Are you searching for your Pennsylvania birth certificate and cannot locate it because you misplaced or lost it? Fortunately, it is not too difficult to order a birth certificate replacement online in a few simple steps.
What Is a Birth Certificate?
A birth certificate issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Health is your official Pennsylvania birth record. Your birth certificate also serves as your first official form of identification. The birth certificate your parents received was a certified copy, as the Department of Health retains the original birth certificate.
Why Do You Need a Legal Copy of a Pennsylvania Birth Certificate?
A legal copy of a Pennsylvania birth certificate is required for several purposes, such as:
- Obtaining a state-issued driver’s license or identification card
- Applying for a U.S. passport
- Registering for school
- Registering for the armed forces
- Applying for a social security card
- For employment verification for proof of your identity
- Opening an account at a bank or credit union
Who Can Obtain a Replacement Pennsylvania Birth Certificate?
In Pennsylvania, the Department of Health issues two types of birth certificates: certified copies and informational copies. Certified copies are considered legal documents. Information copies are usually issued when you are researching your family history and genealogy.
Certified copies can only be obtained by the person listed on the birth certificate or an immediate family member like your parents, siblings, children, or grandparents. A certified copy will be signed by the state’s registrar, contain the official state or county seal, and include the date the birth certificate was first recorded with the Department of Health.
An informational copy is not a legal document, nor can it be used for identification purposes. There will be an imprint across the birth certificate that indicates it is for informational purposes only. In addition, it will not be signed by the registrar or have the official state or county seal on it.
What Is Required to Get a Replacement Pennsylvania Birth Certificate?
To get a copy of a birth certificate in Pennsylvania, you must provide some general information, including:
- Your Date of Birth
- City and County of Birth
- Your Parents’ Names
- A Copy of a Valid Government Issued Photo ID
Suppose you are requesting a certified copy of a birth certificate for an immediate family member. In that case, you will need to provide a copy of your birth certificate showing your relationship to the person.
For example, you are getting a certified copy for your sister. Your birth certificate will show that you share at least one parent in common to prove you are an immediate family member.
How FastFilings Makes It Easy to Order a Birth Certificate Replacement
FastFilings makes it easy to order a new birth certificate replacement online in Pennsylvania. You do not have to leave home or worry about finding the right form you need to fill out. All you do is fill out our secure online application and provide the required information.
Next, you upload a copy of your valid government issued photo ID and provide a valid payment method. Finally, we file the application electronically with the state. Depending on processing times, you receive your replacement birth certificate in the mail in a few weeks.
When you need to obtain a copy faster, expedited processing is available. For further information or to order your Pennsylvania birth certificate, fill out our online application at FastFilings today!
Do not hesitate to contact us by filling out our online contact form if you have any questions or require additional assistance.