How do I get a copy of a death certificate?

Pennsylvania Department of Health, Division of Vital Records (state level - New Castle, PA)

Details

What you need to know

Fee

$20 per certified copy; VitalChek/online adds $10 processing fee; multi-year death record search: $45 for 10-year span + $25 per additional 10-year block

Processing Time

In-person: faster; VitalChek: online processing; mail: several weeks

Online Option

VitalChek only (mycertificates.health.pa.gov)

Where to Go

Nearest Vital Records Public Office; PA DOH by mail; VitalChek online

Pennsylvania Notes

Important state-specific details

State has death records from January 1906 to present.
Death records before 1906: PA State Archives or county resources.
PA State Archives has death certificates from 1906 to 1975 as public records; for 1975 to present, must go through Division of Vital Records.
Order multiple copies at once - estates, insurance, banks, SSA, VA each need one.

Official Source

State office contact

State Office

PA DOH Division of Vital Records - mycertificates.health.pa.gov | (724) 656-3100 | P.O. Box 1528, New Castle, PA 16103-1528