Where to order a death certificate online

Most death certificates are ordered from the vital records office in the state or county where the death occurred, not from a national database. Each state runs its own vital records system, and many now offer online ordering through their official website. You will need to know the state and county where the person died to find the right office.

Start by searching "[state name] vital records" or "[state name] death certificate" in your web browser. This takes you to the state health department's vital records page. From there, look for a link labeled "order online," "request a certificate," or "vital records request." Some states use a third-party vendor to handle online orders, so you may be redirected to a separate website—this is normal and still official.

If the death occurred in a major city, you may also be able to order directly from the city or county vital records office instead of the state office. City offices sometimes process orders faster. Search "[city name] vital records" to see if your city has its own online system.

Key Takeaways

  • Death certificates are issued by the state or county where the death occurred, and you must order from that specific location's vital records office.
  • Most state vital records offices now accept online orders through their official website, though processing times vary from a few days to several weeks.
  • You will need the full name of the deceased, the date of death, and the place of death to complete an online order.
  • Certified copies cost between $15 and $35 depending on the state, and you typically pay by credit card or debit card during the online order.
  • If you cannot find an online option, you can mail a written request to the vital records office, though this takes longer than ordering online.

What information you need before ordering

Before you start an online order, gather these details about the person who died: their full legal name (first, middle, and last), the date of death, and the city and state where the death occurred. If you know the county, that helps too. Having this information ready prevents you from getting stuck partway through the order form.

You will also need to know your relationship to the deceased—most online forms ask whether you are a family member, attorney, funeral director, or other party. This determines whether you are allowed to order the certificate. Generally, when ready family members (spouse, parent, child, sibling) can order without restriction. More distant relatives or unrelated people may face limits on how many copies they can order or may need to provide additional proof of their relationship.

Have a valid photo ID ready as well. Some states require you to upload a copy of your ID during the online order, while others ask for it only if you are ordering by mail. Check the state's requirements before you start.

How to complete an online death certificate order

Once you are on the state or county vital records website, look for the button or link to order a death certificate. Click it and you will see a form asking for the deceased person's information. Fill in their full name, date of death, and place of death exactly as you know it. If you are unsure of the exact spelling or date, enter what you know—the vital records office will search their records and contact you if they need clarification.

Next, the form will ask how many certified copies you want. Order at least two or three copies. Certified copies are official documents with a raised seal or security features that prove they came from the vital records office. Many organizations—banks, insurance companies, courts—will not accept photocopies or uncertified versions. Having extra copies on hand saves you from ordering again later.

The form will then ask for your contact information and your relationship to the deceased. Enter your phone number and email address so the vital records office can reach you if they have questions. Select your relationship from the dropdown menu. Finally, choose your delivery method. Most states offer standard mail (7 to 14 business days) or expedited mail (3 to 5 business days) for an extra fee. Some also offer in-person pickup if you live near the vital records office.

Review your order one more time before submitting. Then enter your payment information—most sites accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. You will receive a confirmation email with your order number. Save this email.

Processing times and what to expect

Standard processing for an online death certificate order typically takes 7 to 14 business days from the date you submit. Expedited processing, where available, usually takes 3 to 5 business days but costs extra—typically $10 to $20 more per certificate. A few states offer rush service for an additional fee, which can bring processing down to 1 to 2 business days, though this is less common.

The timeline starts from when the vital records office receives and processes your order, not from when you submit it online. If you order on a Friday evening, processing time begins on Monday. Holidays and weekends do not count toward processing time.

You will receive your certificates by mail at the address you provided during checkout. Track your order using the confirmation number from your email if the state's website offers tracking. If you do not receive your certificates within the stated timeframe, contact the vital records office using the phone number on your confirmation email.

Costs and payment methods

A certified death certificate costs between $15 and $35 per copy, depending on the state. Most states charge a flat rate per certificate, though a few charge less for the first copy and more for additional copies ordered at the same time. Check the state's website for the exact price before you submit your order.

Expedited processing adds $10 to $25 to your total, depending on the state and how fast you need the certificate. Rush service, where available, costs even more. All online orders are paid by credit card or debit card at the time you submit your request. You will see the total cost before you enter your payment information, so there are no surprise charges.

Some states offer discounts if you order multiple certificates at once. For example, ordering three copies at the same time may cost less per certificate than ordering one copy three separate times. The online form will show you the total cost for the number of copies you select.

What to do if you cannot find an online option

A small number of counties and states do not yet offer online ordering. If the vital records office website does not have an online order button, you can request a death certificate by mail. read the request form from the website (usually labeled "death certificate request form" or "vital records request form"), fill it out by hand or on your computer, and mail it to the address listed on the form along with a check or money order for the fee.

Mail requests take longer—typically 3 to 4 weeks—because the vital records office must receive your letter, process it, and mail the certificate back to you. Include a copy of your photo ID with your mailed request if the office requires it. Write your phone number and email on the form so they can contact you if they have questions.

If you need the certificate urgently and the office does not offer online ordering or expedited mail service, call the vital records office directly. Some offices will accept phone orders and process them faster than mail requests, though they may charge a higher fee for this service.

Common mistakes to avoid

The most common mistake is ordering from the wrong state or county. Double-check that you are ordering from the vital records office in the state where the death occurred, not where the person lived before they died. If someone died while traveling or living in a different state, you must order from that state's office.

Another frequent error is entering the deceased person's name incorrectly. If the name on the death certificate differs from how you normally spell it—for example, a middle name you were not familiar with, or a nickname instead of a legal first name—the search may not find a match. If you are unsure, order one copy first and contact the vital records office if they cannot locate the record. They can tell you the exact name on file.

Do not order just one copy if you think you will need more later. Ordering multiple copies at once is cheaper and faster than placing separate orders. Most people need at least two or three copies for banks, insurance companies, and court documents.

Finally, do not assume an online order is complete just because you submitted the form. Check your email for a confirmation message with an order number. If you do not receive a confirmation within a few hours, contact the vital records office to confirm your order went through.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a death certificate ordered online?

Standard processing takes 7 to 14 business days from when the vital records office receives your order. Expedited service, where available, takes 3 to 5 business days for an extra fee. The exact timeline depends on the state and how busy the vital records office is at the time you order.

Can I order a death certificate for someone who is not a close relative?

It depends on the state and your relationship to the deceased. when ready family members can almost always order without restriction. More distant relatives or unrelated people may face limits on the number of copies they can order or may need to provide proof of their relationship or a reason for requesting the certificate. Check your state's requirements on the vital records website.

What if the vital records office cannot find the death record?

Contact the vital records office by phone using the number on your confirmation email. They can search their records manually and may ask you for additional information like the deceased person's date of birth or maiden name. If the death occurred very recently, the record may not yet be entered into the system—wait a few days and try again.

Can I pick up a death certificate in person instead of having it mailed?

Many state and county vital records offices offer in-person pickup if you live nearby. Select this option during checkout on the online order form. You will receive an email when the certificate is ready, and you can pick it up at the office during business hours. This is usually faster than waiting for mail delivery.

Do I need a certified copy or will a photocopy work?

Most organizations require a certified copy with an official seal or security features. Photocopies are not accepted for legal or financial matters like insurance claims, bank accounts, or court documents. Always order certified copies unless the organization specifically tells you a photocopy is acceptable.