How to Get a Death Certificate

To get a death certificate, ask your funeral home to order the initial batch of certified copies when they file the death record with the state — this is the fastest method and most funeral homes include it in their services. You will typically receive 10 to 20 certified copies within 1 to 2 weeks, at a cost of $10 to $30 per copy depending on your state. If you need additional copies later, order them from your state or county vital records office.

A death certificate is an official government document that serves as legal proof that a person has died. It contains the deceased's full name, date and place of birth, date and place of death, cause of death, and other identifying information. You will need it for virtually every task that follows a death — closing bank accounts, filing insurance claims, transferring property titles, settling the estate, claiming benefits, and more.

There are two types of death certificates, and the distinction matters:

• Certified copies — These have an official seal or stamp from the issuing authority (state or county vital records office). They are accepted as legal documents by banks, insurance companies, courts, and government agencies. This is what you need for nearly everything.
• Informational copies — These are marked "not for legal purposes" or "informational only." Some states issue these to non-family members or for genealogical research. They are not accepted for legal or financial transactions.

Always order certified copies. Informational copies will not work for settling accounts, filing claims, or managing the estate.

Every state limits who can order a certified death certificate. While the exact rules vary, the following people can almost always request one:

• Immediate family members: spouse, domestic partner, children, parents, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren
• The executor or personal representative of the estate (you may need to show Letters Testamentary or your appointment paperwork)
• A legal representative (attorney acting on behalf of the estate or a family member)
• A funeral director acting on behalf of the family
• Government agencies that need the record for official purposes

Some states also allow extended family members, financial institutions with a legitimate interest, or anyone who demonstrates a direct need. If you are unsure whether you qualify, contact your state's vital records office — they can tell you what documentation you will need to prove your eligibility.

Most people don't know: If you are the executor or personal representative of the estate but not a family member, you can still order death certificates. You will just need to provide your court appointment paperwork (Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration) along with your request.

Order more than you think you will need. We recommend 15 to 20 certified copies as a starting point. Here is why — nearly every institution requires an original certified copy, and some will keep the copy you submit rather than returning it:

• Probate court: 1 to 2 copies
• Each bank or financial institution: 1 copy each
• Each life insurance company: 1 copy each
• Social Security Administration: 1 copy
• Pension or retirement plan administrators: 1 copy each
• Vehicle title transfers (DMV): 1 copy per vehicle
• Real estate title transfers: 1 copy per property
• Veterans Affairs (if applicable): 1 copy
• Employer's HR department: 1 copy
• Health insurance company: 1 copy
• Credit card companies and creditors: 1 copy each (some accept a faxed copy, but many require a certified original)

If the deceased had many financial accounts, owned real estate in multiple locations, or had several insurance policies, you may need 20 or more. It is always cheaper and faster to order extra copies upfront than to order them individually later.

Some institutions will review a certified copy and return it to you, but do not count on this. Budget for each institution keeping its copy.

There are three main ways to get certified death certificates:

1. Through the funeral home (recommended for the initial order)

When the funeral home files the death record with the state, they can order certified copies on your behalf. This is the fastest and easiest option. Most funeral homes will ask you how many copies you want as part of the arrangement process. The funeral home charges the same per-copy fee as the vital records office, sometimes with a small service fee. Copies typically arrive within 1 to 2 weeks.

2. From your county vital records office

The county where the death occurred (or where the death was registered) maintains death records and can issue certified copies. You can usually request copies in person, by mail, or online. Processing time varies — in-person requests may be available the same day, while mail orders can take 2 to 6 weeks.

3. From your state vital records office

Every state has a central vital records office (sometimes called the Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, or similar). They maintain all death records for the state and can issue certified copies. State-level orders typically take longer (4 to 8 weeks by mail) but are useful when you need copies long after the death or if you have moved away from the county where the death occurred.

Online ordering options: Many states partner with third-party services like VitalChek (vitalchek.com) to offer online ordering. This is convenient but comes with an additional service fee — usually $10 to $15 on top of the state's per-copy cost. The certificates are the same official documents; you are just paying extra for the convenience of online ordering and credit card payment.

The cost per certified copy varies by state, typically ranging from $10 to $30. Here are some examples to give you a sense of the range:

• California: $21 per copy
• Texas: $20 per copy
• Florida: $5 for the first copy, $4 for each additional (one of the least expensive states)
• New York: $30 per copy
• Ohio: $21.50 per copy
• Pennsylvania: $20 per copy
• Illinois: $19 for the first copy, $16 for each additional

If you order 15 copies at $20 each, expect to spend about $300. This is a legitimate estate expense that can be reimbursed from estate funds.

Some states offer a discount for ordering multiple copies at the same time. Florida, for example, charges $5 for the first copy and just $4 for additional copies — so 15 copies would cost only $61.

If you order through VitalChek or a similar online service, add approximately $10 to $15 in processing fees plus any shipping charges.

Timeline depends on how you order:

• Through the funeral home: 1 to 2 weeks after the death record is filed (fastest for initial copies)
• In person at the county office: Same day to 1 week
• By mail from the county office: 2 to 4 weeks
• By mail from the state office: 4 to 8 weeks
• Through VitalChek or similar online service: 2 to 4 weeks for standard processing, 1 to 2 weeks for expedited

During times of high demand (such as during the pandemic), processing times can stretch significantly. If you need copies urgently, go to the county vital records office in person if possible.

Important note about timing: The death certificate cannot be issued until a physician, medical examiner, or coroner has certified the cause of death. In most cases, this happens within a few days. However, if the death is under investigation, requires an autopsy, or the cause of death is pending toxicology results, the certificate may be delayed by weeks or even months. In these situations, the funeral home or vital records office can sometimes issue a certificate with "pending" as the cause of death, which some institutions will accept temporarily.

Errors on death certificates are more common than you might think. An incorrect date of birth, misspelled name, wrong Social Security number, or incorrect marital status can create serious problems when trying to close accounts, file insurance claims, or transfer property.

If you spot an error:

1. Contact the funeral home first. For errors related to the personal information section (name, date of birth, Social Security number, marital status, etc.), the funeral home can often initiate the correction since they are the ones who completed that portion of the certificate.
2. For errors in the medical section (cause of death, time of death, manner of death), contact the certifying physician, medical examiner, or coroner. Only the certifying medical professional can amend this section.
3. File an amendment with the vital records office. The funeral home or medical professional will submit a correction to the state vital records office. Processing time for amendments varies — typically 2 to 8 weeks.
4. Order new certified copies once the amendment is processed. Your old copies with the error should no longer be used.

Check the death certificate carefully as soon as you receive it. Catching errors early saves time and prevents complications with banks, insurers, and government agencies that may reject a certificate with inaccurate information.

Most people don't know: If a bank or insurance company questions information on a death certificate, you may be able to provide supporting documentation (such as a birth certificate or Social Security card) to resolve the discrepancy without needing to amend the death certificate itself. This can save weeks of processing time.

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