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Birth Certificates
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 for various uses, such as:
- Personal identification
- Employment
- Passport application
- Social Security
IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING RIGHT-TO-KNOW LAW: Birth certificates maintained by the Division of Vital Records are not public certificates and, therefore, cannot be released under the provisions of Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know-Law. To determine if you are eligible to apply for a certified copy, please review the following:
Who May Request a Birth Certificate?
Only certain people can request a birth certificate. You must be:
- Person named on the birth certificate, who is 18 years of age or older (if under 18, immediate family member must apply)
- Legal representative
- Husband / wife
- Parent / step-parent*
- Brother / sister / half-brother / half-sister
- Son / daughter / stepson* / stepdaughter*
- Grandparent / great grandparent (specify maternal or paternal)
- Grandchild / great grandchild
- Power of Attorney (for person named on birth certificate or immediate family member listed above)
If the person named on the birth certificate is deceased, a family member who is not an immediate family member must submit a copy of the death certificate to be eligible to receive a certified copy of the birth certificate.
*A step-parent or step-child is required to submit parents' marriage record supporting their relationship.
Cost
There is a $10 fee for each certified copy. This fee may be waived for individuals who served or are currently serving in the Armed Forces or their dependents.
How to Get a Birth Certificate
There are 3 ways to obtain a certified copy of a birth certificate. Be sure to complete all required information on the application form provided within each link:
- Order online
- Request by mail
- In person at a public office (see 6 locations below):
What if the Year of Birth is Unknown?
An applicant may request a multi year birth search.
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