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Vital Record

Pennsylvania Death Certificate Apostille

To apostille a Pennsylvania death certificate, you need an official PA Department of Health death certificate that includes the State Registrar's signature (not a local registrar copy). Then submit it to the Pennsylvania Department of State (Apostilles & Certifications) with the request form and $15 per certificate issued.

Amelia Rivera
Reviewed by Amelia Rivera
Lead Apostille Specialist • 10+ years experience
Start PA Death Certificate Apostille See Process

⚡ 20-Second Check: Do You Have the Right PA Death Certificate?

Pick the closest match:

✅
PA death certificate that includes the State Registrar's signature
Ready for apostille
❌
Death certificate from a local registrar (does not include State Registrar signature)
Not apostille-ready; reorder the correct version
❌
Funeral home / hospital copy
Not accepted for apostille
❌
Photocopy / scanned PDF
Not accepted (send the official certified copy)
❌
Death occurred outside Pennsylvania
Must be apostilled by the issuing state

⚠️ The Pennsylvania Rule That Causes Most Rejections

If you need a death certificate for international purposes, it must include the State Registrar's signature.

PA DOH says a certificate obtained from a local registrar will not include it—and you must order the correct version via the state application. Even if your local copy looks "official," it can still be the wrong signer for apostille.

Snapshot: Pennsylvania Death Certificate Apostille

Document type Pennsylvania Death Certificate (Vital Record)
Issuing authority PA Department of Health (Vital Records)
International-use requirement Must include State Registrar's signature
Apostille authority PA Department of State — Apostilles & Certifications
State fee $15 per certificate issued
Country required on form ✅ Yes ("Country for which documents are being prepared")
Return shipping FedEx/DHL not accepted for returns; UPS allowed with rules
Best use cases Inheritance/probate, pensions, property transfer, civil status abroad

Requirements Checklist (Reject-Proof)

✅ Must have

  • ✓ PA death certificate that includes State Registrar signature for international purposes
  • ✓ Completed Apostille/Certification Request Form
  • ✓ Destination country listed on the form
  • ✓ Payment: $15 per certificate issued, payable to "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania"
  • ✓ Return shipping plan: self-addressed stamped envelope or prepaid air bill. If using UPS return, list yourself as sender and recipient on the air bill

❌ Cannot accept

  • ✗ Local registrar version for international purposes (wrong signer)
  • ✗ FedEx or DHL return labels (PA DOS does not accept these for return shipment)

⭐ Want a fast "apostille-ready" check before you send originals?

We confirm (1) correct death certificate version (State Registrar signature), (2) destination-country flow (apostille vs further legalization), and (3) the exact PA DOS submission package + return shipping setup.

Start Pre-Check

Step-by-Step: How to Apostille a Pennsylvania Death Certificate

1

Get the correct death certificate version (State Registrar signature)

If your document came from a local registrar and you need it for international use, PA DOH says it will not include the State Registrar signature. You must order the correct version via the state process/application.

Practical tip: If you already have a local registrar copy, don't "try it anyway." Reordering is usually faster than a rejected apostille loop.

2

Fill out the PA Apostille/Certification Request Form

The official form captures:

  • Requestor name/contact
  • Country for which documents are being prepared
  • Number of documents × $15

This "country" field is not cosmetic—it drives the correct certification type and reduces back-and-forth.

3

Prepare payment correctly ($15 per certificate issued)

PA DOS states the fee is $15 per certificate issued and checks/money orders must be payable to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

4

Set up return shipping the "PA way"

PA DOS instructions:

  • Include a self-addressed, stamped return envelope or a prepaid air bill.
  • They do not accept FedEx or DHL for return shipment.
  • If using UPS for return, list yourself as sender and recipient on the air bill, or the air bill will be changed.
  • Tracking is strongly recommended (keep tracking numbers for inbound and return).

Warning: This is one of the easiest places to accidentally lose a week.

5

Submit to Pennsylvania Department of State (Apostilles & Certifications)

Follow PA DOS submission instructions for mailing/return packaging and processing.

PA DOS Office of Notaries, Commissions and Legislation

201 North Office Building, 401 North Street

Harrisburg, PA 17120

6

Keep the packet intact after issuance

Once the apostille is attached, do not detach pages. Foreign registries often treat "unstapled" sets as tampered.

Fees & Timing (Realistic Planning)

Item Cost Notes
Apostille / certification fee $15 per certificate Per certificate issued
Total timeline Varies Depends on (1) ordering correct state-signed certificate, (2) mailing time, (3) PA DOS volume

SEO-friendly clarity (what most people want to know):
The apostille step is usually not the slowest part—the slowest part is often getting the correct State Registrar-signed certificate and shipping buffers.

Hague vs Non-Hague Countries (Don't Guess)

  • • If your destination is a Hague Convention country, you generally need an apostille.
  • • If it's non-Hague, you may need additional legalization after state certification.

Your request form asks for the destination country—use it.

Common Use Cases (High-Intent Search Matches)

Inheritance/probate abroad

Required for estate settlement in foreign countries

Closing pensions and benefits overseas

Prove death for pension/benefit claims

Transferring property or title internationally

Transfer ownership after death

Updating civil status in another country

Update marital status, family registry

Immigration / family registry filings

Support visa and immigration applications

🚫 Rejection Library (The stuff that quietly kills approvals)

  • ✗
    You used a local registrar death certificate for international use

    Missing State Registrar signature

  • ✗
    You left the destination country blank on the request form

    This field determines the correct certification type

  • ✗
    Your return label is FedEx/DHL

    PA DOS won't use it

  • ✗
    You didn't include return postage/air bill

    Documents can't return themselves

FAQ (PAA-Style)

How do I apostille a Pennsylvania death certificate?

Get the official PA death certificate that includes the State Registrar's signature (for international use), complete the PA DOS request form, include $15 per certificate, and submit with compliant return shipping.

My death certificate is from a local registrar—can I apostille it?

For international purposes, PA DOH says local registrar certificates won't include the State Registrar signature; you should order the correct state-signed version.

How much is an apostille in Pennsylvania?

The PA Department of State fee is $15 per certificate issued.

Can I use FedEx for return shipping from PA DOS?

No—PA DOS states it does not accept FedEx or DHL for return shipment. UPS is allowed with the "sender and recipient are you" rule.

Do I need notarization for a PA death certificate apostille?

No. Vital records are state-issued documents; you need the correct certified certificate and the PA DOS apostille process, not notarization.

Official Links

✓ Final "Before You Send" Checklist