Reading Death Records
Reading death records are available through several offices depending on when the death occurred. Reading is the county seat of Berks County and the fifth-largest city in Pennsylvania, with a population near 95,000. Pre-1906 records belong to the Berks County Orphans Court. Deaths since 1906 come through the Pennsylvania Department of Health. No walk-in Vital Records office exists in Reading, so residents typically use mail or online ordering for certified death certificates.
Reading Quick Facts
Berks County Death Records Before 1906
The Berks County Orphans Court holds birth and death records for the period 1893 through 1905. This covers Reading and all other municipalities in Berks County during that era. Before 1906, Pennsylvania did not operate a centralized vital records system. Death registration was handled locally by county courts, which is why the Orphans Court is the right office for this time period. These records are not available through the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
The Clerk of the Orphans Court also handles marriage records for Berks County. The Register of Wills office manages probate and estate filings. Both offices are at the Berks County Services Center, 633 Court Street, Reading, PA. Phone: (610) 478-6600. Together, these offices hold a range of historical documents relevant to death research, including wills, estate inventories, and marriage records that can help confirm family relationships and dates of death. If you are researching a Reading family from the late 1800s or early 1900s, visiting the courthouse in person is the most efficient approach for this period.
Note: Records predating 1893 are generally not held in any centralized Berks County office. Older church records and cemetery records may be available through local historical societies.
Reading Death Certificates 1906 to Present
Death certificates for Reading residents from 1906 to the present are available through the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Order online at mycertificates.health.pa.gov through VitalChek, the only authorized online vendor. The certificate fee is $20, plus a $10 processing fee for online orders. Mail requests go to: Division of Vital Records, PO Box 1528, New Castle, PA 16103. Phone: 724-656-3100 or 844-228-3516.
Two certificate versions are available. The standard version includes medical information: cause of death, manner of death, and related clinical details. A version without medical information is available only for deaths after 2019. Most legal and genealogical uses require the version with medical information. Eligible requestors include the spouse, ex-spouse, parent, step-parent, sibling, child, step-child, grandparent, or grandchild of the deceased. Legal representatives and persons with a direct financial interest in the estate may also request certificates. A valid government-issued photo ID and completed application are required in all cases. The required documentation must accompany every application, whether submitted online, by mail, or in person at a walk-in office.
Reading does not have a walk-in Vital Records office. The nearest in-person options are Philadelphia (110 N. 8th St.) and Harrisburg. If you need a death certificate quickly and cannot travel, online ordering through VitalChek is the fastest available option. Standard mail processing is slower and may take several weeks. For genealogical research on older deaths, the PA State Archives Death Indices cover 1906 through 1975 and are free to search online. These indices confirm a death occurred and provide a certificate number before you commit to ordering a copy.
Reading Death Index in PA State Archives
The Pennsylvania State Archives holds original death certificates for deaths statewide from 1906 through 1974. Death certificates from 1906 through 1972 are also available digitally on Ancestry.com. Pennsylvania residents can access Ancestry.com for free through the State Library of Pennsylvania. This makes digital copies of older Reading death records accessible without leaving home for many researchers.
The free Death Indices at the State Archives cover 1906 through 1975. Search these online to verify a death and find the certificate number. Once you have the number, order a copy through the Division of Vital Records. Certificates are public records 50 years after the death date, so older records require no special relationship to the deceased. For recent deaths, proof of relationship is required. The PA Vital Records Public Offices page lists all walk-in locations if you prefer in-person service at a nearby city.
Note: Berks County death records from 1906 onward are part of the statewide system and follow the same rules as all other Pennsylvania counties.
How to Request Reading Death Certificates
Reading residents have three ways to request a death certificate. Online ordering through mycertificates.health.pa.gov via VitalChek is the most convenient for most people. Complete the online form, provide a scanned ID, and pay by credit card. The $10 online processing fee is added on top of the $20 certificate fee. This method starts processing faster than mail, though the certified copy still ships by mail.
Mail requests avoid the online processing fee. Download and complete the application form from the PA Department of Health website. Include a photocopy of a valid government-issued photo ID. Make a check or money order payable to "Vital Records" for $20 per certificate. Mail to: Division of Vital Records, PO Box 1528, New Castle, PA 16103. Allow several weeks for processing. Phone: 724-656-3100 or 844-228-3516.
Walk-in service at the nearest offices requires travel since Reading has no local branch. Philadelphia (110 N. 8th St.) and Harrisburg are the two closest walk-in offices. Philadelphia is the more practical choice for most Berks County residents. Same-day service may be available at Philadelphia if you arrive before 10:00 am. Walk-in offices accept only check or money order. Death certificates are available with or without medical information. The version with cause and manner of death is the standard form used for most legal and genealogical purposes. The version without medical information is only issued for deaths after 2019 and has limited use. Most requestors need the standard version that includes all medical details. For estate purposes, ordering three or more certified copies at once is usually more efficient than submitting separate requests later. Each copy costs $20 regardless of how many you request at the same time.
Note: Reading does not have a walk-in Vital Records office. Plan accordingly if you need an in-person appointment or same-day service.
Berks County Death Records
Berks County surrounds Reading and includes many smaller municipalities. The county page has expanded coverage of death records, county court resources, and research tools for the greater Reading area.
Nearby Pennsylvania Cities
Cities in the surrounding region have their own death record offices. Select a city below for local research guidance.