Pennsylvania Birth Records

Pennsylvania birth records are official documents that document the details of a person's birth. The state began recording births statewide in January 1906. Since then, Pennsylvania has offered several forms of birth certificates. Generally, birth records fall into two main categories: long-form birth certificates and short-form birth certificates.

The long-form birth certificate is a detailed copy of the birth record. It is the legal version of the birth record issued with an official raised seal and signature of the registrar. The long form of the birth record is essential for legal and official purposes where detailed proof of identity is required. Long-form birth certificates contain the registrant's full legal name, date and time of birth, place of birth, parental details, filing details, and official seals and signatures.

The short-form birth certificate is an abridged version of the birth record, containing only the most essential information. It is suitable for personal record-keeping, genealogical research, or situations where only basic identity verification is required. Short-form birth certificates are typically not accepted for most legal purposes. Short-form birth records contain the registrant's name, date of birth, place of birth, and basic parental information,

Additionally, birth records in Pennsylvania may be authorized or informational. Authorized copies of birth records are the official legally recognized copies of birth records required for official transactions. The informational copy of a birth record offers basic information as the authorized copy but lacks official security features.

How To Order a Pennsylvania Birth Certificate?

Pennsylvania birth records are accessible at the county and state level. The Pennsylvania Department of Health - Vital Records is the primary source for official birth certificates of individuals born from 1906 to the present. You may order the record in person at your local Public Offices during business hours. In addition, birth records may be ordered by mail from the Department of Health. Mail requesters may complete the Application for a Birth Certificate form. Include an acceptable form of identification and pay the fee of $20 per copy requested. Mail the record request to:

Additionally, birth records pre-dating 1906 are available at the courthouse in the county of birth. You may check with your local Register of Wills and the Clerk of Orphans Court to obtain information on how to access older copies of birth records. Similarly, you may access historical birth records before 1906, available for genealogical research through the Pennsylvania State Archives.

Are Birth Records Public in Pennsylvania?

Under Pennsylvania law, birth records are generally open to the public with restrictions. To this end, if you want to obtain a certified copy of a recent birth certificate, you must be an eligible person. Likewise, historical birth records are public records open to the general public without restrictions.

Who Can Order A Birth Certificate in Pennsylvania?

According to state laws and the guidelines set by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, only certain eligible persons can order a certified copy of a birth record. These eligible persons include:

• The person named on the birth certificate
• Immediate family members, including spouses, parents, step-parents, brother, sister, half-brother or sister, grandparent, or grandchild
• Attorney or legal representatives of the person named on the birth record
• Persons with a court order

How Long Does it Take to Get A Pennsylvania Birth Certificate?

The standard processing time for a Pennsylvania birth certificate from the Department of Health is about two weeks after the application is received. However, if you need the certificate faster, you may request the record at your local Public Offices or at the Clerk of Orphans Court where the birth occurred. Record processed at the local offices reduces the processing time to around 3 to 5 business days by mail and same day for walk-in requests.

Where Can I Find Pennsylvania Birth Records Free?

Generally, obtaining a certified copy of a Pennsylvania birth certificate requires that you be an eligible person and involves a fee. On the other hand, free informational copies are available through several non-governmental sources. These sources offer access to birth records for genealogical research but not for legal purposes. These sources include:

• The National Vital Records Archives: Historical records are often archived by national repositories. While the National Archives primarily holds federal records, some vital records that have become public, usually birth records over 100 years old, can be accessed as free information.
• The Pennsylvania Department of Health: The department maintains vital records for births from 1906 to the present. While certified copies must be ordered with proper identification and fees, the department provides searchable indexes of historical records for free.
• Genealogy Websites: Websites such as FamilySearch.org and Ancestry.com are ideal for genealogical research and may be used for detailed family history research.
• Third-Party Websites: Third-party platforms like PublicRecirds.us aggregate public record information, including birth records for Pennsylvania. These sites provide free searchable indexes for birth records that might be a good starting point for looking up birth records.

When Would I Need My Pennsylvania Birth Records?

A Pennsylvania birth record legally establishes your identity, age, and citizenship. Therefore, the certified copy of a birth record is essential and may be required under the following circumstances:

• Applying for a government-issued identification, such as a U.S. passport or driver's license
• To prove your identity when applying for marriage licenses
• Opening a bank account, applying for loans, or filing taxes
• To verify your identity and age when enrolling in school, during hiring, or background checks
• Resolving disputes in estates and inheritance cases
• Applying for social benefits or insurance claims

How Much is A Replacement Birth Certificate in Pennsylvania?

A replacement Pennsylvania birth certificate is necessary when the original document is lost, damaged, stolen, or destroyed. For births from 1906 to date, you may obtain replacement birth certificates from the Pennsylvania Department of Health - Vital Records Office. It costs $20 to replace birth certificates from the Vital Records Office. Additionally, you may contact your local Public Offices or the Clerk of Orphans Court where the birth was reported to replace the record. The fee varies slightly by county. However, expect to pay within $18 to $22 to replace the document.

When Can the Public Access Pennsylvania Birth Certificates?

Access to recent public birth records in Pennsylvania is generally limited to persons with verifiable interest, such as legal guardians and authorized legal representatives. Per state law, vital records remain private for living individuals to protect their personal information. Therefore, unless the requester has obtained a court order, certified copies of birth certificates are closed to the public.

How To Correct an Error on a Pennsylvania Birth Certificate?

Generally, only minor clerical errors on a birth certificate are eligible for correction in Pennsylvania. Significant birth record corrections, such as legal name changes, require a certified court order. Some common reasons why a person may correct an error on a birth certificate include:

• Correct parental information
• To change incorrect dates and times on the records
• To include an omitted middle name

Correcting errors on a Pennsylvania birth certificate requires completing the appropriate request to modify the record form. Similarly, you may obtain the form in person at the local county office. All requests must include a photocopy of a valid government-issued photo ID and documents supporting the change. Mail the completed forms to:

Does Pennsylvania Provide Non-binary Birth Certificates?

Currently, Pennsylvania does not provide a non-binary or gender-neutral option on its birth certificates. Under state law, all birth records must include a sex designation, either "male" or "female". There are no statutory provisions or regulations that permit a gender-neutral marker on Pennsylvania birth certificates. This implies that regardless of an individual's gender identity, the official birth record will reflect the sex assigned at birth.