It can be confusing finding and ordering genealogy copies of PA death certificates.
Pennsylvania Death Certificates from 1906-1944 are now available for research online at Ancestry.com. Ancestry.com. is a paid subscription site. However, Pennsylvania residents may access these records free through Ancestry.com Pennsylvania.
Death certificates, 1906-1963, may be requested from the State Archives
To request non-certified death certificates you need to obtain information from both the Pennsylvania State Archives and the Pennsylvania Department of Health. To apply for a certified or a non-certified copy of a death certificate you must search the Pennsylvania death indices to obtain a Pennsylvania State File number.
How to obtain a Pennsylvania State File number:
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- Go to: Department of Health – Division of Vital Records.
- Read the information on how to search the records.
- Many years use the Russell Soundex method of indexing.
- Go to: Public Records – Death Indices
- Click on the year you are interested in viewing.
This will display a list of PDF records in alphabetical order.
- Click on the year you are interested in viewing.
- Go to: Department of Health – Division of Vital Records.
Example; I’m looking for Adams in the 1928 records.
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- I clicked on the “D-28 A-B.pdf” link. (D-28 – Death Record 1928)
- Once the PDF opens a list of alphabetical bookmarks will be available on the left side of the page.
- Click on the letters (I clicked on “ADA” for Adams) of the surname you are looking for.
- Once you locate the person you are looking for copy the information.
- I also copy the URL (link) at the top of the page for my records.
- I clicked on the “D-28 A-B.pdf” link. (D-28 – Death Record 1928)
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Example; Adams, William H; — 83701; Reading; Aug 30 make sure to add the year 1928.
Now you have the date of death, the city, and the certificate file number; 83701.
3. Complete the Request Form
Non-Certified
For a non-certified copy go to the Vital Statistics Records at the Pennsylvania State Archives. Read the information and click on the Vital Records Request Form (PDF)
Certified
To apply for a certified copy of the death certificate, the information, form and mailing address is at the bottom of the Department of Health – Division of Vital Records
You must know the full name of the person, the date of death, and the certificate number. The fees and address are located on the form.