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Standard Index GroupThe End of Life PlannerUnited States by Valoren

General information · not a substitute for the advice of an attorney · Valoren is a publisher, not a law firm.

Free · general informationUnited States

Death certificates

What the federal government’s own pages say about certified copies of a death certificate: which office to contact, what you will be asked, who may order one, and when a photocopy may be enough. What a copy costs, and where to send for it, is on the state pages linked from this one.

  • Every fact dated, in the official words
  • Each state’s own law

Every quotation checked October 16, 2026 – October 17, 2026

Every quotation on this page is the official body’s own words, as they stood on the day we read them. The date is beside each one.

Which office to contact for a certified copy, and what the federal government does not distribute

The federal government does not distribute certificates, files, or indexes with identifying information for vital records.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics · general information · checked October 17, 2026

Contact the vital records office of the state where the death occurred to learn: How to order a certified copy of a death certificate online, by mail, or in-person (part of a longer sentence)

USAGov · general information · checked October 16, 2026

What you will need to know when you order, and what else the state may ask

You will need to know the date and place of death. The state may also ask for other details about the person. This includes how you are related to them, or why you want the certificate.

USAGov · general information · checked October 16, 2026

Who may get a death certificate, and when it becomes public record

Only certain family members may be able to get a death certificate when someone dies. This includes a spouse, siblings, and children. But anyone can request them when they become public record.

USAGov · general information · checked October 16, 2026

When a certified copy is asked for, and when a photocopy may be enough

Many organizations require a certified copy of the death certificate when someone dies.

You may only need a photocopy for other tasks, such as canceling a subscription. Check with the agency or organization handling each account.

USAGov · general information · checked October 16, 2026

FAQ

Common questions

Many organizations require a certified copy of the death certificate when someone dies.

You may only need a photocopy for other tasks, such as canceling a subscription. Check with the agency or organization handling each account.

USAGov · general information · checked October 16, 2026

The federal government does not distribute certificates, files, or indexes with identifying information for vital records.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics · general information · checked October 17, 2026

Contact the vital records office of the state where the death occurred to learn: How to order a certified copy of a death certificate online, by mail, or in-person (part of a longer sentence)

USAGov · general information · checked October 16, 2026

Only certain family members may be able to get a death certificate when someone dies. This includes a spouse, siblings, and children. But anyone can request them when they become public record.

USAGov · general information · checked October 16, 2026

You will need to know the date and place of death. The state may also ask for other details about the person. This includes how you are related to them, or why you want the certificate.

USAGov · general information · checked October 16, 2026