Not a government site. We do not sell certificates. About us

VitalRecordsByState
Menu

How to get a death certificate

Order a certified death certificate from the vital records office of the state or territory where the death happened.1 The federal government does not issue certificates.2 In the table below, a first copy costs from $53 in Florida to $354 in Utah.

Last checked against official sources.

On this page
  1. The steps
  2. Death certificates in every state and territory
  3. Ordering online
  4. How many copies to order
  5. Sources

The steps

  1. Find the right office. It is the office for the place the death happened, not where you live now. Records are filed permanently in a state office or a city, county or other local office.1 The office finder answers this for a state, record and year.
  2. Check that you may order. Most states limit certified copies to the person on the record, close family and legal representatives; each state page lists who qualifies, in the state's own words.
  3. Get your ID ready. States ask for a government photo ID, and many list alternatives if you have none. A mail order usually needs a copy of the ID.
  4. Choose how to order. Online (through the state or the vendor it names), by mail, in person or at a local office. Fees and times differ by channel; the table compares them.
  5. Pay the exact fee. Write the payee exactly as the state prints it. Many states keep the fee as a search fee if no record is found.

The CDC's National Center for Health Statistics lists what a request should include:1

  • Full name of person whose record is requested
  • Sex
  • Parents’ names, including maiden name of mother
  • Month, day, and year of birth or death
  • Place of birth or death (city or town, county, and State; and name of hospital, if known)
  • Purpose for which copy is needed
  • Relationship to person whose record is requested
  • Day time telephone number with area code

Death certificates in every state and territory

Tap a state for the full guide: who can order, ID, every fee, forms and the office address. Tap a source number to read the state's own words. A dash means the state does not publish that figure on the pages we use.

