The informant is the person who reported the death to the vital records office
The informant on a death certificate is whoever gave the information to the person filling out the certificate — usually a funeral director, hospital staff member, or medical examiner. This is not the same as the person who caused the death. The informant is straightforward the source of the facts written on the form.
In most cases, the informant is a family member, but it can be anyone present at death or with direct knowledge of the person's identity and circumstances. The informant's name and relationship to the deceased appear in a specific box on the certificate so that anyone reading it later knows where those details came from.
Think of the informant line the way you would think of a source citation. It tells you who provided the information, not who the information is about.
Key Takeaways
- The informant is the person who reported facts about the death to whoever filled out the certificate, not the person responsible for the death.
- Informants are usually family members, but can be hospital staff, nursing home employees, or anyone else with direct knowledge of the deceased.
- The informant's name and relationship to the deceased appear in a dedicated section of the certificate for record-keeping purposes.
- If you need a copy of a death certificate, the informant information is printed on it but does not affect your right to obtain one.
Who typically serves as the informant
A spouse, adult child, or parent is the most common informant because they are usually present or available when ready after death. If none of these are available, a hospital social worker, nursing home administrator, or funeral director may provide the information instead.
In cases of sudden or unexpected death, a medical examiner or coroner's office may be the informant, since they are the ones gathering the facts. The key requirement is that the informant has direct knowledge — they either witnessed the death, discovered the body, or have reliable information about the person's identity and the circumstances.
If the death occurred in a hospital or care facility, staff there will usually contact the family to confirm details before the certificate is completed. The family member who answers those questions becomes the informant of record.
Where the informant information appears on the certificate
Most death certificates have a section labeled "Informant" or "Informant Information" that includes the informant's full name, their relationship to the deceased, their address, and sometimes their phone number. This section appears separately from the deceased's information and from the medical cause of death.
The location varies slightly by state, but it is always a distinct box or field. When you request a certified copy of a death certificate, this informant information will be printed on it. Some states allow you to request a version without the informant's address for privacy reasons, though the name and relationship usually remain.
Why the informant is recorded
Recording the informant serves two purposes: it creates a chain of custody for the information on the certificate, and it allows vital records offices to contact that person if questions arise about the facts listed.
If there is a discrepancy — for example, if the spelling of the deceased's name is wrong, or if the date of birth does not match other records — the vital records office may reach out to the informant to clarify. The informant is not responsible for the accuracy of medical information (that is the doctor's role), but they may be asked to confirm identity details or the circumstances of death.
What happens if the informant information is incorrect
If the informant's name, relationship, or contact information is wrong on the certificate, you can request a correction through your state's vital records office. The process varies by state, but usually involves submitting a form and sometimes providing documentation of the correct information.
Corrections to informant details are generally faster than corrections to other parts of the certificate, since they do not involve medical or legal questions. Contact your state's vital records office directly — they can tell you what form to use and what documentation they need.
If the informant is deceased or cannot be located, you can still request a correction. The vital records office will work with you or another family member to update the record.
The difference between informant and other roles on the certificate
A death certificate lists several different people in different roles, and it is straightforward to confuse them. The informant reported the facts. The attending physician or medical examiner determined and signed off on the cause of death. The funeral director may have filled out the form, but they are not listed as a named party — they are the person doing the paperwork.
The next of kin or person arranging the funeral is sometimes listed separately, and that may or may not be the same person as the informant. A funeral director might be the informant if the family was not present, but the next of kin would be whoever is making decisions about the funeral itself.
Understanding these roles helps you read the certificate correctly and know who to contact if you have questions about different parts of it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does being listed as the informant mean I am responsible for the information on the certificate?
No. The informant is the source of the facts, but not responsible for their accuracy. The attending physician is responsible for the cause of death, and the vital records office is responsible for the accuracy of identity information. If something is wrong, you can request a correction regardless of whether you were the informant.
Can I get a death certificate if I am not related to the deceased?
Yes, but the rules vary by state. Most states allow you to order a certificate if you have a direct interest — for example, if you are handling the estate, settling insurance, or have a legal reason. Being the informant does not determine who can order a copy; your relationship to the deceased and your reason for needing it do.
What if the informant gave wrong information?
You can request a correction through your state's vital records office. Provide documentation of the correct information if you have it. The office will contact the informant or other sources to verify the facts before approving the change.
Is the informant's address kept private?
Some states allow you to request a certified copy without the informant's address printed on it. Contact your state's vital records office to ask whether this option is available and what form you need to submit.