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Pennsylvania · How-To Guide

How do I get a copy of a birth certificate?

Pennsylvania Department of Health, Division of Vital Records (state level - New Castle, PA) / Vital Records Public Offices in 6 cities (Erie, Harrisburg, New Castle, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Scranton)
Step by Step

How to do it

  1. Determine eligibility: Pennsylvania birth records are restricted. Eligible: the person named (if adult), parents, legal guardian, legal representative, spouse, child, grandchild, sibling, step-child (must submit proof). Others may receive a "genealogical copy" for pre-1921 births.
  2. Choose your method:
  3. ONLINE (VitalChek - PA's ONLY authorized online vendor): Order at mycertificates.health.pa.gov or through VitalChek; $20 base fee + $10 VitalChek processing fee = $30 total online; pay by credit card; delivery by mail or pickup at a Vital Records public office
  4. IN PERSON (Vital Records Public Office): 6 locations statewide: Erie, Harrisburg, New Castle, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Scranton; bring valid photo ID; same-day or expedited service available; $20/copy
  5. BY MAIL (Division of Vital Records): Complete Application for Birth Certificate (available at pa.gov/agencies/health/programs/vital-records/birth-certificates); include legible photocopy of valid government-issued photo ID (showing name and current mailing address); check or money order payable to "Vital Records"; mail to: Division of Vital Records, P.O. Box 1528, New Castle, PA 16103-1528; standard processing: several weeks
  6. Submit with valid photo ID copy and proof of qualifying relationship
  7. Pay the fee
  8. VITAL RECORDS PUBLIC OFFICE LOCATIONS (in-person):
  9. - Erie: 1910 West 26th Street, Erie, PA
  10. - Harrisburg: 625 Forster Street, Harrisburg, PA
  11. - New Castle: 101 South Mercer Street, New Castle, PA (main state office)
  12. - Philadelphia: 110 North 8th Street, Philadelphia, PA
  13. - Pittsburgh: 300 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA
  14. - Scranton: 100 Lackawanna Avenue, Scranton, PA
Details

What you need to know

Required Docs
  • Completed birth certificate application
  • Valid government-issued photo ID showing name AND current mailing address (driver's license, state ID, passport); if photo ID does not show current address, include separate proof of address
  • Proof of qualifying relationship if requesting for another person
  • Payment: check or money order (mail); credit card (online/VitalChek); cash/card at Vital Records offices
Fee
$20 per certified copy; online via VitalChek adds $10 processing fee ($30 total); no additional copies at reduced rate - each copy $20 at state office; VitalChek only authorized online vendor
Processing Time
In-person: same day or next day; VitalChek/online: faster processing; mail: several weeks
Online Option
Yes - mycertificates.health.pa.gov or VitalChek; VitalChek is THE ONLY authorized PA online vendor
Where to Go
Nearest Vital Records Public Office (fastest); PA DOH by mail (New Castle, PA); VitalChek online
Pennsylvania Notes

Important state-specific details

  • State has birth records from January 1906 to present; older birth records at PA State Archives or county courthouses where birth occurred.
  • Marriage and divorce records: NOT at PA Vital Records - contact county Register of Wills (marriage) or Court of Common Pleas (divorce).
  • Pre-1906 birth records: Pennsylvania State Archives, 350 North Street, Harrisburg, PA 17120 | (717) 783-3281.
  • VitalChek is the ONLY authorized online vendor for PA certificates - avoid unauthorized third-party services.
Official Source

State office contact

State Office
PA Department of Health, Division of Vital Records - mycertificates.health.pa.gov | (724) 656-3100 | P.O. Box 1528, New Castle, PA 16103-1528; VitalChek (authorized online): mycertificates.health.pa.gov