AlabamaAlabama Department of Public Health, Center for Health Statistics5$156$66At a local office: Same day6Vendor: VitalChek Network5
AlaskaAlaska Department of Health, Health Analytics and Vital Records Section7$308$258Online through VitalChek: 2 to 3 weeks9Vendor: VitalChek9
ArizonaArizona Department of Health Services, Bureau of Vital Records10$2011$2012By mail: Up to 5 business days on average13Vendor: VitalChek Network12
ArkansasArkansas Department of Health, Vital Records14$1014$814In person: Same day14State-run: ADH's 'Vital Records' online service at ar.gov/vitalrecords14
CaliforniaCalifornia Department of Public Health – Vital Records15$2616$2616At a local office: Same day17Vendor: VitalChek Network18
ColoradoColorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Office of the State Registrar of Vital Statistics19$2519$2019By mail: 21 to 25 business days20Vendor: VitalChek21
ConnecticutConnecticut Department of Public Health, Office of Vital Records22$2023$2022By mail: Up to 12 weeks23Vendor: VitalChek Network23
DelawareOfficial office––––
District of ColumbiaDC Health Vital Records Division24$1825$1825In person: Same day26Vendor: VitalChek26
FloridaFlorida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics3$53$43By mail: 3 to 5 business days3Vendor: VitalChek3
GeorgiaGeorgia Department of Public Health, State Office of Vital Records27$2528$528By mail: 8 to 10 weeks29State-run: ROVER30
HawaiiHawaii State Department of Health, Office of Health Status Monitoring31$1032$432–State-run: Hawaii Department of Health ordering site on eHawaii.gov32
IdahoIdaho Department of Health and Welfare, Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics33$1634$1634Online through VitalChek Network, Inc.: 3 to 5 weeks35Vendor: VitalChek Network36
IllinoisIllinois Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Records37$1937$437Online through VitalChek: 10 to 15 business days on average38Vendor: VitalChek Network37
IndianaIndiana Department of Health, Division of Vital Records, and local health departments39$840$440–Vendor: VitalChek Network40
IowaIowa Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Health Statistics41$2042$2043In person: Same day44Vendor: VitalChek44
KansasOfficial office––––
KentuckyOfficial office––––
LouisianaLouisiana Department of Health, Center for Vital Records and Statistics45$746$747By mail: About 8 to 10 weeks for delivery45Vendor: VitalChek Network45
MaineMaine Department of Health and Human Services, Maine CDC, Division of Data, Research, and Vital Statistics48$1549$649In person: Same day49Vendor: VitalChek49
MarylandMaryland Department of Health, Vital Statistics Administration, Division of Vital Records50$1051$1251In person: Same day52Vendor: VitalChek Network53
MassachusettsMassachusetts Department of Public Health, Registry of Vital Records and Statistics54$3255$3256In person: Same day55Vendor: VitalChek55
MichiganOfficial office––––
MinnesotaMinnesota Department of Health, Office of Vital Records, and county vital records offices57$1358$658At a local office: Same day59Vendor: VitalChek60
MississippiMississippi State Department of Health, Office of Vital Records61$1762$662Online through VitalChek: 7 to 10 business days63Vendor: VitalChek61
MissouriMissouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Vital Records64$1465$1165At a local office: Same day66Vendor: VitalChek67
MontanaOfficial office––––
NebraskaOfficial office––––
NevadaNevada Office of Vital Records (DPBH), Carson City; also SNHD (Clark County) and Northern Nevada Public Health (Washoe County) for records filed with them68$2569$2570At a local office: 2 to 4 weeks71Vendor: VitalChek Network Inc.72
New HampshireNew Hampshire Department of State, Division of Vital Records Administration73$1574$1074In person: Same day75Vendor: VitalChek75
New JerseyNew Jersey Department of Health, Office of Vital Statistics and Registry76$2577$277In person: Same day77Vendor: VitalChek78
New MexicoNew Mexico Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics79$580$581Online through VitalChek: 3 to 5 business days79Vendor: VitalChek79
New YorkNew York State Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Records82$3083$3082–Vendor: VitalChek Network82
New York CityNYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Office of Vital Records84$1585$1586By mail: 8 to 12 weeks85Vendor: VitalChek85
North CarolinaNorth Carolina Vital Records (NC Office of Vital Records, NCOVR), NC DHHS Division of Public Health87$2488$1588At a local office: Same day89Vendor: VitalChek89
North DakotaNorth Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, Vital Records Unit90$1591$1091–State-run: North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services92
OhioOhio Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, and local vital statistics offices93$21.5093$21.5094At a local office: Same day93State-run: LexisNexis VitalChek Network Inc.95
OklahomaOklahoma State Department of Health, Division of Vital Records96$1597$1597Online through VitalChek: 1 to 2 business days98Vendor: VitalChek99
OregonOfficial office––––
PennsylvaniaDivision of Vital Records, Pennsylvania Department of Health100$20100$20100Online through LexisNexis VitalChek Network Inc.: 3 weeks on average101Vendor: LexisNexis VitalChek Network Inc.102
Rhode IslandOfficial office––––
South CarolinaOfficial office––––
South DakotaSouth Dakota Department of Health, Vital Records Office103$15104$15105–Vendor: VitalChek Network106
TennesseeTennessee Department of Health, Office of Vital Records107$15108$15108In person: Same day109Vendor: VitalChek110
TexasTexas Department of State Health Services, Vital Statistics Section111$20112$3112In person: Same day111State-run: Texas.gov113
UtahUtah DHHS Office of Vital Records and Statistics114$354$104In person: Same day115State-run: Utah Office of Vital Records and Statistics own online ordering system on secure.utah.gov116
VermontVermont Department of Health, Vital Records Office117$10118$10119Online: 5 to 7 business days120State-run: Vermont.gov120
VirginiaVirginia Department of Health, Office of Vital Records121$15122$15122In person: Same day123State-run: Virginia Department of Health123
WashingtonWashington State Department of Health, Center for Health Statistics124$25125$25126At a local office: Same day127Vendor: VitalChek128
West VirginiaWest Virginia Vital Registration Office129$12130$12131In person: Same day130Vendor: VitalChek130
WisconsinOfficial office––––
WyomingOfficial office––––
American SamoaOfficial office––––
GuamOffice of Vital Statistics, Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services132$5132$5132––
Northern Mariana IslandsOfficial office––––
Puerto RicoOfficial office––––
U.S. Virgin IslandsOfficial office––––

