documentation of the correct information — usually a birth certificate, marriage certificate, or other official record. The office will guide you through the correction process, which can take several weeks.

How much does a death certificate cost?

A certified copy costs $20. An uncertified copy costs $5. These are one-time fees per copy; there are no additional charges for processing or handling. Payment must be by check, money order, or credit card.