STATE LOWERING AGE FOR TEENS TO ACCESS BIRTH INFORMATION

The Pennsylvania Department of Health has lowered the age requirement for teens to access their birth certificates. Residents as young as 16 can now request a copy, which they often need when applying for a driver’s license or college admission. State officials say fees can also be waived for people who are between 16 and 24 who are in foster care or the juvenile justice system. A separate application process additionally has been set up for people who are homeless.