When you need to apostille a Pennsylvania death certificate, you will need to make sure to have a certified copy of the vital record beforehand. If you need to order one, your best bet is to go through the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Here's what their website says about obtaining one:
Ordering a Death Certificate
A death certificate is an official legal document that includes information from a person's death record. In Pennsylvania, a death certificate is printed on specialized security paper that contains a raised seal. This document is frequently used for closing financial accounts, settling estates, claiming life insurance and pension beneficiary benefits, cancelling accounts or re-establishing the account holder contact with utility companies, and serving as documentation for a widow/widower to remarry.
Our office only issues death certificates for deaths that occurred in Pennsylvania since 1906.
You will receive a certified "No Record Certification of Death" if you request a certificate and we cannot identify or find a record using the information you provided. Therefore, please provide as much information as possible to assist us in locating the requested death record.
For death certificates from other states: If you need a certificate for someone that died in another state, see the National Center for Health StatisticsOpensIn A New WindowOpens In A New Window' website for contact information.
For online services: You may order a death certificate online (24 hours/day, 7 days/week) from Pennsylvania's only authorized vendor at mycertificates.health.pa.gov. In addition to the standard death certificate fee of $20, a $10 processing fee also applies. Payment is by credit card. Select First Class Mail® or UPS as your shipping option.
Please note that the Department of Health processes requests for all orders. Online service providers collect your order and submit it to our office for processing. VitalChek is the only authorized vendor who collects orders on our behalf. All other online service providers convert your orders to a paper application. Therefore, expect a delay in service if you use an online service provider other than VitalChek.
If you ordered through another online vendor and have experienced a problem in obtaining the certificate, you will need to contact that vendor directly for resolution. If you believe a vendor provides inaccurate information about our services or fees, you may contact the consumer protection office in the Pennsylvania Attorney General's office or the consumer protection agency in the state where you reside or the state where the vendor is located for further assistance.
For in-person services: Please see our Public Office page for limited in-person services now available. Due to social distancing requirements associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, all in-person services are by appointment only.
For mail services: You may complete an Application for Death Certificate and mail it to the address listed below. All certificates are mailed using First Class Mail®. If you require expedited shipping, please apply online and select "UPS" as your shipping option.
Division of Vital Records Death Certificate Processing Unit PO Box 1528 New Castle, PA 16103
You must complete the following requirements to receive a death certificate.
You must complete an Application for Death Certificate.
You must show valid identification.
You must sign your application.
You must be an eligible applicant. Eligible applicants must be 18 years of age or older, and include the following:
Spouse
Ex-spouse. An ex-spouse must provide documentation to establish direct interest.
Parent or step-parent. A step-parent must also submit a marriage certificate to support the relationship to the person named on the death certificate.
Brother, sister, half-brother, half-sister
Son or daughter
Step-son or step-daughter (must submit the parent's marriage certificate to support the relationship)
Grandparent or great-grandparent
Grandchild or great-grandchild
Power of Attorney
Attorney or legal representative of the decedent's estate (must provide supporting documentation)
Representative of the decedent's estate (must provide documentation to establish direct interest)
Individual showing a direct financial interest to the decedent (must provide documentation to support direct interest)
Government office that has assumed administration of an estate (must provide a letter signed by an official of the government office indicating the purpose for which the applicant is being retained and identifying the estate involved).
Extended family members who indicate a direct relationship to the decedent (documentation may be required).
You must pay a fee of $20 for each death certificate ordered unless you meet the fee waiver requirements for members of the U.S. Armed Forces. If ordering online, you must also pay a $10 service fee and applicable delivery fees if selecting UPS overnight shipping.
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.
Processing times are based upon application receipt date and do not include delivery time. It may take longer if we need to resolve application issues, for genealogical requests, or if your application involves a subpoena, court order, or power of attorney. Requests for changes to a death record may also require additional processing.
The cost for a death certificate is $20 each regardless of the quantity that you order. This fee is established in accordance with Pennsylvania's Administrative Code of 1929. Payment is deposited upon receipt of your application and is not refundable.
If ordering online, you must also pay a $10 service fee and applicable delivery fees if selecting UPS overnight shipping. Fees are non-refundable. Payment may be made by credit card if ordering online or by telephone. If applying by mail, please submit payment in the form of a check or money order made payable to "VITAL RECORDS". Cash is not accepted.
To qualify for the fee waiver for members of the U.S. Armed Forces, you or your spouse (includes widow/widower if not remarried) must be in active service or was honorably discharged from service. The fee is only waived if you are applying for your spouse's death certificate, if you are applying on behalf of a dependent child of the decedent, or if you are the representative of the decedent's estate (supporting documentation will be required). The funeral home responsible for filing the death record may also apply if the decedent's death record indicates that he/she was a veteran or if the spouse of the decedent is a member of the U.S. Armed Forces. This fee waiver only covers the cost of the death certificate and does not apply to online service fees or UPS delivery fees.
Where can I get more information?
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.
Pennsylvania Death Certificate Apostille There is no margin for error with the Authentication or Apostille process. If mistakes are made, both your time and money will be wasted and you'll have to start all over again. If you want to look into outsourcing this part of preparing to studying abroad to someone with experience, please email me at jared@apostillellc.com or call 848-467-7740 to request my services or learn more.
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