HARRISBURG – The PA Department of Health announced changes to birth certificate eligibility requirements. Earlier this month, the department updated the birth certificate request process to lower the age of eligible applicants from 18 to 16-years-old. The lower age will make it easier for 16 and 17-year-old individuals to obtain their birth certificate, which is necessary to apply for a driver’s license or college admission. In addition, a new fee waiver option was implemented this month to allow individuals aged 16-24 who are, or have been, involved in foster care or juvenile justice to access their birth certificate without the $20 fee. A separate fee waiver application was created for individuals experiencing homelessness. To order a birth certificate, visit health.pa.gov.
