Pennsylvania offers a straightforward online option for ordering a certified birth certificate, making it one of the easier vital records processes to complete without a trip to a government office. Whether you need the certificate for a REAL ID, passport application, or another legal purpose, here’s exactly how the online process works.
Who Can Apply and What You’ll Need
Before starting your application, confirm you’re eligible to request the certificate. The person named on the certificate, immediate family members, and legal representatives can request a copy, and applicants must be at least 16 years old for in-person and mail applications. You’ll need an unexpired government-issued photo ID at the time of application, along with as much detail as possible about the birth record—full name at birth, date of birth, place of birth, and parents’ names—since incomplete information can result in a “No Record Certification” if the state can’t locate the file.
Pennsylvania’s Division of Vital Records only issues certificates for births that occurred in the state since 1906, so if you were born elsewhere, you’ll need to go through that state’s vital records office instead.
Applying Online Step by Step
Pennsylvania’s Department of Health has designated a single authorized vendor for online orders, which is important to know since third-party sites can be easy to mistake for the official channel.
- Go to the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s official vital records page and select the online ordering option
- You’ll be routed to VitalChek, which is Pennsylvania’s only authorized vendor for processing online birth certificate orders
- Complete the application with your personal details, including your relationship to the person on the certificate if you’re requesting on someone else’s behalf
- Upload a copy of your photo ID as required
- Pay the applicable fee and submit your order
The state fee is $20 per certified copy, and processing for online orders generally takes about two to three weeks before the certificate is mailed out.
Watch Out for Look-Alike Third-Party Sites
Because vital records requests are in high demand, a number of private services have built websites that closely resemble official government portals, offering to “help” process your Pennsylvania birth certificate application for an added fee. These sites aren’t affiliated with any government agency—they’re independent services that prepare and forward your paperwork to the actual Vital Records office on your behalf, typically charging more than the state’s direct fee for that convenience. Going through the official pa.gov site or VitalChek directly avoids the markup these third-party processors charge.
If You’d Rather Not Apply Online
Online ordering isn’t the only option if you prefer another method. You can also request a certificate by mail using Form H105.102, or apply in person at one of the Department of Health’s Vital Records Public Offices, where you may be able to receive your certificate the same day depending on office workload. In-person applicants should be prepared for potential wait times and should confirm office hours before visiting.
Why You Might Need This Document
A Pennsylvania birth certificate serves as a foundational identity document for several common needs. The standard format issued by the Department of Health satisfies Proof of Identity requirements for a REAL ID, and it’s also commonly used when applying for a passport, enrolling in school, starting a new job, or getting a Social Security card. Because REAL ID compliance became a federal requirement for domestic air travel as of May 2025, many Pennsylvanians have been requesting certified copies specifically to complete that process if they haven’t already.
Official Contacts
- Pennsylvania Department of Health, Division of Vital Records: available through pa.gov’s Vital Records section for online, mail, and in-person application information
- VitalChek (Pennsylvania’s sole authorized online ordering vendor): accessible through the official Pennsylvania Department of Health website
- For records from a state other than Pennsylvania, consult the National Center for Health Statistics for the appropriate state contact
Join The Discussion
Have you ordered a Pennsylvania birth certificate online recently, whether for a REAL ID, passport, or another purpose? How was your experience with processing times, and did you run into any hiccups with documentation or eligibility requirements? Share your experiences, tips, or questions about navigating the process below.
