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How can I get a copy of a birth or death certificate?

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How can I get a copy of a birth or death certificate?
You may request a copy of a birth or death certificate in person, online, or by mail, but not by telephone.
The Division of Vital Records (724) 656-3100/(844) 228-3516, 7:15 am - 10 pm by telephone, M - F
or visit in person at 110 N. 8th St., Philadelphia, PA 19107, 9 am - 12 pm Office hours, Monday - Friday
Order certificates online at https://mycertificates.health.pa.gov/pastorefront/customer/pa/paHome.xhtml
Ask a question online at https://apps.health.pa.gov/dohforms/ContactUsBirthAndDeath.aspx
Order by mail at: Division of Vital Records, Birth Certificate Processing Unit, PO Box 1528, New Castle, PA 16103. The mail-in application pdf is attached below and available here.

You Should Know:
  • An applicant must be eighteen (18) years of age or older to apply for a certified copy of his/her birth and/or death record or the record of an immediate family member.
  • You must present valid government-issued photo identification i.e., state-issued driver's license or non-driver photo ID with the requestor's current address, etc.
  • Payment for walk-in services is by check or money order only- $20 per certified copy of birth and $20 per certified copy of death. For online or mail orders, you must add a $10 service fee and postage fees. Check here.
  • Active duty and Honorably Discharged Veterans can waive the cost of the certificates (not the service fees or postage fees)
  • Birth Certificates can be obtained quickest in person. When you go, they will give you the exact day to come back once you complete your application submission.
  • For more info on processing times, see https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/certificates/Pages/Processing-Times.aspx.
  • For a birth certificate with both parent's names, you must request a "long form'" certificate. Without asking, they will give you a short form.
Further Information:
For Birth Certificates, 1906-1911, and Death Certificates, 1906-1966 please visit the PA State Archives.
The Philadelphia City Archives has birth and death certificates from July 1, 1860, through June 30, 1915. 

For additional information visit www.health.pa.gov/topics/certificates/Pages/Vital%20Records.aspx: 
TitleHow can I get a copy of a birth or death certificate?
URL NameHow-can-I-get-a-copy-of-a-birth-or-death-certificate-1416908488809

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