Pennsylvania Vital Records: The 2025 Guide
Complete information for requesting certified vital records in Pennsylvania — office address, current fees, processing times, form numbers, county office shortcuts, and eligibility rules for birth certificates, death certificates, marriage records, and divorce decrees.
Pennsylvania Vital Records Office
Pennsylvania Vital Records — Contact Information
Mailing address: P.O. Box 1528, New Castle, PA 16103
Phone: 724-656-3100
Website: health.pa.gov
Birth cert fee: $20 per copy | Death cert fee: $20 per copy
Standard mail processing: 6–10 wks
Birth cert request form: No universal form — request by mail or online
Death cert request form: No universal form
Birth Certificates in Pennsylvania
Certified birth certificates in Pennsylvania cost $20 per copy. Philadelphia County births and deaths are handled by the Philadelphia Department of Public Health Vital Statistics at 321 University Ave., Philadelphia — a completely separate office from the state Division of Vital Records in New Castle. Call 215-685-6300 for Philadelphia records.
The standard request process: download the official request form from health.pa.gov, complete it with full birth information (name at birth, date, county of birth, parents' full names including mother's maiden name), attach a photocopy of your government-issued photo ID, include payment of $20 per copy, and mail to the address above.
Faster option: Pennsylvania marriage licenses are issued by the County Court of Common Pleas (specifically the Orphans Court or Marriage License Bureau) in the county where the license was applied for.
For the complete step-by-step birth certificate request process, eligibility rules, and what to do when a record is missing or contains an error, see our complete birth certificate guide.
Death Certificates in Pennsylvania
Death certificates in Pennsylvania cost $20 per certified copy. The same vital records office handles death certificate requests.
For estates, order at least 10–15 certified copies when the funeral home files — each bank, insurance company, and government agency requires its own certified original copy. Re-ordering later means another 6–10 wks wait. Use our estate copy calculator to get an exact count for your situation.
For urgent needs — death just occurred, funeral coordination — the county-level office is typically faster for in-person requests. See our guide on getting a death certificate before the funeral.
Marriage Records in Pennsylvania
Marriage licenses in Pennsylvania are issued at the county level by the County Clerk of Orphans Court. Certified copies of the marriage certificate are available from that county office. If you don't know which county the license was issued in, the Pennsylvania state vital records office can search the statewide marriage index and identify the county.
See our complete marriage certificate guide for the full request process, including how to get records from years or decades ago.
Divorce Decrees in Pennsylvania
Divorce decrees are court documents — not vital records — held by the clerk of the county court where the divorce was filed. The Pennsylvania vital records office maintains a divorce index but does not hold the full decree. Contact the county court clerk directly to request a certified copy of the final divorce decree.
See our complete divorce decree guide for county court contact procedures and what to do when the record is hard to locate.
Out-of-State Requests
If you live outside Pennsylvania but need Pennsylvania vital records, the process is identical — submit your request by mail or online to the address above. Processing times are the same regardless of where you currently live. See our out-of-state records guide for tips on remote requests.
Public Access Rules
In Pennsylvania, birth records become publicly accessible (available to anyone without demonstrating a relationship) after 75 years from the birth year. Death records become publicly accessible after 25 years. Within those windows, only eligible requestors — immediate family, legal representatives, and authorized parties — may obtain certified copies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in many cases — by going in person to a county-level office rather than mailing to the state office. Many county health departments, county clerks, and registrars process walk-in vital records requests the same day. Call ahead to confirm current hours and whether walk-in service is available without an appointment.
Most states offer an expedited processing option for an additional fee — typically $5–$15 extra. Mark your request clearly as "EXPEDITED" and include the additional payment. For truly urgent needs, in-person at the county office is almost always faster than any expedited mail option. Contact the Pennsylvania vital records office at 724-656-3100 for current expedited options and fees.
Contact the Pennsylvania vital records office to request the amendment form. Minor clerical errors are typically corrected administratively with supporting documentation. More significant changes may require a court order. Amendment fees are separate from the copy fee. See our birth certificate correction guide for the general amendment process.
Some states charge less for additional copies ordered simultaneously in the same transaction. Check with the Pennsylvania vital records office at 724-656-3100 to confirm their current pricing for multiple copies. Even if the per-copy price is the same, ordering all copies you'll need upfront is always more efficient than re-ordering — it avoids a second 6–10 wks wait.