Birth certificates are essential identifying records, also used to obtain other forms of ID, social benefits, like a Social Security Card, and even to enroll in school.
If you have lost your birth certificate, if it’s damaged or destroyed, you will need to replace it. If you just had a baby, it is also essential to obtain a birth certificate for your newborn as soon as possible.
Obtaining a birth certificate online is easy, you will need to complete the form for the state where the birth occurred, pay the processing fees, and depending on the state, provide ID to prove you are who you say you are.
List of documents you need to request a birth certificate
Birth certificates are maintained at a state and county level. Each state has their form to complete with basic information about the person whose certificate you are requesting. You will be required to provide the following data:
- The full name of the person on record
- Date of birth
- Place of birth (city, county, or hospital)
- Gender
- Parents’ full names (and in some states), their marital status at the time of your birth.
You will also need to provide the reason for requesting the certificate, for instance, to renew your passport or driver’s license, claiming a pension or insurance benefits; this will help state officials determine whether you need a long or short version of the birth certificate.
The last step is to provide your contact details such as email, phone number, and address. Some states do not deliver to P.O. Boxes, and in other the billing and shipping address must be the same.
Once you complete the form you are required to pay the processing fees using a credit card, or when sending via mail, by check or money order.
Additional requirements to obtain a Birth Certificate
When ordering a birth certificate, you must also provide your relationship with the person on record. In some states, the records are sealed, and only direct family members may request a certified copy of the birth certificate.
If you are not an immediate family member but have a proven tangible interest, then you will be required to provide further documents, like court orders or affidavits, to legitimize your claim. In some states depending on the relationship you have with the person on record, you may be required to provide further information, for example, in Colorado, if you are requesting one of your parents’ birth certificate, you must provide your own along with the application.
If you are a legal guardian you must provide the corresponding documentation, or if you have appointed rights as power of attorney or an executor of the registrant’s estate, you must include a copy of a Power of Attorney (PoA), or supporting documentation identifying you as executor. The POA is always required in case the individual object of the birth certificate, or the eligible family member is unable is unable to apply for a birth certificate,
Documents needed to prove your identity
When submitting your application to request a certified copy of your birth certificate, you are required to prove your identity. In most cases, you will be required to provide a copy of your photo ID, i.e., passport, driver’s license or state photo ID.
Most states offer lists of alternative forms of identification should a valid form of photo ID not be available, like work ID, utility bill, school ID, or property tax bill. Usually, in these cases, you will be required to provide copies of two, or three, alternative documents to prove your identity.
In other states, like California, you are required to have your application notarized by a public notary to verify your identity. In such cases, you must provide both your ID and form and sign it in front of a notary public, and are not required to submit a photocopy of your ID. The Sworn Letter will be enough proof of identity.
Ordering a Birth Certificate
What is a birth certificate?
A birth certificate is an official legal document that summarizes a person's birth record. In Pennsylvania, a birth certificate is printed on specialized security paper and contains a raised seal. This document is frequently used to prove identity when applying for a passport, employment, driver's license, social security card and school enrollment.
Our office only issues birth certificates for births that occurred in Pennsylvania since 1906.
You will receive a certified "No Record Certification of Birth" 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 birth record.
For birth certificates from other states: If you need a certificate for someone born in another state, see the National Center for Health Statistics' website for contact information.
How do I apply for a birth certificate?
For online services: You may order a birth certificate online (24 hours/day, 7 days/week) from Pennsylvania's only authorized vendor at mycertificates.health.pa.gov. In addition to the standard birth 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 be aware, when placing an order for a birth or a death certificate online, UPS delivery is currently unavailable. You may select free first class mail delivery through the United States Postal Service or pick up at a Vital Records Office. Please check back frequently for updates regarding online order, delivery options.
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 walk-in services: Please see our Public
Office page for office locations and hours of operation.
For mail services: You may complete an Application for Birth Certificate (PDF) 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
Birth Certificate Processing Unit
PO Box 1528
New Castle, PA 16103
Who can apply for a birth certificate?
You must meet the following requirements to receive a birth certificate.
- You must complete an Application for a Birth Certificate.
- You must show valid identification.
- You must sign your application.
- You must be an eligible applicant. Eligible applicants must be 16 years of age or older for in-person and mail applications. Online applicants must be 18 years or older due to online payment and identity requirements. Eligible applicants include the following:
- Person named on the birth certificate
- Spouse
- Parent or step-parent. A step-parent must also submit a marriage certificate to support the relationship to the person named on the birth 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 person named on the birth certificate (must provide supporting documentation)
- If the person listed on the birth certificate is deceased, a family member who is not listed above must also submit a copy of the death certificate to be eligible to receive the birth certificate
- You must pay a fee of $20 for each birth certificate ordered unless you meet fee waiver requirements. Fee waivers are available for members of the U.S. Armed Forces, and through specific fee-waived paper applications available under the “Forms” section. If ordering online, you must also pay a non-refundable $10 service fee and applicable delivery fees if selecting UPS overnight shipping.
How long does it take to get a birth certificate?
If you need a birth 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 your birth record may also require additional processing.
What is the cost for a birth certificate?
The cost for a birth 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 in person at a Vital Records Public Office. 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 birth certificate, your spouse's birth certificate or the birth certificate of a dependent child. Please provide supporting documentation if applying for the fee waiver for a dependent child over 18 years of age. This fee waiver only covers the cost of the birth certificate. The fee waiver does not apply to the online service fees or UPS delivery fees.
How do I get a Report of Live Birth?
The Report of Live Birth is often referred to as the original birth certificate. This is the original report filed with the Department of Health regarding an individual's birth. In accordance with the Vital Statistics Law of 1953, this document is not classified as a public document until 105 years after the individual's birth. As such, this document is not available for disclosure under Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law.
Pennsylvania's statewide vital records program began in 1906. Once a Report of Live Birth has reached maturity (at 105 years of age), the record becomes available through the Pennsylvania State Archives.
Where can I get more information?
If you have questions about Pennsylvania birth 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.