Pennsylvania Public Records

As the second state to enter the Union in 1787, Pennsylvania boasts a long and illustrious piece of American history today. This state is the seventh largest in the county in terms of total population, with more than 12.7 million residents estimated in 2011. The state is home to a multitude of historical landmarks, as well as a wealth of recreational opportunities. To learn more about the people who have lived and died in the state, Pennsylvania public records disclose significant facts about many of the state’s past and present residents. These documents offer a glimpse into the population that made Pennsylvania the historic hub that it is today. 

Finding Pennsylvania government public records involves first knowing where these documents are stored. Fortunately, the state offers plenty of good resources to help those in search of vital records for academic, genealogical or personal purposes. With a history that dates back long before the official formation of this country, records on file at Pennsylvania offices may extend centuries, with many carefully preserved to honor the rich history of the area. To find Pennsylvania vital records today, keep the following tips in mind:

Rules Governing a Pennsylvania Public Records Search

Like many states across the country today, Pennsylvania has implemented laws about who can access some public records to protect the identities of those names on the documents.  Pennsylvania birth certificates are restricted to the person on the document (if over 18), immediate family members, legal representatives or powers of attorney.

Pennsylvania death records face similar restrictions, available only to immediate family members or legal representatives of the deceased. Extended family may also gain access to those records if they can prove direct descent to the deceased. Power of Attorney papers are not valid for retrieval of death certificates usually, since a Power of Attorney ceases upon the death of the individual.

Other Pennsylvania public records are open to the general public, including most of the archived files available at the Pennsylvania State Archives. PA birth and death certificates with dates of 1961 and prior are also available to the public, and these records can be found at both the Department of Health and the State Archives.

Access to Pennsylvania marriage and divorce documents is at the discretion of the county courthouse where the document is held; however, these documents do not face the same restrictions as birth and death records typically.

Pennsylvania Public Records Locations

A Pennsylvania public records search typically starts with the Pennsylvania Department of Health. This office holds all Pennsylvania birth and death records dating from 1906 to the present. While the office does not currently store marriage and divorce records, it does provide contact information for the various county courthouses throughout the state to make it easier for those in search of these documents. Searches and copies of those documents must be requested from the appropriate county courthouse.

In addition, archived files are available through the Pennsylvania State Archives, which holds a wealth of historic information about the state. This office has original copies of birth and death certificates dating prior to 1961, as well as records from previous wars, land records and census records. Searches of these files can be initiated in person, by mail or fax or through email. Keep in mind there are charges for the time spent on research, as well as for the copies of the documents you request.

Searching Public Records Online in Pennsylvania

When it comes to public records searches in Pennsylvania, many want to be able to conduct their business via any location around the globe. This is where Pennsylvania online records come into play. The Department of Health offers online access to vital records through a third-party service known as VitalChek. This company provides online vital records for many states across the country, allowing interested individuals to search for records from any location and order copies of documents that they can receive in as little as two days. There is an addition fee to access the VitalChek service.