Are death certificates public record in Pennsylvania?
Are Pennsylvania Death Records Open to the Public? Yes. As per public record laws, certified Pennsylvania death records are not available to public requesters. However, researchers may access informational copies of death records for genealogical research.
How do I find death records in pa?
If you have questions about Pennsylvania death certificates, contact the Division of Vital Records using one of the following methods:
- Online contact form – Allow two to three business days for a response.
- Call 724-656-3100 or toll-free at 844-228-3516, Mondays through Fridays 7:15 am to 10:00 pm.
How long does it take to get a death certificate in Pennsylvania?

four to six weeks
Certified copies are $20.00 each and only available locally up until 90 days from the date of death. After 90 days the certificate is filed with the state of Pennsylvania and certified copies may take four to six weeks to obtain.
How many death certificates do I need in Pennsylvania?
We recommend requesting five to ten copies of your loved one’s death certificate. When completing your request for a certified death certificate in Pennsylvania, make sure to get additional copies. This also ensures that the copies are legitimate and will be accepted by the agencies that need them.
How do I find out what time I was born?
Your birth certificate is usually your best bet. If you don’t have it, you could try the hospital where you were born. If they do not have a copy, then you can contact the county, and then the state you were born in. Multiple copies of your birth certificate were sent out to different places to register your birth.

Does ancestry com have birth certificates?
Birth certificates are one of the cornerstones of family history research. Together with other vital records, they can help paint a rich picture of your family story. Start making new discoveries about your past with a search of Birth, Marriage, and Death records on Ancestry today.
How long does it take to get a short certificate in PA?
Short Certificate requests are filled via U.S. mail. Please allow us 10-14 days for processing all requests, after which time your request will be mailed to you.
How do I amend a death certificate in PA?
The recommended method to submit a death amendment form to BHSR is by fax at 717-265-7371. Once BHSR accepts the amendment request, they will enter the amendment into EDRS, which is the official repository for all death records filed in Pennsylvania.
How do you obtain a copy of a death certificate?
You must complete an Application for Death Certificate.
How do we obtain a death certificate?
– Search Death records online – Order Death records online – Vital Records Information – where and how to obtain copies of death records – Amazon Genealogy Bookstore – Death Records – Amazon Genealogy Bookstore – Probate Records – Cyndi’s List – Obituaries – Cyndi’s List – Wills & Probate – Cemeteries and Funeral Home Links
How to obtain a death certificate?
The state already has a public records exemption to shield information about people such as executioners and the prescribers of drugs for lethal injections. The proposal would broaden that to cover people or entities involved in any step in the execution process.
How do you file a death certificate?
– Decedent’s spouse or parent; – Decedent’s child, grandchild or sibling, if of legal age; – Any person who provides a will, insurance policy or other document that demonstrates his or her interest in the estate; – Any person who provides documentation that he or she is acting on behalf of any of the above-named persons; – By Court Order
How do I get a certified copy of a death certificate in Pennsylvania?
If you need a death certificate quickly, make your request in person at one of our six Vital Records Branch Offices or online at mycertificates.health.pa.gov. See our Processing Times for current processing times for applications placed online, by telephone or by mail.