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Pennsylvania - How to obtain a Birth Certificate

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ProcedureEdit

In Person

You may go with complete application form, required fees and documents to the following nearest locations Erie, Harrisburg, New Castle, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Scranton.

By Mail
  • Download and completely fill out request form
  • Make checks and/or money order payable to " Vital Records Service " and photocopy of valid photo ID
  • Provide a self-addressed stamped envelope. Print or type your name and address on the envelope using all caps.
  • Mail completed request form to:
Division of Vital Records
ATTN: Birth Unit
101 South Mercer Street
Central Building, Room 401
P.O. Box 1528
New Castle, PA 16103
Apply Online (VitalChek)
  • It's the easiest and most efficient method for ordering official birth certificates and other vital records because there is less room for error when you enter the information yourself. Our simple forms have built-in editing features to help ensure the accuracy of your order.

Order official, certified birth certificates from Pennsylvania Vital Records online quickly and securely

  • VitalChek is an official service, authorized by Pennsylvania Vital Records, to securely order certified Pennsylvania vital records, like birth and death certificates. Other online services may not be authorized by Pennsylvania Vital Records, and may charge additional fees without providing approved services or guaranteeing confidentiality of your data.
  • As a government-approved organization for 25 years, VitalChek safely delivers millions of vital records every year and is Americas No.1 resource for ordering certified vital records across the nation. VitalChek makes purchasing your familys most important documents, such as Pennsylvania birth certificates, simple, fast and secure:
    • Simple step-by-step ordering with easy to use editing features to help ensure the accuracy of your order.
    • Fast online ordering, processing & delivery options to help get your certificate as quickly as possible.
    • Secure ordering processes that are designed to help protect your identity online.
  • VitalChek offers the convenience of ordering Pennsylvania birth certificates for yourself or your family from the privacy of your home or office, 24-hours a day, 7 days a week, with no hidden fees or unexplained charges. No traffic, no standing in line, no parking, no hassles.



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Required DocumentsEdit

  • Valid government issued photo ID that verifies name and mailing address as listed in Part 2 in application form
  • State issued drivers license or non-driver photo ID (if address has been changed, include copy of update card).
  • If you do not have acceptable photo identification, an eligible requestor possessing government issued photo ID may apply. If an eligible requestor is unable to apply, you may submit a completed Statement from Requestors Not Possessing Acceptable Government-Issued Photo ID with two documents verifying your current address.



Office Locations & ContactsEdit

In person
  • Erie Public Office
Division of Vital Records
1910 West 26th Street
Erie, PA 16508-1148
(814) 871-4261
Office hours 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Monday through Friday, excluding State holidays.
  • Harrisburg Public Office
Division of Vital Records
Forum Place
555 Walnut Street, First Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17101-1914
(717) 772-3480
Office hours 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Monday through Friday, excluding State holidays
  • New Castle Public Office
Division of Vital Records
Room 401 Central Building
101 South Mercer Street
New Castle, PA 16101
1-877-PA-HEALTH or (724) 656-3100
Office hours 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Monday through Friday, excluding State holidays
  • Philadelphia Public Office
Division of Vital Records
110 North 8 th Street; Suite 108
Philadelphia, PA 19107-2412
(215) 560-3054
Office hours 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Monday through Friday, excluding State holidays
  • Pittsburgh Public Office
Division of Vital Records
411 7th Avenue, Suite 360
Pittsburgh, PA 15219-1973
(412) 565-5113
Office hours 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Monday through Friday, excluding State holidays
  • Scranton Public Office
Division of Vital Records
Room 112, Scranton State Office Building
100 Lackawanna Avenuee
Scranton, PA 18503-1928
(570) 963-4595
Office hours 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Monday through Friday, excluding State holidays
By mail
Division of Vital Records
ATTN: Birth Unit
101 South Mercer Street
Central Building, Room 401
P.O. Box 1528
New Castle, PA 16103


Certificates may also be obtained from your local county. Use the contact information below to inquire.

