The fee is only waived if you are applying for your spouse's death certificate, if you are applying on behalf of a dependent child of the decedent, or if you are the representative of the decedent's estate (supporting documentation will be required).
Payment may be made by credit card if ordering online or by telephone. They will tell you exactly what you need to do. The Health Department also fulfills requests to correct death certificates. See instructions below.If you are an attorney who has been retained by an entitled party, follow the instructions below.You can order a copy of a death certificate without the confidential medical report All Medical Examiner death certificates have the cause of death. Vault copies are generally used for international purposes, including dual citizenship, international adoptions and international marriage.If you have not received your order after the estimated processing times noted above, including 10-15 business days for mailing, please call us at:For questions regarding a birth or death certificate order, you can also email For questions regarding an order for a birth certificate or death certificate I cannot order a death certificate online. *Please allow an additional 10 business days for vault copies of NYC birth and death certificates and any other record that requires searching. To order a copy of a death certificate WITHOUT the confidential medical report: You can order a copy of a death certificate without the confidential medical report online. How to Find the Vital Records Office. It does not have these records for New York City (the boroughs of Manhattan, Kings (Brooklyn), Queens, Bronx, and Richmond (Staten Island)). In Pennsylvania, a death certificate is printed on specialized security paper that contains a raised seal. The following relations to the deceased may request both a death certificate and the confidential cause of death medical report:The following relations may only request a death certificate, not the cause of death:If you are not listed above as an entitled party, you must document your right to get a death certificate.
If you have an emergency request related to health care coverage, government services, military or employment, The Health Department issues death certificates for all people who die in one of the five boroughs of New York City. The funeral home responsible for filing the death record may also apply if the decedent's death record indicates that he/she was a veteran or if the spouse of the decedent is a member of the U.S. Armed Forces. This document is frequently used for closing financial accounts, settling estates, claiming life insurance and pension beneficiary benefits, cancelling accounts or re-establishing the account holder contact with utility companies, and serving as documentation for a widow/widower to remarry.
Our office only issues death certificates for deaths that occurred in Pennsylvania since 1906.Please note that the Department of Health processes requests for all orders. In addition to the standard death certificate fee of $20, a $10 processing fee also applies. This fee waiver only covers the cost of the death certificate and does not apply to online service fees or UPS delivery fees. Provide high-quality supports and protections to vulnerable Pennsylvanians A death certificate is an official legal document that includes information from a person's death record. 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.
Most people need just the certificate of death.Live operators are available to answer questions on how to get death certificates from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. Cash is If you have questions about Pennsylvania death certificates, contact the Division of Vital Records using one of the following methods:Keystone State.