How to Get a Death Certificate in the US

The death certificate is the most important document you will need in the weeks after a loss. Without it, you cannot access bank accounts, collect life insurance, transfer property, or complete most administrative tasks. Getting enough certified copies quickly is one of the highest-leverage steps you can take early on. Here's everything you need to know.

What a Death Certificate Is

A death certificate is an official legal document issued by a state or local government that records the fact of a person's death. It includes:

Full legal name, date of birth, and date of death
Place of death and place of residence
Cause of death and manner of death (natural, accident, homicide, suicide, undetermined)
Certifying physician's or coroner's information
Informant information (usually the next of kin or funeral home)

The Two Types: Certified vs. Informational Copies

Not all death certificate copies are equal:

Certified copy: A government-sealed, official copy with a raised seal or security paper. This is what banks, insurance companies, courts, and most institutions require. Typically costs $10–$25 per copy depending on state.
Informational copy: A regular photocopy or non-certified version. Accepted for some administrative purposes but not for legal or financial transactions. Some states only issue certified copies and do not issue informational ones.

Order certified copies for everything that matters. Getting additional certified copies later is possible but takes time. Order more than you think you need.

How Many Copies Do You Need?

A common recommendation is to order at least 10–12 certified copies. You'll need one for:

Each bank or financial institution
Each life insurance policy
Social Security Administration
Pension or retirement account claims
Vehicle title transfer (at the DMV)
Real estate title transfer (at the county recorder)
Probate court filing
Credit bureaus (for placing deceased alerts)
Federal and state tax filings
VA benefits (if applicable)
Each state government agency that requires notification

Keeping several extra copies is wise. Many families find they need 15 or more. Ordering in bulk upfront is cheaper and faster than ordering additional copies later.

Who Prepares the Death Certificate

The death certificate is typically prepared by the funeral home, working with the attending physician (or medical examiner/coroner). The process is:

The funeral home collects personal information from the family (name, date of birth, address, occupation, parents' names, etc.) — usually at the arrangement meeting
The physician certifies the cause of death
The funeral home files the completed certificate with the vital records office
Certified copies are issued by the state or county vital records office

The funeral home will typically order certified copies on your behalf. Tell them how many you need. This is included in most funeral home services.

How to Get Certified Copies

Through the funeral home

The simplest method. Ask the funeral home director to order the number of certified copies you need. They will include this in their services. Copies typically arrive within 1–2 weeks of the death.

Directly from the state or county vital records office

You can order additional certified copies directly from the vital records office:

In person at the local vital records office (typically the fastest)
By mail with a completed application, payment, and proof of identity
Online through your state's vital records website (many states offer this)
Through third-party services like VitalChek (a licensed government partner)

Turnaround times vary by state and county — typically 1–6 weeks for mail orders, faster for in-person or online with expedite options.

Who Can Obtain a Death Certificate

Certified death certificates are restricted documents — not everyone can obtain them. Typically authorized to request:

Immediate family members (spouse, children, parents, siblings)
Legal representatives (executor, attorney)
Government agencies with a legitimate need

You will need to provide identification and documentation of your relationship or authority.

What If There's a Delay?

Sometimes the cause of death is pending investigation (medical examiner cases) or there are administrative delays. You can often obtain a pending death certificate — a legal document acknowledging the death while cause of death is listed as "pending investigation." Many institutions will accept a pending certificate for immediate purposes while you await the final certificate.

Correcting Errors on a Death Certificate

Errors occasionally occur — misspelled names, incorrect dates, wrong information. Contact the vital records office promptly to begin the correction process. The process varies by state but typically involves an amendment form signed by the funeral home and/or physician. Errors should be corrected as soon as possible because they can cause problems with legal and financial transactions.

For an overview of all documents to gather after a death, see our searching for documents guide. For the first steps immediately after a death, see our first 24 hours guide.