The informant is the person who reported the death to the vital records office
Informant on a death certificate is the name of whoever gave the information to the person filling out the certificate — usually a funeral director, hospital staff member, or medical examiner. The informant is not necessarily the person who found the body, witnessed the death, or made the 911 call. They are straightforward the source of the facts written on the form.
In most cases, the informant is a family member, often the next of kin or someone present at the time of death. At a hospital, it might be a nurse or doctor. At a nursing home, it might be a staff member. The informant's job is to answer questions about the deceased's full name, date of birth, parents' names, occupation, and other details needed to complete the certificate.
The informant's name and relationship to the deceased appear in a specific section of the death certificate. This information is public record in most states, though some states restrict access to death certificates for a period after the death occurs.
Key Takeaways
- The informant is whoever provided the factual information used to fill out the death certificate, not necessarily a witness to the death.
- Informants are usually family members, hospital staff, or nursing home employees present at or shortly after the time of death.
- The informant's name and relationship to the deceased are recorded on the certificate as part of the public record.
- Different states have different rules about who can serve as an informant and how long the informant's information remains private.
Who can be listed as an informant
Most states allow any adult with knowledge of the deceased's personal information to serve as an informant. In practice, this means a spouse, adult child, parent, sibling, or other close relative. If no family member is available, a hospital administrator, funeral director, or medical examiner can provide the information instead.
Some states have a legal order of preference — for example, requiring the next of kin to be the informant if they are present, with hospital staff as a backup. Other states are more flexible. The person filling out the certificate (usually a funeral director or vital records clerk) will ask whoever is available and able to answer the questions accurately.
In cases where the death is sudden, suspicious, or unattended, a medical examiner or coroner may be listed as the informant because they are the only person with reliable information about the cause and circumstances of death.
Why the informant's name appears on the certificate
The informant's name is recorded so that anyone reviewing the certificate later — a genealogist, an insurance company, a court, or a government agency — can see where the information came from. If there is a discrepancy or question about the facts on the certificate, the informant can potentially be contacted to clarify.
This is especially important for historical records. A death certificate filled out by a family member who was present may be more reliable than one filled out by a hospital employee who did not know the deceased. The informant's relationship to the deceased gives context to the information's reliability.
In some cases, the informant's information is the only source available. If the deceased had no identification, no family, and no medical records, the informant's account of the person's name, age, and background may be the only documentation that exists.
How to find the informant's information on your copy
When you receive a certified copy of a death certificate, look for a section labeled "Informant" or "Source of Information." This section will show the informant's name, their relationship to the deceased (spouse, child, parent, friend, hospital staff, etc.), and sometimes their address at the time of death.
The location of this information varies slightly by state. On some certificates it appears near the top, on others near the bottom. If you are unsure where to find it, the vital records office in the state where the death occurred can point you to the right section.
If you need to contact the informant or verify information they provided, you can request the full certificate from the vital records office. Some states include contact details; others do not. The funeral home that handled the arrangements may also have a record of who provided the information.
When the informant information is restricted or unavailable
Some states keep death certificates private for a set period after death — often 25 to 50 years — which means the informant's information is not available to the public during that time. Only when ready family, legal representatives, or people with a documented need can see the certificate.
In other cases, the informant's information may be incomplete or missing. If the certificate was filed hastily or if the person filling it out did not record the informant's details, that section may be blank. This is more common with older certificates or deaths that occurred in rural areas or small towns.
If you are trying to locate the informant and the information is not on your copy of the certificate, contact the vital records office in the state where the death occurred. They may have additional details in their files, or they can tell you whether the information is restricted.
How informant information differs from other certificate details
The informant is different from the person who certified the death. The certifier is usually a doctor or medical examiner who determined the cause of death. The informant is the person who provided biographical information about the deceased.
The informant is also different from the funeral director, though the funeral director is often the person who collected the information from the informant and submitted the certificate to the vital records office. The funeral director's name may appear elsewhere on the certificate as the person who filed it.
Understanding these different roles helps you read the certificate accurately. If you see a name you do not recognize in the informant field, it does not mean that person was responsible for the death or had any role other than providing factual information about the deceased's identity and background.
What to do if the informant information seems wrong
If you believe the informant listed on a death certificate is incorrect, or if the information they provided is inaccurate, you can file a correction with the vital records office. Most states allow family members or legal representatives to request an amendment to a death certificate.
The process usually requires submitting a written request, proof of your relationship to the deceased, and evidence of what the correct information should be. The vital records office will review your request and either approve it or ask for more documentation. This can take several weeks.
If the informant provided false information intentionally, that is a separate legal matter. Contact the vital records office or the state attorney general's office to report suspected fraud or falsification of a death certificate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I find out who the informant is if I have a death certificate?
Yes. The informant's name and relationship to the deceased are listed on the death certificate itself. If you have a certified copy, look for the "Informant" section. If your copy does not show this information, the vital records office can provide a more complete version.
Is the informant always a family member?
No. While family members are the most common informants, hospital staff, nursing home employees, medical examiners, and other people present at the time of death can also serve as informants. The person filling out the certificate uses whoever has reliable information.
Can I request a death certificate without the informant's name on it?
No. The informant's information is part of the official record and cannot be removed from certified copies. Some states do restrict access to death certificates for a period of time, which limits who can see the informant's details, but you cannot order a version without that information.
What if I disagree with what the informant said about the deceased?
You can file a correction request with the vital records office. You will need to provide evidence of what the correct information should be and proof of your relationship to the deceased. The office will review your request and decide whether to amend the certificate.
Does the informant have to sign the death certificate?
Requirements vary by state. Some states require the informant's signature; others do not. The person filling out the certificate will tell the informant what is required. If you need to know whether a signature is present, check your certified copy or contact the vital records office.