Adams County : 117 Baltimore St. Gettysburg, PA 17325-2391
Phone: 717-334-6781 Fax: 717-334-2091 Website

Allegheny County : 436 Grant St/ Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Website

Armstrong County : 450 Market St. Kittanning, PA 16201
Phone: 724-543-2500 Website

Beaver County : 810 Third Street Beaver, PA 15009
Website

Bedford County : 200 S Juliana St. Bedford, Pennsylvania 15522-1714
Phone: 814-623-4812 Website

Berks County : 633 Court Street Reading, PA 19601
Website

Blair County : 423 Allegheny St. Hollidaysburg, PA 16648-2022
Phone: 814-693-3000 Website

Bradford County : Recorder's Office 301 Main St. Towanda, PA 18848
Phone: 570-265-1702 / Fax: 570-265-1721 Website

Bucks County : 55 East Court Street Doylestown, PA 18901
Phone: (Toll Free) 1-888-942-8257 (All other callers) 215-348-6000 Website

Butler County : 124 W. Diamond St. Butler, PA 16001
Phone: 724-285-4731 / 724-284-5473 (TDD) Website

Cambria County : 200 South Center Street Ebensburg, PA 15931
Phone: 814-472-5440 Website

Cameron County : 20 E. Fifth St. Emporium, PA 15834
Phone: 814-486-2315 Website

Carbon County : 4 Broadway Jim Thorpe, PA 18229
Website

Centre County : Centre County Courthouse Bellefonte, PA 16823
Phone: 814-355-6727 Website

Chester County : 313 W. Market St. P.O. Box 2748 West Chester, PA 19380-0991
Phone: 610-344-6000


EligibilityEdit

To order certified copies of Pennsylvania birth certificates, the eligible applicant must be eighteen (18) years of age or older. You may order a copy of your own certificate or one for an immediate family member (spouse, parent, sibling, child, grandparent or grandchild).

Legal representatives must submit additional documentation justifying their need for copies of Pennsylvania birth certificates. Therefore, legal representatives are not eligible to order birth certificates online.



FeesEdit

In Person/By Mail
  • Certified copy: $10.00
  • Additional copies (each): $10.00
Online (VitalChek)
  • Certified copy: $10.00
  • Additional copy: $10.00



ValidityEdit

Explain the time until which the certificate/document is valid.
e.g. Birth Certificate Valid Forever



Documents to UseEdit

Please attach documents which can be used by people who would like to follow this procedure.



Sample DocumentsEdit

Please attach sample completed documents which would help other people who would like to follow this procedure.



Processing TimeEdit

Mail requests are processed in approximately fourteen weeks from the date of receipt




InstructionsEdit

  • The Division of Vital Records maintains records of births that occurred from 1906 to the present.
  • Certified copies of birth certificates (with a raised seal) are issued and acceptable identifications.
  • A certified copy of a birth certificate with a raised seal that can typically be used for travel, passport, proof of citizenship, Social Security, driver's license, school registration, personal identification, employment and other legal purposes.
  • Certified copies of birth certificates are available for events that occurred within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania from 1906 to the present.
  • There are 3 ways to obtain a certified copy of a birth certificate (1) By mail, (2) By online and (3) In Person.
  • Check or money order should be made payable to Vital Records.
  • Be sure to complete all required information on the application form
  • Copies of Pennsylvania vital records may be obtained through VitalChek on an expedited basis.
  • Pennsylvania Vital Records will only ship certified copies of Pennsylvania birth certificates to the eligible applicant's verified credit card billing address (online).



Required InformationEdit

  • Full name of person at birth on the Pennsylvania birth certificate
  • Date of birth on the Pennsylvania birth certificate
  • Sex on the Pennsylvania birth certificate
  • County (or city) of birth on the Pennsylvania birth certificate
  • Hospital of birth - if not in a hospital state "home"
  • Full maiden name of mother on the Pennsylvania birth certificate
  • Full name of father on the Pennsylvania birth certificate
  • Applicant name
  • Applicant signature
  • Applicant relationship to the person whose Pennsylvania birth certificate you are requesting
  • Address where the Pennsylvania birth certificate is to be mailed
  • Self addressed stamped envelope
  • Applicant daytime phone number



Need for the DocumentEdit

You may need a birth certificate when enrolling in school, applying for a social security card or for certain legal proceedings. This can prove frustrating when you do not have a copy immediately on hand. If you want to obtain your birth certificate or if you would like to have an additional copy of your birth certificate you can obtain one with following the procedure given below.


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