Where can I obtain a birth certificate in Pennsylvania?

by Ben Webb on October 31st, 2009

Great Answer

Professionally Researched. (What's this?)

Obtaining a Pennsylvania Birth Certificate may be done by mail or in person at one of six field offices with a copy of PA Form HD1105F (Application for Certified Copy of Birth Record). Online requests are also an option (See Reference 2). Mailed and in-person requests cost $10. Online requests require an additional $8 service charge.

In-person Requests

In-person requests can be made at any one of the following six public office locations:

1. Erie:
Division of Vital Records
1910 West 26th Street
 Erie, PA
16508-1148
(814) 871-4261

2. Harrisburg:
Division of Vital Records
Room 129, Health & Welfare Building
625 Forster Street Harrisburg, PA
17120-0012
(717) 772-3480

3. New Castle:
Division of Vital Records
Room 401, Central Building
101 South Mercer Street New Castle, PA
16101
1-877-PA-HEALTH or (724) 656-3100

4. Philadelphia:
Division of Vital Records
110 North 8th Street, Suite 108
Philadelphia, PA
19107-2412
(215) 560-3054

5. Pittsburgh:
Division of Vital Records
Room 512, Pittsburgh State Office Building 300 Liberty Avenue , Pittsburgh, PA 15222-1210
(412) 565-5113

6. Scranton:
Division of Vital Records
 Room 112, Scranton State Office Building
 100 Lackawanna Avenue Scranton, PA
18503-1928
(570) 963-4595

Birth certificate request may also be made online or by mail (See below).

Requests Made Online or by Mail

Online requests may be made by going to the Pennsylvania Department of Health's website for online applications (See Reference 2). Online requests are not available for genealogy purposes, or if the reason for the request or the applicant's relationship to the individual on the request does not appear on the online drop-down menu.
To request records by mail, the Application for Certified Copy of Birth Record (PA form HD1105F) may be sent to:
Division of Vital Records
101 South Mercer Street, Room 401
PO Box 1528
New Castle, PA 16101

A legible copy of the applicant's valid government issue identification must be submitted with the application in order for it to be processed.

Who May Request a Birth Certificate

To obtain a birth certificate, the applicant must be the person named on the record, a legal representative of the person or immediate family. Immediate family includes husband, wife, parent/step-parent; brother/sister/half brother/half sister; son or daughter; stepson/stepdaughter; grandparent/great grandparent; or grandchild/great grandchild.
If the person is deceased, a non-immediate family member may request a birth certificate by providing a copy of the death certificate. A step-parent or step-child must submit documentation to verify the relationship.

Requirements for a Power of Attorney

If a Power of Attorney was granted, the document must be notarized by a notary public of the State of Pennsylvania, and must carry the pressed-in seal of the notary. All signatures on the Power of Attorney must be original signatures.

Information required on the Application for Certified Copy of Birth Record (PA Form HD1105F)

Full name at birth of person on record. If their name has been changed, that name must be included on application.
Date of Birth.
City and county of birth.
Parent's names, including mother's maiden name.
Relationship of applicant to person on record.
Reason for the request.
Applicant signature, daytime telephone number, and mailing address.

Fees

For records from 1906 to current:
There is a $10 fee (check or money order, only) for in-person or mailed requests. Online requests are also $10, with an additional $8 service charge per transaction. Fees for requests may be waived for prior or current military members or their dependents.

For records prior to 1906, or unknown birth or death dates:
If the birth or death year is unknown, the applicant may request a multi-year records search for two to ten years at the cost of $35. Each additional search span of two to ten years is $25.