Ordering online

The state's own online ordering (sometimes run for the state by a contractor): Arkansas, Georgia, Hawaii, North Dakota, Ohio, Texas, Utah, Vermont and Virginia.

Online only through a vendor the state names: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, New York City, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Washington and West Virginia. The vendor adds its own processing fee; each state page lists it.

Commercial sites that are not named by the state can only send in the same application for you, for an extra fee. Our guide to VitalChek and other ordering services explains the difference.

How many copies to order

Banks, insurers, pension plans and the motor vehicle office may each want a certified copy, and several states charge much less for extra copies ordered at the same time. The copies calculator totals the cost with each state's own fees, and the guide How many death certificates do you need? explains who usually asks for one.

Sources

Each fee, time and office in the table links to its official source; tap a number to read the exact words.

  1. Where to Write for Vital Records: Application GuidelinesCDC National Center for Health Statisticsdated November 6, 2015
  2. CDC National Center for Health Statistics pageCDC National Center for Health Statisticsdated August 15, 2022
  3. Death certificatesfloridahealth.gov/certificates-records/death-certificatesFlorida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics
  4. Fee Schedule (Effective July 1, 2026)Utah DHHS Office of Vital Records and Statisticsdated July 1, 2026
  5. ADPH Center for Health Statistics, Vital Records home pageAlabama Department of Public Health, Center for Health Statisticsdated February 3, 2026
  6. Death-certificates pageAlabama Department of Public Health, Center for Health Statisticsdated March 27, 2026
  7. Health Analytics and Vital RecordsAlaska Department of Health, Health Analytics and Vital Recordsdated October 24, 2026read from the Internet Archive copy of this official page
  8. Death form (PDF)Alaska Department of Health, Health Analytics and Vital Recordsdated April 1, 2026read from the Internet Archive copy of this official page
  9. Vital Records OrdersAlaska Department of Health, Health Analytics and Vital Recordsdated October 24, 2026read from the Internet Archive copy of this official page
  10. ADHS Vital Records: HomeArizona Department of Health Services, Bureau of Vital Records
  11. ADHS Vital Records: Fee SchedulesArizona Department of Health Services, Bureau of Vital Records
  12. ADHS Vital Records: Online Ordering OptionsArizona Department of Health Services, Bureau of Vital Records
  13. ADHS Vital Records: Apply for a Death CertificateArizona Department of Health Services, Bureau of Vital Records
  14. Order death recordsArkansas Department of Health
  15. CDPH Vital Records homeCalifornia Department of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated August 14, 2026
  16. Vital Records FeesCalifornia Department of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated January 29, 2026
  17. Vital recordsocrecorder.com/clerk-services/vital-recordsOrange County Clerk-Recorder
  18. Death Record Online RequestLos Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk
  19. Fee schedule, effective 1/1/2026Colorado Department of Public Health and Environmentdated January 1, 2026
  20. Application for Certified Death Certificate, REV. 12/2025Colorado Department of Public Health and Environmentdated December 1, 2025
  21. Order certificate nowColorado Department of Public Health and Environmentdated July 27, 2026read from the Internet Archive copy of this official page
  22. VS-39DST Death Certificate Request Form, State (Revised 10/2026)Connecticut Department of Public Health, State Vital Records Officedated October 1, 2026
  23. How to Obtain a RecordConnecticut Department of Public Health, State Vital Records Office
  24. Death certificatesdchealth.dc.gov/service/death-certificatesDC Health, Vital Records Division
  25. DC Death Application (PDF)DC Health (form hosted by VitalChek; linked from the DC Health vital records page)dated April 1, 2024
  26. Vital recordsdchealth.dc.gov/vital-recordsDC Health, Vital Records Division
  27. About Vital RecordsGeorgia Department of Public Health, State Office of Vital Records
