No Matter Which Way You Choose To Apply There Are 3 Main Steps:
Check to ensure the person applying is eligible to apply under state law |
Complete and sign the application. Include photocopies of any supportive documentation needed to establish eligibility. |
Pay the appropriate fee |
Note:
- All documents submitted will be reviewed and verified before we are able to fulfill the service request.
- All non-English language documents submitted as evidentiary supporting documentation must be accompanied by a certified translation, please. No exceptions. Thank you.
What Is A Certified Copy Of A Death Certificate
A certified copy of a death certificate is another official document that validates the death of the deceased. It is registered at the county or states vital records office, and includes a raised seal with a signature of the Local Registrar. This document is crucial for handling the settling of a decedents estate or claiming insurance benefits.
Vital Records Central Office
New Orleans VItal Records Walk-In Services are currently available by using VitalChek ordering and choosing the “Will Call” option for delivery. Customers will receive an email once the order has been processed and is ready to be picked up.
Walk-in Service Hours: 8:00 A.M. to 3:30 P.M.
You may complete an application for a certified copy of a death certificate, bring your photo identification and correct fees to the Vital Records Central Office. Walk-in services accepts cash, check, money order, and credit/debit cards as forms of payment.
Please fill out an application to obtain a certified death certificate.
Clerks of Court
Participating Louisiana Clerks of Court offer certified copies of Louisiana Death Certificates for deaths occurring on or after July 7 2012. There is an additional fee for this servic
Vital Records Kiosks
Kiosk Service Locations Hours of Operation: 8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.
You may also order in person from a kiosk service location. Kiosk orders require the user to successfully complete an identity authentication screening. Once the kiosk order is placed, the order is shipped via USPS or expedited shipping, or made available for pickup at Vital Records Central Office. A security fee and shipping costs apply to kiosk orders.
You may mail your completed request, a copy of your photo identification and correct fees to:
Vital Records RegistryPO Box 60630New Orleans, LA 70160
INTERNET, FAX AND TELEPHONE
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How Do I Pick Up A Certificate At Will Call
“Will Call” pickup service is available for online and phone orders only. When you complete your order online or over the phone with our partner VitalChek, you can choose between receiving records by mail or through pick-up at “Will Call” within two business days.
“Will Call” orders will receive two emails: “Order Received” and “Order Processed/Ready for Pickup.” Once the order is ready, you can schedule a time to pick up the order at one of three Vital Records locations within the state – Oklahoma City, Tulsa nd McAlester.
Applicant must bring a photo ID and the order confirmation.
Will Call Hours 2:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. | Monday Friday
I Want To Change The Death Certificate

Visit our Change a Death Record to learn how to request changes to a death record.
- One death certificate costs $13.
- Fees for death certificates are the same at all vital records offices statewide.
- Vital records offices will not process requests for certificates without payment in full.
- Your payment must cover the certificates and services you request.
- Payment options vary from county to county. Some counties may not accept payment by credit card.
- Fees are non-refundable. Minnesota Statutes, section 144.226
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How Long Does It Take To Get A Death Certificate
In order to get a copy of the death certificate, someone first needs to prepare and file it with the vital records division of the state health department before you can request copies, which means getting a death certificate can take at least two weeks.
Most people dont complete a family member or loved one’s death certificate themselves instead, its prepared by funeral director working in conjunction with a medical professional who confirms the time and place of death.
How Much Does A Certified Copy Of A Death Certificate Cost
The fee for the search of a death certificate is $15.00 and will include the issuance of one certified copy to a qualified applicant if the certificate is on file. Additional copies will be issued at a cost of $15.00 each. The searching fee is not refundable or transferable. All fees expire one year from the receipt date.
Please make your check or money order payable to OSDH.
Corrections or additions to death certificates will require additional fees and the submission of required documentation. Instructions and assessment of fees will be made on an individual basis after your application has been received and reviewed.
Death Certificates |
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Nature Of A Certificate
Before issuing a death certificate, the authorities usually require a certificate from a physician or coroner to validate the cause of death and the identity of the deceased. In cases where it is not completely clear that a person is dead , a neurologist is often called in to verify brain death and to fill out the appropriate documentation. The failure of a physician to immediately submit the required form to the government is often both a crime and cause for loss of one’s license to practice. This is because of past cases in which dead people continued to receive public benefits or voted in elections.
