How to Get a Death Certificate: County-by-County Guide
When someone dies, you will need multiple certified copies of the death certificate for banks, insurance companies, the Social Security Administration, and other institutions. Find the vital records office for your county below, including costs, contact information, and whether you can order online.
Before You Order: What to Know
- 1.Order 10 to 15 copies. Banks, insurance companies, the SSA, and other institutions almost always require original certified copies, not photocopies. Ordering extras now is cheaper than reordering later.
- 2.The funeral home often handles this. Most funeral directors will order death certificates on your behalf as part of their services. Ask them before ordering on your own.
- 3.You can always order from the state. If your county office is difficult to reach, you can order from the state vital records office instead. Processing may take longer, but it is always an option.
- 4.Bring valid ID. You will need a government-issued photo ID and proof of your relationship to the deceased (marriage certificate, birth certificate, or court documents).
Find Your County
Showing 113 counties
Los Angeles County
CACook County
ILHarris County
TXMaricopa County
AZSan Diego County
CAOrange County
CAMiami-Dade County
FLDallas County
TXKings County (Brooklyn)
NYRiverside County
CAQueens County
NYKing County
WAClark County
NVSan Bernardino County
CATarrant County
TXBexar County
TXBroward County
FLSanta Clara County
CAWayne County
MIAlameda County
CAMiddlesex County
MANew York County (Manhattan)
NYSacramento County
CAPhiladelphia County
PASuffolk County
NYPalm Beach County
FLHillsborough County
FLOrange County
FLNassau County
NYBronx County
NYFranklin County
OHTravis County
TXHennepin County
MNOakland County
MICuyahoga County
OHAllegheny County
PASalt Lake County
UTWake County
NCMecklenburg County
NCContra Costa County
CAFairfax County
VACollin County
TXFulton County
GAMontgomery County
MDPima County
AZDuval County
FLFresno County
CADenton County
TXWestchester County
NYSt. Louis County
MOHonolulu County
HIPinellas County
FLMarion County
INPrince George's County
MDGwinnett County
GABergen County
NJFairfield County
CTErie County
NYMilwaukee County
WIShelby County
TNDuPage County
ILPierce County
WAKern County
CAHartford County
CTMacomb County
MIFort Bend County
TXHidalgo County
TXEl Paso County
TXNew Haven County
CTMiddlesex County
NJMontgomery County
PABaltimore County
MDEssex County
NJVentura County
CAHamilton County
OHSnohomish County
WASan Francisco County
CASuffolk County
MALee County
FLOklahoma County
OKSan Joaquin County
CACobb County
GADeKalb County
GAPolk County
FLSan Mateo County
CAEl Paso County
CONorfolk County
MAHudson County
NJDavidson County
TNLake County
ILDenver County
COWilliamson County
TXWill County
ILBernalillo County
NMJefferson County
ALTulsa County
OKArapahoe County
COBucks County
PAMonmouth County
NJOcean County
NJBrevard County
FLJefferson County
CODane County
WIStanislaus County
CARamsey County
MNGuilford County
NCSummit County
OHMontgomery County
OHAda County
IDRichmond County (Staten Island)
NYPinal County
AZLoudoun County
VAHenrico County
VAGeneral Guide to Ordering Death Certificates
Who Can Order a Death Certificate?
Eligibility varies by state, but the following people can typically request a certified copy:
- Surviving spouse or domestic partner
- Adult children of the deceased
- Parents of the deceased
- Siblings of the deceased
- Executor or administrator of the estate
- Funeral director (on behalf of the family)
- Legal representative or attorney
- Any person with a direct and tangible interest (in some states)
What You Will Need to Order
Requirements vary by office, but generally you should have:
- Government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID)
- Full legal name of the deceased
- Date of death (or approximate date)
- Place of death (city, county, and state)
- Social Security number of the deceased (if known)
- Your relationship to the deceased
- Purpose of the request
- Payment (check, money order, or credit card depending on the office)
Three Ways to Order
In Person (Fastest)
Visit the county vital records office during business hours. Many offices can issue copies the same day. Bring your ID and payment.
By Mail
Send a completed application with a photocopy of your ID and a check or money order. Processing typically takes 2 to 8 weeks.
Online
Many offices now accept online orders, often through third-party services like VitalChek. Expect an additional processing fee of $5 to $15 on top of the certificate cost.
Who Needs a Copy?
You will likely need to provide a certified death certificate to:
- Social Security Administration
- Life insurance companies
- Banks and financial institutions
- Retirement account providers (IRA, 401k)
- The probate court
- Department of Motor Vehicles
- Credit card companies
- Mortgage and loan servicers
- Health insurance providers
- Employers and pension administrators
- The IRS (for the final tax return)
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a death certificate?
You can get a certified death certificate from the vital records office in the county where the death occurred, or from the state vital records office. Most offices accept requests in person, by mail, and online. You will need to provide identification and proof of your relationship to the deceased.
How much does a death certificate cost?
Death certificate costs vary by state and county, typically ranging from $5 to $25 per certified copy. Florida has some of the lowest costs at $5 per copy, while states like Georgia and New Jersey charge $25 per copy. The average cost across the counties we cover is about $17per copy. Most families need 10 to 15 copies.
How many death certificates do I need?
Most families need 10 to 15 certified copies. You will need them for banks, insurance companies, the Social Security Administration, the DMV, credit card companies, retirement accounts, and other institutions. It is cheaper to order extras upfront than to request more copies later.
Who can order a death certificate?
Eligibility varies by state, but generally the following people can order a death certificate: the surviving spouse or domestic partner, children, parents, siblings, the executor or administrator of the estate, a funeral director, or a legal representative. Some states allow any person with a direct and tangible interest.
How long does it take to get a death certificate?
If you request in person at the local vital records office, you can often get copies the same day or within a few business days. Mail requests typically take 2 to 8 weeks depending on the state. Some states offer expedited processing for an additional fee.
Can I get a death certificate online?
Many counties and states now offer online ordering, either directly through their website or through authorized services like VitalChek. Online orders typically include a convenience fee of $5 to $15 in addition to the certificate cost. Check our county listings above to see if your county offers online ordering.
What is the difference between a certified and informational copy?
A certified copy has an official raised seal or stamp and is accepted by government agencies, banks, and insurance companies as legal proof of death. An informational copy is marked "not valid for legal purposes" and cannot be used for official business. Always order certified copies unless you only need the information for personal reference.
County Not Listed?
This database covers the 100 most populous US counties. If your county is not listed above, you can always order death certificates from your state vital records office. Visit our state-by-state guide to find the vital records office for your state.
You can also contact the CDC's "Where to Write" page which lists the vital records office for every US state and territory.
Need help with everything else, too?
Ordering death certificates is just one of many steps after someone dies. Our personalized guide helps you through all of them, from notifying Social Security to closing accounts and handling the estate.
Get Your Personalized Guide