  28. Birth CertificatesGeorgia Department of Public Health, State Office of Vital Recordsdated March 11, 2026
  29. Georgia Department of Public Health pageGeorgia Department of Public Health, State Office of Vital Recordsdated September 26, 2025
  30. Order certificates from the Georgia Office of Vital Records for births and deaths that occurred in…Georgia Department of Public Health, State Office of Vital Records
  31. Request for Certified Copy of Birth RecordHawaii State Department of Health, Office of Health Status Monitoringdated September 1, 2025
  32. Vital Records Ordering and TrackingHawaii State Department of Health, eHawaii.gov
  33. About Death, Stillbirth, and Miscarriage RecordsIdaho Department of Health and Welfare
  34. Section 160208Idaho Administrative Code
  35. Processing Times and FeesIdaho Department of Health and Welfare
  36. Ordering a Death, Stillbirth and Miscarriage CertificateIdaho Department of Health and Welfare
  37. Obtain death certificateIllinois Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Records
  38. Death certificatescookcountyclerkil.gov/…-records/birth-death-records/death-certificatesCook County Clerk
  39. Vital Records: General FAQsIndiana Department of Health
  40. Vital Records: Order CertificatesIndiana Department of Health
  41. Vital RecordsIowa Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Health Statistics
  42. Iowa Admin. Code 641 Ch. 95 Vital Records: General Administration (IAC 6/10/26)Iowa Legislaturedated July 1, 2026
  43. Form 470-5451 Application to Order an Iowa Vital Record (07/26)Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Health Statisticsdated July 1, 2026
  44. How to Request a Certified RecordIowa Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Health Statistics
  45. How to order death recordsLouisiana Department of Health, Center for Vital Records and Statistics
  46. Service feesLouisiana Department of Health, Center for Vital Records and Statistics
  47. Birth CertificateLouisiana Department of Health, Center for Vital Records and Statisticsdated January 1, 2026
  48. Vital Records (DRVS home)Maine DHHS, Maine CDC, Data, Research and Vital Statistics (DRVS)
  49. Request DocumentsMaine DHHS, Maine CDC, Data, Research and Vital Statistics (DRVS)
  50. Application for Certified Copy of Maryland Death RecordMaryland Department of Health, Vital Statistics Administrationdated October 1, 2021
  51. Maryland Department of Health: FeesMaryland Department of Health, Vital Statistics Administration
  52. Processing TimeMaryland Department of Health, Vital Statistics Administration
  53. Request Death and Fetal Death CertificatesMaryland Department of Health, Vital Statistics Administration
  54. Registry of Vital Records and StatisticsMassachusetts Department of Public Health, Registry of Vital Records and Statistics
  55. Vital records service feesMassachusetts Department of Public Health, Registry of Vital Records and Statistics
  56. Application for Vital Record (mail order form, DOCX)Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Registry of Vital Records and Statistics
  57. Minnesota Department of Health: AboutMinnesota Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated March 24, 2026
  58. Minnesota Department of Health form (PDF)Minnesota Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated November 1, 2024
  59. Vital recordshealth.state.mn.us/people/vitalrecords/index.htmlMinnesota Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated November 3, 2026
  60. Death certificatesolmstedcounty.gov/…ng-permits-records/vital-records/death-certificatesOlmsted County, Minnesota
  61. Vital recordsmsdh.ms.gov/programs-services/public-health-services/vital-recordsMississippi State Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated October 14, 2026
  62. Death Certificate Application InstructionsMississippi State Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated November 4, 2026
  63. Mississippi State Department of Health Revised 02/2026 Form 523Mississippi State Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated February 1, 2026
  64. Order a Copy of a Vital Record | Missouri Department of Health and Senior ServicesMissouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Vital Records
  65. Notice of Fees | Missouri Department of Health and Senior ServicesMissouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Vital Records
  66. Frequently Asked Questions | Missouri Department of Health and Senior ServicesMissouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Vital Records
  67. Consumer Alert - Ordering a Vital Record Online | Missouri Department of Health and Senior ServicesMissouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Vital Records
  68. Birth/Death Vital Records - LocationsNevada DPBH Office of Vital Recordsdated March 13, 2026
  69. Birth/Death Vital Records - FAQsNevada DPBH Office of Vital Recordsdated January 8, 2026
  70. Application for a Certified Copy of Death CertificateNevada DPBH Office of Vital Records
  71. Death certificatessouthernnevadahealthdistrict.org/…ams/vital-records/death-certificatesSouthern Nevada Health Districtdated September 30, 2026
  72. Office of Vital Statistics - Birth, Death, Marriage and Divorce RecordsNevada DHHS Division of Public and Behavioral Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated June 29, 2026
  73. Request for CertificatesNew Hampshire Secretary of State, Division of Vital Records Administrationdated September 14, 2026read from the Internet Archive copy of this official page
  74. VR201 Application for a Certified Copy of a Vital Record (Rev. 7/2025)New Hampshire Secretary of State, Division of Vital Records Administrationdated July 1, 2025read from the Internet Archive copy of this official page
  75. New Hampshire Secretary of State pageNew Hampshire Secretary of State, Division of Vital Records Administrationdated October 4, 2026read from the Internet Archive copy of this official page
  76. Department of Healthnj.gov/health/vital/contact-usNew Jersey Department of Healthdated July 1, 2022
  77. Department of Healthnj.gov/health/vital/order-vital/non-genealogical-recordsNew Jersey Department of Healthdated June 15, 2026
  78. Department of Healthnj.gov/health/vital/order-vital/online-requestsNew Jersey Department of Healthdated July 9, 2021
  79. NMDOH Death CertificatesNew Mexico Department of Health
  80. NMSA 1978 Ch. 24 Art. 14 Vital Statistics ActNew Mexico Compilation Commission (NMOneSource), NMSA 1978 Chapter 24 Article 14
  81. Death Record Search Application (form 610)New Mexico Department of Health
  82. Doh 4376 (PDF)New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Recordsdated November 1, 2013
  83. Death Certificates - New York State Department of HealthNew York State Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Recordsdated January 1, 2023
  84. Death Certificates - NYC HealthNYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
  85. Birth and Death Records Fees and Processing Times - NYC HealthNYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
  86. VR 220 (Rev. 2/26) 1NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygienedated February 1, 2026
  87. NC Vital Records home pageNC DHHS Division of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated July 23, 2026
  88. NC Vital Records fees pageNC DHHS Division of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated July 13, 2026
  89. NC Vital Records order pageNC DHHS Division of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated July 23, 2026
  90. SFN 5531 Request for Certified Copy of a Death Record (10-2025)North Dakota Department of Health and Human Servicesdated October 1, 2025
  91. Certified Copies of Death RecordsNorth Dakota Department of Health and Human Services
  92. Secure Online Ordering of ND Birth and Death Records (login)North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services
  93. How to Order CertificatesOhio Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statisticsdated December 31, 2024
  94. HEA 2701 & HEA 2709 (PDF)Ohio Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statisticsdated January 1, 2025
  95. LexisNexis VitalChek Network Inc. home pageLexisNexis VitalChek Network Inc., portal linked by the Ohio Department of Health as its online order service
  96. Death certificatesoklahoma.gov/…ces/birth-and-death-certificates/death-certificates.htmlOklahoma State Department of Health, Vital Records
  97. Death Certificate Request Form (Oct 2026)Oklahoma State Department of Health, Vital Recordsdated October 1, 2026
  98. Vital Records Frequently Asked QuestionsOklahoma State Department of Health, Vital Records
  99. Birth and death certificatesOklahoma State Department of Health, Vital Records