A full explanation of the cause of death includes any other diseases and disorders the person had at the time of death, even though they did not directly cause the death.
What Is A Death Certificate
Before we teach you how to obtain a death certificate, letâs discuss a crucial question: What is a death certificate?
A death certificateânot to be confused with a pronouncement of deathâis a document issued by a local authority confirming that a person has died. Death certificates vary in appearance by jurisdiction, but they usually list the following information:
- The deceasedâs legal name
- Their age and date of birth
- Their last legal address and city, county, and state of residence
- The names of any minor children
- The cause of death
- The names of next of kin
Once you file for a certified death certificate and the request is completed by your local authorities, you should request certified copies of the certificate from your courthouse or vital records office. While one of these institutions will store the original certificate for safekeeping, a certified copy will allow you to prove that your loved one has passed while you manage their affairs.
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Who Is Eligible To Get A Copy Of A Death Certificate
- The spouse, parent, child or sibling of the deceased
- Other people who have a:
- documented lawful right or claim
- documented medical need
- New York State Court Order
If you are not the spouse, parent, child or sibling of the deceased you must document a lawful right or claim. For example, you may need a death certificate to claim a benefit. You would need an official letter from the agency saying you need the death record to process the claim.
What identification needs to be submitted by the applicant?
Application must be submitted with copies of either A or B:
Walk-in Services ARE CANCELLED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
Third Party Pickup
We do not encourage third party pickups. If you are unable to come to our office yourself, we recommend that you order your certificate by mail or via internet or telephone. More information about third party pickup.
Who Can Get A Copy Of The Death Certificate
Not everyone can obtain a copy of the death certificate. Usually only certain people can request this record with few questions asked:
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Executor or administrator of the estate
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Immediate family member
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Funeral director
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Government agency
Ultimately, each state decides who can get a copy of the death certificate, and what type theyre entitled to. Check with your local vital records office to find out.
Additionally, to make sure the right people are managing your estate after you’re gone, you should nominate an executor in your will.
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Apostille And Exemplified Copies
Apostille and Exemplified copies of vital records are routinely required for foreign use. The Apostille and Exemplified copies consist of an Alabama birth, death, marriage, or divorce certificate signed by the State Registrar and an additional certification signed by the Alabama Secretary of State. Certain restrictions apply to Apostille and Exemplified copies of birth and death certificates. For more information on Apostille and Exemplified copies, view the Apostille and Exemplified page.
If The Person Who Died Had No Relatives

The death must be registered by a qualified informant. This is usuallya close family member of the person who has died, but can also be:
- A relative of the deceased person
- Someone who lived with the deceased person
- The deceased persons personal representative
- A person who was present at the death
- An official of the hospital or institution where the person died
- A person who found the body or took charge of that body
- The person who arranged the funeral
- Any other person who has knowledge of the death and knows the details needed to register the death
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Who Is Entitled To A Death Certificate
To protect the identity and privacy of citizens of the District of Columbia, DC Health restricts access to death certificates that arent in the public record.
However, you ARE entitled if you are a:
How To Get Copies Of A Death Certificate
Where can you obtain certified copies of a death certificate? The simplest way is to order them through the funeral home or mortuary at the time of the death. If you’re in charge of winding up the deceased person’s affairs, you should ask for at least 10 copies. You will need one each time you claim property or benefits that belonged to the deceased person, including life insurance proceeds, Social Security benefits, payable on death accounts , veterans benefits, and many others.
If it’s been some time since the death and you need to order death certificates yourself, contact the county or state vital records office. For deaths that occurred within the past few months, you should start with the county office, because it is more likely to have the certificate on file. After a few months have passed, the state office will probably have it, too.
