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The End of Life Plannerby Valoren

General information · not a substitute for the advice of an attorney.

Free · general informationDelaware

Death certificates in Delaware

What a certified copy of the death certificate costs in Delaware and how one is ordered, in the official words. No figure on this page is ours; each is the office’s or the statute’s, with the date it was checked.

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

Every quotation checked October 24, 2026

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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.

Filing the death certificate: who files it, and how soon

(a) A certificate of death for each death which occurs in this State shall be filed with the Office of Vital Statistics, or as otherwise directed by the State Registrar, within 3 days after death, or as soon as possible after a death under subsections (e) and (f) of this section, and prior to final disposition of the dead body

The funeral director who assumes custody of the dead body shall file the certificate of death with the Office of Vital Statistics unless an official death investigation is required.

Delaware · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · 16 Del. C. §3123(a)–(b)

The medical certification, and how soon it is returned

When no official death investigation is required, the medical certification shall be completed, signed, and returned to the funeral director within 48 hours after death

Delaware · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · 16 Del. C. §3123(c)(1)

The cap on the fee for a copy, and who sets the fee

The State Registrar shall receive a fee not to exceed $25 for each certified or noncertified copy of a certificate or record, or for a search of the files or records when no copy is made

The fee shall be established by the State Board to reflect the costs of doing such work.

Delaware · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · 16 Del. C. §3132(a)

Who may receive a certified copy, and who must show a need

The State Registrar shall upon receipt of an application issue a certified copy of a vital record in the Registrar’s custody or a part thereof to the registrant’s, the registrant’s spouse, children, parents or guardian, or their respective authorized representative.

Others may be authorized to obtain certified copies when they demonstrate that the record is needed for the determination or protection of their personal or property rights or for genealogical purposes.

Delaware · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · 16 Del. C. §3110(b)

When death records become public

When 72 years have elapsed after the date of birth, 40 years have elapsed after the date of death, or 50 years have elapsed after the date of marriage, the records of these events shall become public records

Delaware · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · 16 Del. C. §3110(f)

The same page for other states

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FAQ

Common questions

The State Registrar shall receive a fee not to exceed $25 for each certified or noncertified copy of a certificate or record, or for a search of the files or records when no copy is made

The fee shall be established by the State Board to reflect the costs of doing such work.

Delaware · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · 16 Del. C. §3132(a)

The State Registrar shall upon receipt of an application issue a certified copy of a vital record in the Registrar’s custody or a part thereof to the registrant’s, the registrant’s spouse, children, parents or guardian, or their respective authorized representative.

Others may be authorized to obtain certified copies when they demonstrate that the record is needed for the determination or protection of their personal or property rights or for genealogical purposes.

Delaware · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · 16 Del. C. §3110(b)

(a) A certificate of death for each death which occurs in this State shall be filed with the Office of Vital Statistics, or as otherwise directed by the State Registrar, within 3 days after death, or as soon as possible after a death under subsections (e) and (f) of this section, and prior to final disposition of the dead body

The funeral director who assumes custody of the dead body shall file the certificate of death with the Office of Vital Statistics unless an official death investigation is required.

Delaware · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · 16 Del. C. §3123(a)–(b)

When no official death investigation is required, the medical certification shall be completed, signed, and returned to the funeral director within 48 hours after death

Delaware · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · 16 Del. C. §3123(c)(1)

When 72 years have elapsed after the date of birth, 40 years have elapsed after the date of death, or 50 years have elapsed after the date of marriage, the records of these events shall become public records

Delaware · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · 16 Del. C. §3110(f)

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