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How to Obtain a Death Certificate in Pennsylvania

by Alexis Dawes

Overview

You need to obtain a death certificate in Pennsylvania. Perhaps it's for insurance purposes or to settle an estate. If you're eligible to receive Social Security payments from the deceased person (if you're a child or a spouse) you'll need the death certificate to file the appropriate paperwork. The Division of Vital Records provides death certificates going back to 1906.

Step 1

See if you're eligible. You must either be a member of the immediate family or a member of the extended family who can prove a direct relationship with the deceased. Outside of the family you must be a legal representative of the estate, or (and this is a little tricky) you must have power of attorney for a person who is eligible to receive the death certificate. In other words, if you have power of attorney over the deceased person's mother, you may request a copy of the death certificate.
Step 2

Collect the necessary information. In order to get the death certificate, you'll need the full name of the deceased, date of death, the city and county where the person died, and the reason why you want the death certificate. It would help if you also had the person's social security number, mother's maiden name and father's name and the name of the funeral director--but these are not necessities.
Step 3

Place the request. You may apply at one of the six Division of Vital Records offices in Pennsylvania. They're located in Erie, Philadelphia, Harrisburg, New Castle, Pittsburgh and Scranton. You need your driver's license or state issued ID. As of September 2009, the cost is $10 per certified copy of the death certificate. You can also apply online. As of September 2009, there is a $9 fee for each certified copy and an $8.00 service charge for the transaction.
Step 4

Wait to receive the death certificate. If you place your request online, it'll take about three to five days for it to be processed and sent. You can get it the same day if you apply in person, before 3 pm.

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Driver's license or state issued ID Cash
Driver's license or state issued ID
Cash
If the death occurred before 1906, contact the courthouse in the county where the person died. Find the county courthouse listing page on the Pennsylvania Department of Health website. (See resources section below.)
If the death occurred before 1906, contact the courthouse in the county where the person died. Find the county courthouse listing page on the Pennsylvania Department of Health website. (See resources section below.)