How to get a death certificate: A step-by-step guide

Losing someone you love can feel like a whirlwind. On top of coping with grief and other difficult emotions, you may also find yourself navigating a long to-do list that includes planning a funeral, closing or transferring accounts, and settling your loved one’s estate.

Before you can start tackling many of these tasks, you’ll first need one important document: A death certificate.

What is a death certificate?

A death certificate is a legal document that proves someone’s death. They’re typically prepared by a medical examiner or a funeral director, and contain important details about a person’s life and the nature of their death.

What information is on a death certificate?

Death certificates generally contain the following information about the person who passed away:

• Their full name
• Their social security number
• The date and time of their birth
• The date and time they died
• Where they died
• Their cause of death
• Their last recorded address
• Their spouse’s name (if they had one)
• Their parents’ names and birth dates

Once prepared, the city or county medical examiner will sign the certificate and submit it to the local vital records office.

What can someone do with a death certificate?

You need a death certificate to:

• Bury or cremate the person’s body. Proof of death is required before burying or cremating someone’s body.
• Claim benefits. To receive Medicaid, social security, or pension benefits from the deceased, you’ll need to file a claim and include a copy of their death certificate.
• Access financial accounts. Proof of death is one of the documents required to access someone’s bank or investment accounts.
• Start the probate process. Probate is the court-supervised process of distributing someone’s property according to their last will and testament. Probate can’t start until the court receives a death certificate verifying the person’s death.
• Notify creditors. A death certificate informs creditors and mortgage lenders of a person’s death. During probate, creditors and lenders can request payment from the deceased’s estate.
• Transfer non-probate assets. Some assets can bypass probate and transfer directly to a chosen beneficiary. These are known as non-probate assets and include life insurance policies, retirement accounts, and payable on death (POD) or transfer on death (TOD) accounts. If someone names you as the beneficiary of a non-probate asset, you need to submit a copy of their death certificate before the funds can be transferred to you.
• Transfer ownership of certain assets. You need a death certificate to transfer certain types of property (like a house or a car) to a new owner.

Who can get a copy of a death certificate?

In most states, only immediate family members (like a person’s spouse, children, parents, or siblings), beneficiaries listed in a will, and the executor or estate administrator can get a certified (or official) copy of someone’s death certificate. Certified copies are marked with an official state or county stamp.

Some states let anyone over the age of 18 get an informational (or unofficial) copy of a death certificate. Informational copies are only for personal records and can’t be used for legal purposes, like starting probate or claiming benefits from a life insurance policy.

How to get a death certificate

In most counties, you can get a certified copy of a death certificate in a few simple steps:

1. Gather necessary information. To request a copy of someone’s death certificate, you’ll need their full name, date of death, and last county of residence. Because many states only let immediate family and executors request certified copies, you’ll also need proof of your own identity (like a driver’s license or passport) and relationship to the deceased.
2. Go to the deceased’s local vital records office. Death certificates are filed at the vital records office in the city or county where the deceased lived. You may also be able to get copies from the funeral or mortuary director who prepared the person’s body.
3. Make your request. This could mean making a verbal request, or you may need to fill out a request form. Your request needs to include the deceased’s name, date of death, and your relationship to them. In some counties, you can download the form online and fill it out before you go to the vital records office, which can save time.
4. Pay a fee. When requesting a certified copy of someone’s death certificate, you have to pay a fee. The cost varies by county and typically ranges from $5 to $30 per copy.
5. Receive your copies. It usually takes two to four weeks to receive your copies of a death certificate after you’ve submitted your request.

Some jurisdictions have digitized their records, so you can request a copy of someone’s death certificate online. But most cities and counties still only have physical records, so you’ll have to request access in person.

It’s a good idea to contact the deceased’s local records office so you know exactly what information to bring and how much you’ll pay.

Frequently asked questions

Where do you get a death certificate?

You can get a death certificate at the deceased’s local vital records office or from their county’s department of health. You may also be able to get copies from the funeral or mortuary director who prepared the person’s body.

How long does it take to get a death certificate?

It generally takes two to four weeks to receive your copies of a death certificate. This timeline can vary depending on the size and workload of the county records office.

How much does a death certificate cost?

The cost of a death certificate varies by state. The first certified copy typically ranges from $5 to $30. In most cases, additional copies will cost less.  

How many death certificates do you need?

Ten certified copies of someone’s death certificate are usually enough to transfer the deceased’s accounts, probate their estate, and complete other necessary tasks.

Create peace of mind with a will

A death certificate is a legal document that proves a person has passed away. You can get a copy of someone’s death certificate from their local vital records office or the funeral home where their body was prepared.

Death certificates are required to access personal and financial accounts, transfer property ownership, and start the probate process. Dealing with these necessary tasks while coping with the loss of a loved one can be hard. Having a valid will can make things easier.

If you don’t have a will yet, there are many ways you can create one — including with FreeWill. With our free will-making tool, you can write your will in just 20 minutes. Simply follow the guided questionnaire, print your completed documents, and sign them according to your state laws to have a legally valid will today.