Death Certificates

Death Certificates 
What are Death Certificates Used For? 
Certified copies of death records (with a raised embossed state seal printed on security paper) are acceptable for various uses such as
  • estate settlement;
  • insurance;
  • pension/retirement;
  • social security;
  • property transfer; and
  •  stocks/bonds.

Who Can Order a Death Certificate?
  • attorney or legal representative of decedent's estate (documentation may be required)
  •  immediate family members
  • extended family members who indicate a direct relationship to the decedent (documentation may be required);
  • power of attorney. 

If applicant is retained by a city/county/state office who has assumed administration of an estate, a letter signed by an official of the city/county/state office is required indicating the purpose for which he/she has been retained by the applicant and identifying the estate that is involved.

Power of Attorney (POA) Information
A Power of Attorney (POA) document should only be submitted when an individual or eligible family member is unable to apply for a birth certificate, a death certificate or a fetal death certificate. If, as POA, you cannot comply with the following instructions, the individual or eligible requestor must apply for the certificate.

  • An explanation must be included with the application as to why the individual or eligible family member is unable to apply.
  • Applicants submitting a POA document should review the applicable code for the state or country where the POA document was executed to ensure validity prior to submission with the application for a birth certificate, a death certificate or a fetal death certificate.
  • If you have been granted POA for the person named on a birth certificate, you must submit a notarized POA document that contains the original signatures of the parties involved, including the original notary's signature and seal. Your original document will be returned to you.
  • If you have been granted POA for an individual who is eligible to request a death certificate or a fetal death certificate, you must submit a notarized POA document that contains the original signatures of the parties involved, including the original notary's signature and seal. Your original document will be returned to you.
  • If you do not wish to send the original POA document, you may file the original notarized POA with the Clerk of Orphan's Court division of the Court of Common Pleas (usually in the county where the person granting the power of attorney resides) to obtain a certified copy of the POA document issued by the court. The certified copy of the POA document that includes the seal of the court may be submitted to our office in lieu of the original document. The document will be returned to you.
  • Note that a Power of Attorney (POA) document is no longer valid upon the death of an individual.

Death Certificate Fees
Death certified copies are $20 each. 
Fee may be waived if the decedent was an armed forces member and if the applicant (the person applying) is:
  • the decedent's legal spouse;
  • a dependent child; or
  • the funeral director listed on the death certificate, if the decedent is listed as a veteran.
  • Fees in other states vary by each state.

For more information visit PA Department of Heath.
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