Pennsylvania Death Certificate
The Pennsylvania Death Certificate
The Pennsylvania Death Certificate contains vital statistics about the deceased and is used as a legal document for proof of death. If the death occurred in a state other than Pennsylvania, different laws and practices may apply.
Death certificates may be needed for:
• Sale of Real Estate
• Banking
• Probate Will
• Stocks
• Bonds
• Life Insurance
• Retirement Accounts
• Taxes
• Motor Vehicle Titles
Below describes more about death certificates, what information appears on them and guidelines for ordering additional copies.
What is a Death Certificate?
The Pennsylvania Death Certificate provides vital statistic information, pronouncement and medical certification about the deceased and serves as a legal document certifying that a death has occurred.
What does a Death Certificate Include?
There are 3 Distinct Sections of a Pennsylvania Death Certificate:
Vital Statistics Information
The funeral home completes this section of the death certificate. It includes information such as the name of the deceased, marital status, race, education,
employment , parents’ names and next of kin, where death occurred, method of disposition and ethnic background information.
Pronouncing & Certifying Death
The person that was physically present and pronounced that the death occurred then completes their area of the death certificate. This includes their name, time and date that the death occurred.
The only persons that are permitted to pronounce death are Registered Nurses (RN), Certified Nurse Practitioners (CRNP), Physicians and Coroners.
The physician or coroner then completes his/her section which can include up to 4 causes of death and interval of death. There are certain guidelines which physicians must follow to properly identify the cause of death. There are also questions about pregnancy, smoking and if an autopsy was performed. Finally, it asks if an injury occurred and requires all available information about the injury, where applicable.
What is a Registrar of Death?
Our funeral home then takes the completed death to our local registrar for certification and submission to PA Vital Records.
A registrar is an official delegated by the Pennsylvania Department of Health - Division of Vital Records to process and handle death certificates and birth certificates . It is their job to verify the information contained in the death certificate is completed correctly and accurately and they then sign and have the ability to issue certified copies of the original. Most of the time, the certified copies are issued while we wait for them.
It is the responsibility of the local registrar to then submit the original completed death certificate to Vital Records within 90 days, which is located in New Castle, Pennsylvania. Once the original is forwarded to Vital Records, it remains there forever. There are presently two local registrars in our area.
What are death certificates used for?
Death Certificates are used for many different purposes. They are required when closing bank accounts, processing life insurance policies, motor vehicle transfers, stocks, bonds and are used in settling the estate. They are a very important document and should be kept in a secure place at all times.
Does the funeral home take care of obtaining a death certificate?
YES, upon the death, a death certificate is started. In most cases, our funeral home will take the original from the place of death, contact physician and make arrangements for our staff to obtain the cause of death either electronically through the PA Department of Health - Division of Vital Records Electronic Death Registration System (EDRS)..
The physician that is certifying the cause of death, may complete this information online through the EDRS system, through completion of a medical certification worksheet or by completing a paper PA Death Certificate.
Pennsylvania Law (35 P.S. Sec. 450.105) States that a physician must sign a death certificate within 96 hours of the death occurring. They can be fined if they do not cooperate.
What about the coroner's office?
In certain circumstances, the county Coroner’s Office issues the death certificate . These circumstances include when a death occurs at home and can be suspicious in nature, when a death occurs in the Emergency Room, or when a crime has been committed.
How about electronic death certificates?
Currently , the PA Department of Health Division of Vital Records has worked diligently to streamline and increase the efficiency of how death certificates are processed. The Electronic Death Certificate Registration program - named DAVE has been implemented across the Commonwealth on a limited basis. Not all Physicians have been required to begin electronic, thus many facilities and physicians have not implemented the electronic DAVE program. We are a registered user of the DAVE System and use it daily. More and more facilities and physicians offices are becoming registered users of the DAVE System.
How much do death certificates costs?
$20.00 per copy (NOTE-These fees are established by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania). Unlimited veterans certified copies are free.
How do I order more copies?
After the funeral has been completed, and the month has ended, you may find that you need additional copies of the death certificate .
If the Death Certificate is in the EDRS/DAVE system, death certificates can be ordered and in most cases, obtained the same day.
Can I order certified copies online?
Yes, you can, visit: www.health.state.pa.us/vitalrecords
We tested ordering online. It takes approximately the same amount of time to receive your order.
What is a short certificate?
A short certificate is an extract from the official records of the Register of Wills indicating the name of the personal representative of the estate. A “personal representative “ is either an executor (if the deceased had a Will), or an administrator {if the deceased died without one). The Short Certificate is evidence of the personal representative’s authority to action behalf of the estate. Banks, stockbrokers, real estate agents, and other governmental entities require a Short Certificate as proof of the appointment of the personal representative.
Where do I obtain a short certificate?
Short certificates can be obtained by visiting your local County Register of Wills office . Below is contact information for the Register of Wills for Dauphin and Cumberland Counties:
DAUPHIN COUNTY
Dauphin County Courthouse
1st Floor - Room 103
101 Market Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
Phone: (717) 780-6500
Fax: (717) 780-6474
CUMBERLAND COUNTY
Cumberland County Courthouse
1 Courthouse Square, Room 102
Carlisle, PA 17013
Phone: (717) 240-6345
Fax: (717) 240-7797
For both counties, you will need to take with you:
- Original Copy of the deceased’s Will
- The witnesses that signed the Will (when able)
- 1 Certified Copy of the Death Certificate
- Method of Payment. Short Certificates Currently cost $6.00 (Dauphin County) and $5.00 (Cumberland County)
- We recommend that you call the Register of Wills before going to their offices to be sure you have all the necessary paperwork .
