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Finding United States Births Pennsylvania Births

= Finding Pennsylvania Birth Records =

One of the original thirteen colonies, Pennsylvania was a late comer to the keeping of vital records on a state level. Between 1852-1855 Pennsylvania counties were directed to record births within their jurisdiction. However few counties complied. In 1893 counties were again required to record births within their jurisdiction. This law had a better response and remained in effect until 1906 when the state of Pennsylvania began to record births on a statewide level.

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Next Step: When did the birth occur?

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 * Choose a time period to search for your ancestor's birth record:


 * Births 1852-1855
 * Births between 1893 and 1905
 * Births after 1905
 * I don't know when the birth is


 * }

Births Before 1852
Before 1852, no births were recorded by the county or state. You must search substitute records to locate your ancestor’s birth date and place.

Return to Top: Finding Pennsylvania Birth Records

Births 1852-1854
Between 1852 and 1854 the counties of Pennsylvania attempted to record births which occurred in their jurisdiction. However, there were very few births recorded. Currently, the births, which were recorded, are not available online but can be viewed at the respective county courthouses or the Pennsylvania State Archives. Film copies of the birth records can also be found at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah other records.

Records may be found for the following 38 of the 67 counties:

For births that exist during the time period, try the following databases.

Return to Top: Finding Pennsylvania Birth Records

Births Between 1893 and 1905
Between 1893 and 1905 Pennsylvania counties were required to record births within their jurisdiction. These records are not complete but should still be searched. Many of the birth records do not list the first name of the child. In those cases only the names of the parents may help to identify the correct child. Limited births maybe found in the following databases.

Obtain the Certificate
With an exact date (from your records or the index above), you can order a copy of the birth record for a fee from the county of birth

If you do not know the exact date or place of birth: For a fee, the West Virginia Department of Health office will do a 3 year search.

Restrictions for persons born within the last 100 years: To obtain a copy of the birth certificate for those born within the last 100 years, you must be:


 * The person on the certificate
 * The parents and grandparents of person on the certificate
 * The wife or husband of the person on the certificate
 * The children and grandchildren of the person on the certificate
 * The brothers or sisters of the person on the certificate
 * Anyone who has legal interest in the certificate
 * NOTE: A copy of the birth record cannot be obtained by anyone except those listed above until 100 years have passed from the date of the birth.

'''If you do not want to order the birth record, there are other records with birth information you can search. ''' Return to Top: Finding Pennsylvania Birth Records

Births After 1905
Limited births maybe found in the following databases. Try each link. If you do not find your ancestor's birth or if you want order a copy of the certificate, then contact the West Virginia Vital Registration office.

STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate
With an exact date (from your records or the index above), you can order a copy of the birth record for a fee from the county of birth or the West Virginia Department of Health office.

If you do not know the exact date or place of birth: For a fee, the West Virginia Department of Health office will do a 3 year search.

Restrictions for persons born within the last 100 years: To obtain a copy of the birth certificate for those born within the last 100 years, you must be:


 * The person on the certificate
 * The parents and grandparents of person on the certificate
 * The wife or husband of the person on the certificate
 * The children and grandchildren of the person on the certificate
 * The brothers or sisters of the person on the certificate
 * Anyone who has legal interest in the certificate
 * NOTE: A copy of the birth record cannot be obtained by anyone except those listed above until 100 years have passed from the date of the birth.

'''If you do not want to order the birth record, there are other records with birth information you can search. ''' Return to Top: Finding Pennsylvania Birth Records

Related Wiki Articles

 * Learn more about U.S. Birth Records
 * United States Record Selection Table
 * U.S. Vital Records Overview
 * United States Vital Records
 * Locating United States Vital Records
 * United States Death Records
 * United States Marriage Records