Anyone can obtain a death certificate, but the process and cost depend on your relationship to the deceased and which state issued it

You do not need to be a family member to request a death certificate. Most states allow any person to order one, though some restrict who can receive a certified copy versus an informational copy. The key difference is that a certified copy has an official seal and is accepted by banks, courts, and government agencies. An informational copy is a plain printout with no seal and works only for personal records or genealogy research.

The state or county where the death occurred keeps the original record. You order from that specific location, not from a national database. If you do not know where the person died, you can search death records online through state vital statistics offices or genealogy websites, then contact the right county.

Key Takeaways

  • Most states issue death certificates to anyone who requests one, but some states limit certified copies to when ready family, employers, or people with a documented interest in the death.
  • You must order from the state or county where the death occurred, and you will need the person's full name, date of birth, and date of death to search for the record.
  • Certified copies with an official seal cost between $15 and $35 per copy depending on the state, and processing takes one to three weeks by mail or same-day in person.
  • If you cannot locate the death record in one state, the person may have died in a different state than where they lived, so checking multiple states may be necessary.

Who can order a certified copy versus an informational copy

Rules vary by state. Some states, like California and Texas, issue certified copies to anyone. Others, like New York and Florida, restrict certified copies to the spouse, parent, child, or sibling of the deceased, or to people with a court order or documented legal interest. If you do not fall into those categories in a restrictive state, you can usually still order an informational copy, which is cheaper and faster but has no official seal.

A few states, including Virginia and North Carolina, require you to state your relationship to the deceased on the order form. If you are a genealogy researcher or journalist, you may be asked to explain your purpose. Being honest about your reason—even if it is straightforward "family history research"—usually results in approval. Lying or omitting information can delay your order or result in a denial.

How to find which state or county holds the record

The death certificate is filed in the county where the person died, not where they lived. If you know the county, you can go directly to that county's vital records office. If you do not know it, start with the state vital statistics office website, which usually has a searchable death index going back several decades.

The National Center for Health Statistics maintains a list of links to every state's vital records office. You can also search FamilySearch.org or Ancestry.com, which have indexed millions of death records and will tell you the county and approximate date. Once you have the county, contact that county's vital records office by phone or through their website to order.

Ordering by mail, online, or in person

Most counties now accept orders online through their vital records portal. You fill out a form with the deceased's name, date of birth, date of death, and your relationship, then pay by credit card. Processing takes one to three weeks, and the certificate arrives by mail. Some counties charge extra for expedited service, which can cut the wait to five to seven business days.

If you need the certificate urgently, you can visit the county vital records office in person. Bring a photo ID and cash or check. Same-day service is usually available, though you may wait in line. A few large cities, like Los Angeles and Chicago, also offer walk-in service at satellite offices.

Ordering online is the fastest and most convenient option if you are not in a hurry. You avoid travel and can order from home. The downside is that you cannot ask questions in real time if something goes wrong with your order.

What information you need to provide

At minimum, you will need the deceased's full name as it appears on the death certificate, their date of birth, and their date of death. If you have only a partial name or approximate date, the vital records office may still be able to search, but it will take longer and may return multiple results.

You will also need to provide your own name, address, and phone number, and state your relationship to the deceased. Some counties ask why you need the certificate—for example, "settling an estate," "genealogy research," or "personal records." A straightforward answer is fine; you do not need to provide extensive detail.

Cost and how many copies to order

A certified copy costs between $15 and $35 per copy depending on the state. An informational copy costs less, usually $5 to $15. Most counties offer a discount if you order multiple copies at once, so if you think you will need more than one, order three or four. Banks, courts, and insurance companies often each require their own certified copy, so having extras on hand saves time and money.

Ordering five copies at once typically costs less than ordering one copy now and three more later. Ask the vital records office what their bulk pricing is before you submit your order.

What to do if the death record cannot be found

If the county vital records office cannot find the record, the person may have died in a different county or state than you expected. Ask the office to search a wider time range—sometimes the date of death you have is off by a year. If that does not work, try searching in neighboring counties or other states where the person had family or lived.

If the death occurred before vital records were required in that state—which varies by state but is usually before 1900—the record may not exist in the vital records system. In that case, you can search newspaper archives, cemetery records, or court documents instead. The county clerk or local historical society can point you toward those resources.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be related to the person to get their death certificate?

No. Most states issue death certificates to anyone who requests one. Some states limit certified copies to family members or people with a legal interest, but you can usually still order an informational copy. Check your state's vital records office website to see their specific rules.

How long does it take to get a death certificate?

By mail, one to three weeks is typical. In person at the vital records office, same-day service is usually available. Some counties offer expedited mail service for an extra fee, which can reduce the wait to five to seven business days.

What if I do not know the exact date of death?

Contact the vital records office and give them the approximate year or a range. They can search within that window. Providing the person's age at death or the county where they lived can also help narrow the search.

Can I order a death certificate online?

Most counties now accept online orders through their vital records portal. You fill out a form, pay by credit card, and the certificate is mailed to you. A few counties still require mail or in-person orders, so check your county's website first.

How many copies should I order?

Order at least three to five copies. Banks, insurance companies, courts, and government agencies often each require their own certified copy. Ordering multiple copies at once is cheaper than ordering one now and more later.