File death certificate

A death certificate is an official government issued document that states the date, time, location and cause of death.

Certificates were originally made and kept by churches, until when standardized records became mandated by law. In addition to verifying the cause of someone's death, death certificates are used to track changes in society and mortality trends. Death certificates must be completed by a medical practitioner doctor, hospice nurse, medical examiner, coroner, etc. The medical practitioner completes questions relating to the cause and manner of death, whether an autopsy was performed, if tobacco use contributed to the death, etc.

The funeral director, agent or person acting as such, will need the following information about the deceased:. Use the Funeral Planning Checklist to stay organized and document all of the information need for a death certificate so you can easily provide it to your death care professional. Create A Funeral Checklist. In other areas, death certificates are filed with the registrar and county health department. While it varies state by state, typically deaths must be reported to the local health department within 72 hours of the death and to the state within five to seven days.

Death certificates are needed to close accounts, claim benefits, and file taxes. For legal matters , an official certificate is needed while other institutions only require a copy. Check below for scenarios on when you will likley need an original death certificate and when a copy is appropriate. Order a Death Record. Our office has death records from July 1, to present for events that occurred in the state of Washington.

The four different death record products include:. For security of personal information, only individuals with specific qualifying relationships, also known as qualified applicants, to the subject of the requested record can receive a death certificate or fetal death certificate.

Identity and proof of qualifying relationship documentation is required. Other fees may apply depending on ordering or shipping method. The required pieces of information to order a long form death certificate, short form death certificate, noncertified informational copy of a death record, and fetal death certificate include:.

It depends on the way you order and the shipping method you select. The time listed is from when we receive full payment and all required documentation. Missing information will delay orders. Long form death certificates serve as official documents printed on certified security paper and used for legal purposes. It contains cause and manner of death information and social security number of the deceased person.

You may need this product to close out bank accounts or claim benefits such as life insurance policies. The short form death certificate is a new product offered only for deaths electronically registered from January 1, to present.

Short form death certificates serve as official documents printed on certified security paper and used for legal purposes. It does not contain cause and manner of death information or social security number of the deceased person. You may need this product for transferring titles e. Check with the agency or business where you will use the certificate to know what information it must include prior to purchasing this product.

Noncertified informational copies of death records do not get issued on the certified paper with security features and cannot be used for legal purposes. Informational only. H requiring funeral homes and medical certifiers to complete, certify and file death certificates electronically. Funeral homes and medical certifiers may choose to file electronically or complete and certify a paper death certificate.

Individuals who serve as unpaid funeral directors for family and friends must file a paper death certificate. The information provided on this site is not legal advice, does not constitute a lawyer referral service, and no attorney-client or confidential relationship is or will be formed by use of the site. The attorney listings on this site are paid attorney advertising. In some states, the information on this website may be considered a lawyer referral service.

Please reference the Terms of Use and the Supplemental Terms for specific information related to your state. Talk to a Lawyer. Grow Your Legal Practice. Meet the Editors. How to Get a Death Certificate. Learn where and how to get a death certificate, which you'll need to handle a deceased person's affairs.

Who Prepares the Death Certificate? Details vary from state to state, but often include: full name address birth date and birthplace father's name and birthplace mother's name and birthplace complete or partial Social Security number veteran's discharge or claim number education marital status and name of surviving spouse, if there was one date, place, and time of death, and the cause of death.

How to Get Copies of a Death Certificate Where can you obtain certified copies of a death certificate? 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 Date of death City of death 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 such as a marriage or birth certificate ; 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.

How to Find Your Vital Records Office To order copies of a death certificate, contact the county or state vital records office in the place where the death occurred. For More Information For a complete guide to settling a deceased person's estate or trust, including more information about death certificates, see The Executor's Guide , by Mary Randolph. Talk to a Lawyer Need a lawyer?