In Pennsylvania, death records are maintained by the Department of Health Division of Vital Records. Records of deaths which occurred from 1906 to the present are available from this Office. You can also choose to order them from a website which can access information through an online database.
Who Can Order Pennsylvania Death Records
Death records may only be ordered by the following individuals:
• Immediate family members of the deceased
• Extended family member with a direct relationship to the deceased
• Legal representative for the deceased’s estate
ID Required to Order Death Records
Requests for death records must be accompanied by a copy of government issued photo ID. If you do not have photo ID, you may wish to ask a family member who does have government issued identification to request the death record. If there is no eligible family member, the state will accept two of the following documents for identification:
• Utility bill
• Pay stub
• Bank statement
• Income tax return or W-2
• Vehicle registration
• Lease or rental agreement
Fees for PA Death Records
The cost for a certified copy of a death record in PA is $9.00. Checks or money orders can be made payable to Vital Records. The fee may be waived for active duty Armed Forces personnel or veterans.
Order Pennsylvania Death Records in Person
You can request a copy of a death record in person at six public offices in the state:
Division of Vital Records
1910 West 26th Street
Erie, PA 16508-1148
Phone: (814) 871-4261
Division of Vital Records
Forum Place
555 Walnut Street, First Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17101-1914
Phone: (717) 772-3480
Division of Vital Records
Room 401 Central Building
101 South Mercer Street
New Castle, PA 16101
Phone: 1-877-PA-HEALTH or (724) 656-3100
Division of Vital Records
110 North 8th Street; Suite 108
Philadelphia, PA 19107-2412
Phone: (215) 560-3054
Division of Vital Records
411 7th Avenue, Suite 360
Pittsburgh, PA 15219-1973
Phone: (412) 565-5113
Division of Vital Records
Room 112, Scranton State Office Building
100 Lackawanna Avenue
Scranton, PA 18503-1928
Phone: (570) 963-4595
Order Pennsylvania Death Records by Mail
Requests for death records should be sent to:
Division of Vital Records (Attn: Death Unit)
101 South Mercer Street
P.O. Box 1528
New Castle, PA 16103
A stamped, self-addressed envelope should be included with the order, along with a copy of your photo ID and the required fee.
Order PA Death Records Online
Online orders are not processed by the state directly, but by looked after by an independent third-party. An extra fee is charged above the standard amount charged for a death record.
Orders received online are shipped by UPS Air unless you specifically request.regular mail be used. The fee for UPS air is added to the order and normal processing time is between seven and 10 business days. If you choose to change your shipping option to regular mail delivery, the processing time is between 15 and 20 business days.