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Pennsylvania vital records

The Division of Vital Records is the vital records office for Pennsylvania.1 It issues certified birth certificates and death certificates12. It does not issue marriage certificates or divorce records; this page shows who does.3

Last checked against official sources.

On this page
  1. Records and where to get them
  2. Local offices
  3. Access rules and the law
  4. The state office
  5. Questions people ask
  6. Sources

Current notices from the office

  • Philadelphia Vital Records Office closed per notice dated November 5, 20264
  • Appointments for Philadelphia only through the state office4

Records and where to get them

RecordWho issues itYears heldFirst copyShortest published time
Birth certificateDivision of Vital Records, Pennsylvania Department of Health11906 to today5$201In person: Same day4
Death certificateDivision of Vital Records, Pennsylvania Department of Health21906 to today5$202Online through LexisNexis VitalChek Network Inc.: 3 weeks on average6
Marriage certificateRegister of Wills/Clerk of the Orphans Court of the issuing county71885 to today7–In person: Same day8
Divorce recordsProthonotary of the county where the divorce was filed71804 to today9––

Birth certificate

Older records
County courthouse10
Ways to order
Online through LexisNexis VitalChek Network Inc., by mail, in person

How to get a Pennsylvania birth certificate

Death certificate

Who holds it
Local registrars may issue death certificates right after registration11
Older records
County courthouse12
Ways to order
Online through LexisNexis VitalChek Network Inc., by mail, in person

How to get a Pennsylvania death certificate

Marriage certificate

Who holds it
State cannot issue marriage records3
Older records
Church records and newspapers9
Ways to order
By mail, in person

How to get a Pennsylvania marriage certificate

Divorce records

Who holds it
State cannot issue divorce records3
Older records
Pennsylvania State Archives, Record Group 339
Ways to order
By mail, in person

How to get Pennsylvania divorce records

Local offices

Local offices issue certified copies
Yes3
Which offices
Local registrar (deaths); county Register of Wills/Clerk of the Orphans Court (marriage); county Prothonotary (divorce)11

Access rules and the law

Who may get certified copies
Closed; requires direct interest until records become public3

Laws and rules the office cites

  • Vital Statistics Law of 1953 (Act of June 29, 1953, P.L.304, No.66)3
  • Vital Statistics Law of 1953, section 801: records public after 105 years (birth) or 50 years (death)13
  • 28 Pa. Code Chapter 1, Administration of Vital Records14
  • 23 Pa.C.S. Chapter 13, Marriage License15

The state office

Office
Division of Vital Records1
Mailing address
Division of Vital Records, Birth Certificate Processing Unit, PO Box 1528, New Castle, PA 16103
1
Walk-in address
105 Nesbitt Road, New Castle, PA 16105
4
Hours
Monday-Friday, 8:00AM - 4:00PM. Closed holidays.4

Questions people ask

How much do birth and death certificates cost in Pennsylvania?

A certified birth certificate costs $20 for the first copy and a death certificate $20.12

Where do I get a marriage certificate in Pennsylvania?

Register of Wills/Clerk of the Orphans Court of the issuing county. State cannot issue marriage records.73

Where do I get divorce records in Pennsylvania?

Prothonotary of the county where the divorce was filed. State cannot issue divorce records.73

Sources

Every fact on this page comes from these official sources, checked on November 5, 2026. Tap a source number next to a fact to read the exact words.

  1. Birth certificatesPennsylvania Department of Health, Division of Vital Records
  2. Death certificatesPennsylvania Department of Health, Division of Vital Records
  3. Act of Jun. 29, 1953,P.L. 304, No. 66 Cl. 35Pennsylvania General Assembly
  4. Public officesPennsylvania Department of Health, Division of Vital Records
  5. GenealogyPennsylvania Department of Health, Division of Vital Records
  6. Processing timesPennsylvania Department of Health, Division of Vital Records
  7. Marriage recordsPennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission, State Archives
  8. Find and request a marriage recordCity of Philadelphia
  9. Vital recordspa.gov/…atelibrary/programs-and-services/research-guides/vital-recordsState Library of Pennsylvania
  10. Pennsylvania Department of Health: Faq birthPennsylvania Department of Health, Division of Vital Records
  11. Death reportPennsylvania Department of Health, Division of Vital Records
  12. Pennsylvania Department of Health: Faq deathPennsylvania Department of Health, Division of Vital Records
  13. Act of Dec. 15, 2011,P.L. 445, No. 110 Cl. 35Pennsylvania General Assemblydated December 15, 2011
  14. Pennsylvania Code
  15. Chapter 13.Pennsylvania General Assembly
  16. Vital recordspa.gov/agencies/health/programs/vital-recordsPennsylvania Department of Health, Division of Vital Records