- Access to death certificates vary from state to state, and not all individuals will be able to obtain a death certificate within the first 90 days after death. Records can be ordered online, in person or by mail from the vital records office of the location where the death occurred. When ordering certificates, you may be required to show proof of identification. Vital record offices may not accept all forms of payment for purchasing certificate copies.
- Acceptable forms of identification when requesting death certificates include a valid driver's license, state-issued identification card, military identification card, prison identification card, student identification or government employment badge or identification. Other forms of identification may be accepted by the vital records office if they meet eligibility criteria. When ordering the certificate, you must provide your relationship to the deceased.
- The fee for death certificates is non-refundable or transferable, even if the death record is not found. Online and mail-ordered certificates can take several weeks to be processed and sent by mail. Some cities do not accept online certificate orders, and applications sent by mail must be notarized.
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