Get your certified Pennsylvania Birth Certificate

How to Get a Pennsylvania Birth Certificate Without ID

If you don't have a valid ID to request a certified copy of your Pennsylvania birth certificate, you can use two secondary forms of identification, such as a bank statement, pay stub, vehicle registration, or w-2 form. These documents must verify your name and current address. Refer to the table above for accepted forms of documents to prove your identity.

Alternatively, an authorized third party can submit a request on your behalf with proof of their identity and relationship to you.

How Long Does It Take to Process and Receive a Birth Certificate in Pennsylvania?

The total time to receive a Pennsylvania birth certificate replacement varies depending on the application method and the current processing times set by the PaDOH. Standard processing typically takes 2 weeks. VRO's online application can be completed in just five minutes. Additionally, it offers a Rush Processing add-on at checkout for same-day verification and dispatch of your application and documents to the state for processing.

Note that processing times may change depending on the volume of backlogged orders the PaDOH - Division of Vital Records receives.

Do I Need to Notarize My Application?

In Pennsylvania, a notarization of your birth certificate application is generally not required. A photocopy of your ID is sufficient documentation to verify your identity.

Other FAQs

• How to Obtain a Pennsylvania Birth Certificate if Born on an Overseas Military Base

  

  If you were born on a US military base overseas, your birth was recorded by the US Department of State. Therefore, the state of Pennsylvania will not have a record of your birth. You must request a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA or form FS-240) from the US Department of State. The CRBA serves as proof of US citizenship, comparable to a US birth certificate. A CRBA is legally accepted as evidence of your birth and citizenship and is accepted for legal purposes, including passport applications or for applying for social services.

  If you need an original copy of your birth certificate, it is advisable to contact the hospital in the relevant country for further assistance. for more information.

• Why Do I Need Certified Copies of My Pennsylvania Birth Certificate?

  

  It is important to have certified copies of your Pennsylvania birth certificate for significant life events. Birth certificates help verify your identity and citizenship and include essential details such as your original name, birthplace, birth date, and parents' names. Birth certificates are widely recognized and are often mandated by government agencies and businesses for legal matters, family affairs, school enrollment, employment, and travel purposes.
  
  Birth certificates are often useful or required for:

  Applying for a driver's license

  Applying for a new passport

  Issuing or obtaining a Social Security Card

  Applying for Social Security benefits

  Claiming pension or insurance benefits

  Genealogy research

  Claiming family inheritance

  Applying for a new job

  Enrolling in school

  Enlisting in military

  Obtaining a marriage license

• What Does a Pennsylvania Birth Certificate Look Like?

  

  Pennsylvania birth certificates feature distinct details that validate their authenticity. Although the appearance may vary depending on the year they were issued, they will display standard features set by the PaDOH guidelines, such as the state seal, the individual's name, the registrar's signature, and secure paper to prevent unauthorized duplication.

  Official (long-form) birth certificates are intended explicitly for legal purposes and differ from informational short-form copies, generally used for commemorative or personal reasons.

  • Full Name of the Person: The full legal name of the person whose birth is being recorded.

  • Date of Birth: The exact date of birth of the individual.

  • Place of Birth: The city, county, and state where the birth took place.

  • Parents’ Names: The full names of both parents, including the mother’s maiden name.

  • State Seal: A raised, embossed, or printed multicolor or black and white seal of the issuing authority, which validates the document.

  • Signature of State Registrar: The signature of the state registrar or authorized official responsible for issuing the certificate.

  • Date of Issuance: The date when the state officially issued the birth certificate.

  • Printed on Security Paper: Printed on specialized paper to prevent counterfeiting.

  In some instances, a certified birth certificate may also include:

  • Name of the Hospital where the birth was recorded.

  • Name of the Physician who attended the labor.

  
  

  

• How to Replace a Lost or Stolen Pennsylvania Birth Certificate

  

  If you lose your birth certificate:

  1. Promptly report it to the police and request a replacement copy. A birth certificate can be used for identity fraud if it falls into the wrong hands.
  2. Submit an application for a certified replacement copy in person, by mail, or online through VRO. You must complete the application, gather the required identification and documents, and pay the fees determined by the PaDOH.
     a. For in-person applications: Present the completed application and required documents to a Vital Records Office during hours of operation.
     b. For applying by mail: Send your application, documents, and a check or money order for the replacement fee to the PaDOH at:
     Pennsylvania Department of Health,
     Division of Vital Records
     P.O. Box 1528,
     New Castle, PA 16103
     c. For online submissions: Complete the application and upload your documents through the VRO website (payable by credit card online).
  3. The PaDOH will mail the certified copy(s) after processing.

• How to Correct or Amend a Pennsylvania Birth Certificate

  

  The process for correcting or amending a Pennsylvania birth certificate varies depending on the specified changes required. An addendum (supplement) is created to accurately reflect any necessary corrections or modifications to the birth certificate, ensuring the original record remains unaltered.

  Typically, amendments to birth certificates will require:

  1. A completed amendment application,
  2. Supporting documentation,
  3. Appropriate fee(s)

• How to Obtain an Apostille for a Pennsylvania Birth Certificate

  

  To obtain an apostille for a Pennsylvania birth certificate, you can submit a request directly to the Pennsylvania Secretary of State or utilize VRO's Express Apostille Service to order online. Apostilles are required when submitting a birth certificate to a foreign government as part of the 1961 Hague Convention and are exclusively issued by the Pennsylvania Secretary of State.

  To manually obtain an apostille for your Pennsylvania birth certificate, complete the following steps:

  1. Obtain a certified copy of your birth certificate: Ensure you have a certified copy of your Pennsylvania birth certificate issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
  2. Complete the Apostille request form: Download and fill out the Apostille/Certification Request Form from the Pennsylvania Department of State website.
  3. Pay the Apostille fee: Include a check or money order of $15.00 per document with your mail-in request. Checks and money orders should be made payable to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. (Cash is no longer accepted for walk-in service).
  4. Submit your request by mail or in person: Send the completed form, certified copy, payment, and a self-addressed return envelope with pre-paid postage if mailing your request, to the following address:

  By Mail or in person: