How to get an Arizona death certificate

Ways to order

Not offered: online directly with the vital records office.³

What an Arizona death certificate costs

First certified copy

$20²

Each additional copy, same order

$20³

Types of copies

No-fee copies

• Arizona state government agencies¹⁰

How long it takes

These are the office's own published times. They count from the day the office receives your order. Mail and shipping time is extra unless the office says otherwise.

Who can order an Arizona death certificate

The state names these people and bodies as able to order a certified copy. Each line gives the official wording.

• Funeral director: if the conditions in the state’s rule are met¹⁰
  Proof: Within 12 months after registration; letterhead request or signed application; contract proof if not named on the record.¹⁰
• Spouse: The spouse's name is included in the deceased individual's death certificate.¹⁰
  Proof: Marriage certificate.¹⁰
• A parent named on the record: if the conditions in the state’s rule are met¹⁰
  Proof: Named on the death record, or birth record or court order naming the parent.¹⁰
• Grandparent: if the conditions in the state’s rule are met¹⁰
• Child: The adult child must be at least 18 years of age. If less than 18 years of age, provide proof of emancipation, according to A.R.S. Title 12, chapter 15, or proof of marriage (i.e. a certified court order that documents the individual has been emancipated or a marriage certificate that proves the person is married).¹⁰
• Grandchild: The grandchild must be at least 18 years of age. If less than 18 years of age, provide proof of emancipation, according to A.R.S. Title 12, chapter 15, or proof of marriage (i.e. a certified court order that documents the individual has been emancipated or a marriage certificate that proves the person is married).¹⁰
• Brother or sister: The adult brother or sister must be at least 18 years of age. If less than 18 years of age, provide proof of emancipation, according to A.R.S. Title 12, chapter 15, or proof of marriage (i.e. a certified court order that documents the individual has been emancipated or a marriage certificate that proves the person is married).¹⁰
• Executor or estate administrator¹⁰
  Proof: Copy of the deceased individual's last will and testament.¹⁰
• A person named in as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy on the deceased individual, if the conditions in the state’s rule are met¹⁰
  Proof: Policy or insurer documentation naming the beneficiary.¹⁰
• Person named in a court order: if the conditions in the state’s rule are met¹⁰
  Proof: Certified copy of the court order.¹⁰
• A person who is responsible for the final disposition of the deceased individual's human remains according to A.R.S. § 36-831, if the conditions in the state’s rule are met¹⁰
• An insurance company or financial institution with which the deceased individual had a policy, account or other business relationship, if the conditions in the state’s rule are met¹⁰
• Attorney or legal representative: if the conditions in the state’s rule are met¹⁰
• Government agency: if the conditions in the state’s rule are met¹⁰
• A person designated in a power of attorney, established by a person eligible according to A.A.C. R9-19-314(B)(3), (4), or (5), if the conditions in the state’s rule are met¹⁰
  Proof: Copy of the power of attorney, plus documents showing the eligible person's eligibility.¹⁰
• A person authorized in writing to receive a certified copy of the deceased registrant's death record by a person who is eligible to receive a certified copy of the deceased registrant's death record according to A.A.C. R9-19-314(B)(3), (4), (5) or (6), if the conditions in the state’s rule are met¹⁰
  Proof: Letter of authorization from the eligible person, plus documents showing that person's eligibility.¹⁰
• A Hospital or Healthcare Institution¹⁰
  Proof: Documents showing a claim against the estate.¹⁰
• A person that has a court order with a claim against the deceased individual's estate, if the conditions in the state’s rule are met¹⁰
  Proof: Copy of the court order showing the claim against the estate.¹⁰
• The consulate of a foreign government eligible to receive a certified copy of a deceased individual's certificate of death registration according to A.A.C. R9-19-314 (B)(18) may request a certified copy of a deceased individual's certificate of death registration on behalf of one of the person's identified in A.A.C. R9-19-314(B)(3), (4), (5) and (6) by submitting to the State Registrar or a local registrar¹⁰
  Proof: Signed statement that the consulate verified the eligibility of the person it represents.¹⁰

Other kinds of copies

• Genealogy copy Genealogist or family researcher: if the conditions in the state’s rule are met¹⁰

Records open to the public after

50 years¹⁰

ID you need

Photo ID

Required⁴

Accepted ID

• Valid government-issued picture identification which bears your signature⁴

Without that ID

Notarized signature on the application⁴

Notarization

Only if no ID is supplied; funeral directors with a file on record may have ID or notary waived¹⁰

ID copy with a mail order

Include a copy of your ID⁴

What the application asks for

Have these details ready before you fill in the form or start an online order.⁸

• Date of death
• Sex
• Name on death certificate
• Place of death (hospital, residence, or other; town/city, county, state)
• Funeral home or donation facility
• Date of birth
• Social Security number
• Whether copies are for a U.S. government claim
• Applicant's name, signature, address and phone
• Relationship

Forms

• Bureau of Vital Records Request for Copy of Death Certificate (VS-159) Revised 03/18/2026⁸

Years held and older records

Years held

1909 to today (death records from other sources from 1877)¹

Older records

Sampling of death records from 1877 at the Bureau¹

Special situations

Fetal death

Fetal death certificate costs $20.00.²

Stillbirth

Certificate of birth resulting in stillbirth costs $20.00.²

Warnings from the office

• ADHS endorses no internet ordering service other than VitalChek.³

The state office

Office

Bureau of Vital Records⁷

Phone

(602) 364-1300⁷

Email

[email protected]⁷

Mailing address

PO Box 6018, Phoenix, AZ 85005

⁷

Walk-in address

150 North 18th Ave., Ste. 120, Phoenix, AZ 85007

⁷

Website

Official website⁵

Questions people ask