health.pa.gov Obtain Death Certificate : Pennsylvania Department of Health

Name of the Organization : Pennsylvania Department of Health
Type of Facility : Obtain Death Certificate
State : Pennsylvania
Country : United States of America

Website : http://www.health.pa.gov/MyRecords/Certificates/DeathCertificates/Pages/default.aspx#.V1-q0-Qgsqg
Application Form : https://www.statusin.org/uploads/24095DeathCertificate.pdf

Obtain Death Certificate :

** The Division of Vital Records maintains records of deaths that occurred from 1906 to the present.
** Certified copies of death certificates (with a raised seal) are issued and acceptable for various uses,

Related : Pennsylvania Department of Health Obtain Birth Certificate : www.statusin.org/24092.html

such as:
** Settle Estate
** Insurance
** Pension/Retirement
** Social Security
** Property Transfer
** Stocks/Bonds

** There are three ways to obtain a certified copy of a death certificate.
** Be sure to complete all required information on the application form provided within each link
1. Order Online thru Vitalchek, the authorized service provider for the Pennsylvania Department of Health
2. Order Death Certificates by Mail
3. Order in person at one of these six public office locations:
** Pittsburgh
** Scranton
** Philadelphia
** Erie
** Harrisburg
** New Castle

Please note :
** Processing times vary by site.
** You may select the links above for additional information on specific processing times in our public offices.

Cost :
** There is a $9 fee for each certified copy.
** Check or money order should be made payable to Vital Records.
** Fee may be waived if the decedent was an Armed Forces member; the applicant is the decedent’s legal spouse, or dependent child.
** The Armed Forces fee waiver does not apply to genealogical requests.
** The Division of Vital Records does not accept cash for any transactions.

Who May Request a Death Certificate?
Only certain people can request a death certificate.
You must be :
** Legal representative of decedent’s estate
** Immediate family member
** Extended family member who indicates a direct relationship to the decedent
** Power of Attorney (Please note that a Power of Attorney document is no longer valid upon the death of the individual)

Request by Mail :
** Requests are to be submitted on an Application for Certified Copy of Death Record and include the signature and photo ID of the individual requesting the record.
** You may need to download Adobe Acrobat Reader to print the application.

For faster service please be sure to :
** Sign your form in the signature spot at the top of the page
** Include the appropriate processing fee
** Enclose a copy of your valid ID – expired ID will not be accepted
** Please include a valid email address to receive an email acknowledgement that your application was received.

** Requestor must submit a legible copy of his or her valid government issued photo identification.
** Examples of acceptable identification are a state issued driver’s license or non-driver photo ID that verifies the eligible requestor’s name and current address.
** Photo identification will be shredded after review.

** If you do not have acceptable photo identification, an eligible requestor possessing government issued photo ID may apply.
** If an eligible requestor is unable to apply, you may submit a completed Statement from Requestors Not Possessing Acceptable Government-Issued Photo ID with two documents verifying your current address.
** There is a $9.00 fee for each certified copy. Check or money order should be made payable to Vital Records.

Fee may be waived if the decedent was an Armed Forces member or related to the Armed Forces member as stated below :
** Surviving spouse of the Armed Forces member (unless he or she is remarried).
** Dependent child of the Armed Forces member if he or she is unable to provide support for himself or is reported as a dependent on the Armed Forces member’s Federal Income Tax Return.
** Documentation is required to prove dependency (example: copy of income tax return, copy of insurance waiver, etc.)

** Ex-spouse requesting on behalf of a minor child. Documentation is required.
** Executor or administrator of the veteran’s estate or the veteran’s deceased spouse’s estate.
** Documentation is required if not surviving spouse.
** The funeral director listed on the death certificate.
** Attorney requesting on behalf of the executor or administrator of the veteran’s estate.
** Documentation is required.

Note :
** The $9.00 fee may be waived for certificates issued of the Armed Forces member, the legal spouse or the dependent child only.
** Any other relatives of the Armed Forces member are not eligible for the fee waiver.