I Need Death Certificates

If the Certificate Has Been Filed

Ask the funeral home whether it can order certified copies for you.

You can also ask the vital-records office where the death occurred how to order them.

Confirm:

• who’s allowed to order them
• what each copy costs
• how to order them
• when they should arrive
• how to get more later

Rules, cost, and timing vary by location.

Don’t Guess How Many Copies You Need

There’s no single number that’s right for everyone.

Before giving an organization a certified copy, ask:

“Do you need a certified copy? Do you need to keep it, or will another proof of death work?”

Keep track of where each certified copy goes.

Don’t give away your last certified copy unless you know it’s required.

You can usually order additional copies later if you need them.

Check the First Copy

Before sending certified copies to several organizations, check the important information.

Look at:

• full legal name and spelling
• date of birth
• date of death
• other identifying information
• information that may affect a claim or account

If something important is wrong, ask:

“Who corrects this, and what do you need from us?”

An error is easier to deal with before the same incorrect information has been sent everywhere.

If It’s Taking Too Long

If the funeral home can’t tell you who has the unfinished step, contact the organization that appears to have it.

If nobody can tell you who has the unfinished step, call the vital-records office where the death occurred. Ask whether they can see what’s still missing or which person or office needs to act next.

Know who has the next step and when you should follow up.

Keep Other Things Moving While You Wait

Don’t assume every claim or account has to wait for certified copies.

Ask:

“Can we start this now while we wait for the certified copy?”

Also ask:

• Will another proof of death work temporarily?
• What can I submit now?
• What will still require a certified copy later?
• Is there a deadline I shouldn’t miss?

Waiting for the death certificate doesn’t always mean waiting to start the claim.

If the Medical Examiner or Coroner Is Involved

The process may take longer.

Ask:

• Is the cause of death listed as pending?
• Can certified copies be issued now, even with the cause pending?
• If the information changes later, how do we get an updated copy?

Before You Stop

Know:

• whether the certificate has been filed
• what’s still incomplete, if anything
• who owns that step
• when to follow up
• where certified copies will come from
• which organizations actually require one
• whether the first copy has been checked for important errors
• what tasks can begin while you wait
• whether any deadline is running