Where to Request a Death Certificate in Tennessee

You request a death certificate from the Tennessee Department of Health, Vital Records Section, not from a county office or funeral home. The Vital Records Section maintains all death records filed in Tennessee and is the only office that can issue certified copies. You can request by mail, in person, or online through their official portal.

The mailing address is: Tennessee Department of Health, Vital Records Section, 665 Mainstream Drive, Nashville, TN 37243. If you are in Nashville, you can visit in person at that same address during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., closed state holidays). Online requests go through the state's VitalChek portal, which processes orders and mails certificates to you.

Key Takeaways

  • The Tennessee Department of Health, Vital Records Section is the only office that issues death certificates, and you can request by mail, in person, or online.
  • You will need the full name of the deceased, date of death, and place of death; if you do not know the exact date, provide the month and year.
  • Certified copies cost $15 each (by mail or in person) or $18.50 (online through VitalChek), and processing takes 5 to 10 business days by mail or 1 to 2 business days in person.
  • You do not need to prove your relationship to the deceased to request a death certificate in Tennessee — anyone can order one.
  • If the death occurred before 1949, contact the county clerk in the county where the death happened, because older records are kept locally.

What Information You Need to Provide

When you request a death certificate, have the deceased person's full name ready, along with their date of death and the city or county where they died. If you do not know the exact date, the month and year is enough to start a search. The Vital Records Section will look up the record using this information.

You do not need to provide your relationship to the deceased or explain why you need the certificate. Tennessee law allows anyone to request a death certificate without restriction. If you are ordering for a minor or on behalf of someone else, you still only need the deceased's information, not proof of your authority.

How to Order by Mail

Fill out the process for Vital Records form, which you can read from the Tennessee Department of Health website or request by phone at (615) 741-0778. Write the deceased's full name, date of death, place of death, and the number of certified copies you need. Include a check or money order for $15 per copy, made payable to "Tennessee Department of Health."

Mail the completed form and payment to: Tennessee Department of Health, Vital Records Section, 665 Mainstream Drive, Nashville, TN 37243. Processing takes 5 to 10 business days from the date they receive your request. You can call the Vital Records Section to confirm they received your order, but do not expect a status update until the certificates are ready to mail.

How to Order in Person or Online

If you visit the Vital Records Section office in Nashville, bring the deceased's full name, date of death, and place of death. You can pay with cash, check, or card. In-person requests are processed the same day or within 1 to 2 business days, and you can often pick up your certificates before you leave if the record is found quickly.

To order online, go to the VitalChek website (vitalchek.com) and select Tennessee. Follow the prompts to enter the deceased's information and choose how many copies you need. The fee is $18.50 per copy plus a VitalChek processing fee. Certificates ordered online are mailed to your address and arrive within 5 to 10 business days. VitalChek accepts credit and debit cards only.

Death Records Before 1949

If the death occurred before January 1, 1949, the record is held by the county clerk in the county where the death happened, not by the state Vital Records Section. Contact the clerk's office in that county directly by phone or mail to request the certificate. County clerk offices have different fees and processing times, so ask about both when you call.

To find the correct county clerk, search online for "[County Name] Tennessee Clerk" or call the Tennessee Secretary of State's office at (615) 741-2286 for a referral. Some county records from this period may be incomplete or difficult to locate, so be prepared to provide as much detail as you can about the deceased and the date of death.

What Happens If the Record Cannot Be Found

If the Vital Records Section searches and does not find a record, they will send you a letter stating that no record was found. This does not mean the death did not happen — it may mean the death was never filed, was filed in a different county, or the record was lost. Ask the Vital Records Section whether they can provide a "search result letter" that states no record was found; some organizations accept this as proof of death.

If you believe the record exists but was not found, call the Vital Records Section at (615) 741-0778 and describe what you know about the death. They can advise whether to search again with different information, contact the county clerk, or pursue other options. If the death occurred in another state, you will need to contact that state's vital records office instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many copies should I order?

Order at least 3 to 5 copies. Banks, insurance companies, Social Security, and probate courts often each need their own certified copy, and you may need extras for other purposes. It is cheaper to order multiple copies at once than to reorder later.

Can I get a death certificate the same day?

Yes, if you visit the Vital Records Section office in Nashville in person. Bring the deceased's full name, date of death, and place of death, and payment. Processing usually takes 1 to 2 business days, but some records are found and printed while you wait.

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

Provide the month and year, and the Vital Records Section will search that period. If you only know the year, they can still search, but it may take longer. Call (615) 741-0778 before mailing to confirm they have enough information to locate the record.

Do I need to prove I am related to the deceased?

No. Tennessee allows anyone to request a death certificate without proving your relationship or explaining why you need it. You only need the deceased's name, date of death, and place of death.

What if the death was never reported to the state?

Some deaths, especially very old ones or those that occurred outside a hospital or medical setting, may never have been filed. If the Vital Records Section cannot find a record, ask for a search result letter. You may also need to contact the county clerk or explore other documentation like obituaries, funeral home records, or court documents.