Advance Directive Form

Pennsylvania’s Advance Directive form authorizes a healthcare proxy and deals with an individual’s living and last will. The form must be signed by the individual, proxy, and two witnesses.

How to Order a Death Certificate

Only the deceased’s immediate and extended family members with proof of relation and legal representatives can obtain a death certificate in Pennsylvania. The required application information includes:

• Deceased’s name, sex, date of birth, social security number
• Name of deceased’s parents and mother’s maiden name
• Date and place of death
• Applicant’s name, phone number, e-mail, address
• Applicant’s relation to the deceased
• Purpose for request
• Copy of applicant’s government-issued photo ID

The certificate along with one certified copy costs $9. An additional copy is priced at $9. The fee may be waived for individuals related to Armed Forces or their spouses.

The application can be mailed at:

Division of Vital Records

Attn: Death Unit

101 South Mercer Street

P.O. Box 1528

New Castle, PA 16103

Or handed in person to the county’s health department.

Digital Estate Planning Laws

SB 320 Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act authorizes an individual’s legal representative who can access and control their digital assets and communications. This bill came into effect on July 23, 2020.

Death With Dignity or Aid-in-Dying or Physician-Assisted Death

Pennsylvania is currently reviewing the End of Life Options Act SB405. The bill progress can be found here.

Organ Donation Registry

Pennsylvania’s organ donation registry can be found here.

Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment (POLST)

Pennsylvania’s POLST form must be completed only after a conversation with a patient or their representative. It’s necessary for patients who are at risk of a life-threatening clinical event due to a life-limiting medical condition.

Probate Laws

Information on Pennsylvania’s legislation on the decedent’s will regarding their estate and other assets can be found in Title 20: Decedents, Estates and Fiduciaries.

Estate and Inheritance Tax

Pennsylvania has an inheritance tax of up to 15%. More information can be found at the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue official site.