  100. Death certificatespa.gov/agencies/health/programs/vital-records/death-certificatesPennsylvania Department of Health, Division of Vital Records
  101. Processing timesPennsylvania Department of Health, Division of Vital Records
  102. Pennsylvania Department of Health home pagePennsylvania Department of Health, Division of Vital Records
  103. Vital recordsdoh.sd.gov/licensing-and-records/vital-recordsSouth Dakota Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated September 14, 2026
  104. Vital records feesSouth Dakota Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated January 9, 2025
  105. South Dakota Vital Records Request (application)South Dakota Department of Health, Office of Vital Records
  106. Order Vital Recordsdoh.sd.gov/licensing-and-records/vital-records/order-vital-recordsSouth Dakota Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated September 14, 2026
  107. What is a raised seal? How do I get a raised seal on my certificate?Tennessee Department of Health, Office of Vital Records
  108. Tennessee Department of Health: FeesTennessee Department of Health, Office of Vital Records
  109. How long will it take?Tennessee Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated June 23, 2026
  110. How do I get my certificate? (In Person, Local County Health Department, Mail, or Online)Tennessee Department of Health, Office of Vital Records
  111. Death RecordsTexas Department of State Health Services, Vital Statistics Section
  112. Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Costs and FeesTexas Department of State Health Services, Vital Statistics Section
  113. Texas Department of State Health Services pageTexas Department of State Health Services, Vital Statistics Section
  114. Death certificate application DHHS-OVRS-200 2026Utah DHHS Office of Vital Records and Statistics
  115. Get a copy of a certificateUtah DHHS Office of Vital Records and Statistics
  116. Utah Vital Records online ordering (secure.utah.gov)Utah DHHS Office of Vital Records and Statistics
  117. Application for Certified Copy of Vermont Marriage or Divorce or Civil Union Dissolution…Vermont Department of Healthdated June 1, 2026
  118. Order Vital Recordshealthvermont.gov/stats/vital-records/order-vital-recordsVermont Department of Healthdated June 30, 2026
  119. 18 V.S.A. chapter 101 (Vital Records), full chapterVermont General Assemblydated May 9, 2026read from the Internet Archive copy of this official page
  120. Vital Records Request Service (secure.vermont.gov), a service of the Vermont Department of HealthVermont Department of Health
  121. Office of Vital Records (home)Virginia Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated October 5, 2026
  122. Online Application for a Vital RecordVirginia Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated October 5, 2026
  123. OVR Online - How it Works (Application for Certification of a Vital Record)Virginia Department of Health, Office of Vital Records
  124. Vital Records | Washington State Department of HealthWashington State Department of Health, Center for Health Statistics
  125. Chapter 70.58A RCW Vital Statistics (full text)Washington State Legislature
  126. Death Certificate Order Form (DOH 422-184, July 2025)Washington State Department of Health, Center for Health Statisticsdated July 1, 2025
  127. Ordering a Vital Record | Washington State Department of HealthWashington State Department of Health, Center for Health Statistics
  128. Certificates and Informational Copies FAQ | Washington State Department of HealthWashington State Department of Health, Center for Health Statistics
  129. Vital RegistrationWest Virginia Department of Health, Bureau for Public Health, Health Statistics Center (Vital Registration Office)
  130. Certificate RequestsWest Virginia Department of Health, Bureau for Public Health, Health Statistics Center (Vital Registration Office)
  131. Application for Copy of West Virginia Death Certificate (deathfm26.pdf)West Virginia Department of Health, Bureau for Public Health, Health Statistics Center (Vital Registration Office)dated January 6, 2009
  132. Office of Vital Statistics | DPHSSGuam Department of Public Health and Social Services, Office of Vital Statisticsdated September 15, 2025read from the Internet Archive copy of this official page