How to Get a Death Certificate: Who Can Order and How Many You Need

Where to get a death certificate

There are two common ways to get certified copies:

1. Through the funeral home. The funeral director usually files the death certificate with the state after a doctor, medical examiner or coroner completes the medical part. Funeral homes can usually order certified copies for the family at the same time and add the cost to the bill.
2. From vital records. Order from the state vital records office, or in many states a county or city office, in the state where the death happened. Many offices take orders by mail, in person, and online, sometimes through an approved online vendor.

To find the right office, use the CDC's "Where to Write for Vital Records" directory. Pick the state where the death occurred, and it links you to that state's office and its instructions. The CDC notes that the federal government does not distribute certificates or indexes with identifying information for vital records.

Fees, accepted payment and processing times differ by state and change over time. Check them on the state's own vital records site or by phone before you send money. Be careful with unofficial sites that charge extra fees.

Who can order a certified death certificate?

Each state decides who can get a certified copy. Many states limit certified copies to close family and people with a legal or property interest. Real examples:

• California allows "authorized" certified copies for people listed in state law, including a parent, child, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, spouse or domestic partner, an attorney for the person or the estate, and funeral directors acting for eligible people.
• Texas says that for deaths within the past 25 years, only immediate family members of the person named on the certificate can request a copy. A qualified person can authorize someone else to pick it up with a notarized statement and ID.
• Washington requires proof of a qualifying relationship, such as spouse or domestic partner, child, parent, stepparent or stepchild, for a certified copy. Anyone can request a noncertified informational copy.

Executors, estate administrators and attorneys can often order copies with proof of their role. Check the rules in the state where the death happened.

Certified vs. informational copies

For example, California marks its informational copies as not valid to establish identity, and Washington's noncertified informational copies are watermarked as not valid for legal purposes. When in doubt, ask the institution which kind it needs.

What you need to order a death certificate

Requirements vary by state, but you are usually asked for:

• The person's full legal name, date of death, and the city or county where the death happened.
• Often the date of birth, parents' names, or the Social Security number, to find the right record.
• Your relationship to the person, and proof of it if the state requires it.
• A signed application and a copy of your valid photo ID.
• Payment of the state's fee.

If a cause of death is still pending, some states issue the certificate later or amend it. Some institutions will wait for the final version, so ask.

How many death certificates do I need?

There is no set number. Count the places that will ask for one. Some offices only need to see a certified copy and will give it back. Others keep it. Places that commonly ask include:

• Each life insurance company, including burial insurance and employer group life insurance.
• Each bank, credit union and investment or retirement account company.
• Pension plans and annuity companies.
• The probate court, if the estate goes through probate.
• The motor vehicle office or title agency, to transfer a vehicle.
• The county recorder or title company, to transfer real estate.
• The VA, for veterans' survivor benefits.
• Credit bureaus and creditors, to close accounts.
• Utility and phone companies may also ask.

Social Security is usually notified of the death by the funeral home. Ask the Social Security office whether it needs to see a death certificate for any benefit you apply for. See Social Security death benefits.

Example (hypothetical, not real data): A son is settling his mother's affairs. She had one life insurance policy, two bank accounts, a pension and a car. He counts five places, asks each one whether it keeps the copy, and orders that many plus one spare. He can order more later if needed.

For the full list of tasks after a death, see our first 30 days checklist.

Using a death certificate to claim life insurance

Life insurers usually ask for a certified death certificate with a claim form. See how long life insurance takes to pay out for the claim steps and a documents checklist. If you are not sure a policy exists, see how to find a lost life insurance policy.