To get a certified copy of a death certificate, you can usually fill out a request form provided by your vital records office. If there isn’t one, you’ll likely have to provide information such as:
- Name of the deceased person
- Name of the deceased’s parents
- Last address of the deceased person
- Your relationship to the deceased person
In some states, like Connecticut, you’ll have to provide proof of your relationship to the deceased person in others, like California, you will have to submit a sworn statement with your request that states you’re the executor of the deceased person’s estate or a close family member.
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How To Order A Death Certificate In King County
New vital records law
Beginning on January 1, 2021, a new vital records law goes into effect that changes the ordering requirements for death certificates. For increased security of personal information, only individuals with specific relationships to the person on the death record being requested can receive a death certificate. Identity and proof documentation will be required.
As COVID-19 restrictions ease, the King County Vital Statistics Office is open on a limited basis from 1:00-3:00 pm, Monday – Friday for pick-up ONLY of pre-ordered Will Call Request at 201 S Jackson St. Seattle, WA 98104. Birth and death certificates may continue to be ordered online, by mail or over the phone. Specialists are available to answer questions over the phone at 206-897-4551 during the hours of 9:30 am – 4:00 pm. More information regarding Will Call and all other services can be found on this site.
Funeral home hours
The King County Vital Statistics Office is open to funeral home staff for 2 hours during the day between 1:00-3:00 Monday – Friday.
- All persons who died in Seattle city limits
- All persons who died in King County from 1944 to the present
- All Washington State deaths that were filed electronically
For any other deaths that occurred in Washington, visit the Washington State Center for Health Statistics website or call them at 360-236-4300 or toll-free, 800-525-0127.
To purchase a death certificate, you must:
Certificate fees
Payment by credit card:
Redirecting Post After Someone’s Death
You can redirect the post of someone who has died by filling in a ‘special circumstances’ form and taking it to your local Post Office – you cant do it online or by post. The Post Office will need to see a death certificate or proof of power of attorney.
Youll have to pay a fee to redirect the post – you can find out how much it will cost on the Royal Mail website.
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How To Order A Death Certificate Online In South Africa
If you would like to order a death certificate online in South Africa, there are a few steps that you need to take. First, you will need to find the correct website. There are many websites that offer this service, so it can be a little confusing to choose one. Once you have found the website, you will need to fill out the information required on the form. This includes your name, address, and contact information. You will then need to submit the form and payment. Depending on how much information is included on the form, it may take between two and four weeks for the death certificate to be delivered.
Is A Death Certificate Public Record
Death certificates are a public record of a persons death and are available to the general public, however, certified copies are typically only reserved for immediate family members. Since each state manages and archives their own death certificates, you will need to contact the city or town clerk where the death was recorded or contact the states department of health, which also has a recording of this vital record.
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Provide Information About The Deceased To The Funeral Director
Someone close to the decedent must provide personal details to the funeral director. This information includes the deceaseds name, sex, Social Security number, deceaseds last known address, mothers maiden name, fathers name, veteran status, marital status and information about the surviving spouse, job occupation and industry.
When A Coroner Is Needed

Anyone who is unhappy about the cause of a death can inform a coroner about it, but in most cases a death will be reported to a coroner by a doctor or the police.
A coroner is a doctor or lawyer appointed by a local authority to investigate certain deaths. They’re completely independent of the authority and has a separate office and staff. You will find the address of your local coroner’s office in the telephone directory.
A coroner can investigate a death if the body is in their district, even though the death took place somewhere else, for example, abroad.
A death must always be reported to a coroner in the following situations:
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the person’s doctor had not seen them in the 28 days before they died or immediately afterwards
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a doctor had not looked after, seen or treated the person during their last illness
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the cause of death is unknown or uncertain
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the death was violent or unnatural
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the death was in any way suspicious
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the death took place during surgery or recovery from an anaesthetic
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the death took place in prison or police custody
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the death was caused by an industrial disease.
For more information about post-mortems and your rights to know what happens with organs and tissue, go to the Human Tissue Authority website at www.hta.gov.uk.
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Need Information On Deaths That Occurred Outside Of Florida Or The United States
For deaths that occurred outside of Florida, visit the National Center of Health Statistics website at www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w.htm
For deaths that occurred outside of the United States, visit the National Center for Health Statistics website at www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w/foreign.htm
Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing.