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How to get a District of Columbia death certificate

In the District of Columbia, order a certified death certificate from the DC Health Vital Records Division.1 Each certified copy costs $182. You can order online, by mail, in person or by phone. Only the people the District lists below can order a certified copy. The fastest published option is in person: same day3.

Last checked against official sources.

On this page
  1. Ways to order
  2. What a District of Columbia death certificate costs
  3. How long it takes
  4. Who can order a District of Columbia death certificate
  5. ID you need
  6. What the application asks for
  7. Forms
  8. Years held and older records
  9. Special situations
  10. Warnings from the office
  11. The vital records office
  12. Questions people ask
  13. Sources

Ways to order

HowCost per copyProcessing timePayment
Online through VitalChek$33.95 for one copy ($183 plus $15.953 processing fee)2 to 4 weeks4–
By mail$24 for one copy ($183 plus $63 processing fee)
+ 2 possible extra charges		–Check, money order and card2
In person$185Same day3Card, check, cash, money order and voucher3
By phone$33.95 for one copy ($183 plus $15.953 processing fee)2 to 4 weeks4–

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

Online through VitalChek

Vendor
VitalChek (LexisNexis)3
Fees
  • Per copy $183
  • Processing fee $15.953
Processing time
2 to 4 weeks4

Good to know

  • Identity is checked electronically and approved orders go to DCVRD for fulfillment.3
  • If no record is found, both the certificate fee and VitalChek fee are kept.2

Go to the ordering site3

By mail

Run by
VitalChek (LexisNexis), on behalf of DC Health2
Fees
  • Per copy $183
  • Processing fee $63
  • UPS Next Day Air $202
  • U.S. Postal Service Regular Mail $02
Expedited service
$20. UPS Next Day Air delivery only; the form does not shorten processing2
Payment
Check, money order and card2
Make payable to
VITALCHEK6
Mail to
Vital Record Mail Services, ATTN: DC Vital Records, P.O. Box 222130, El Paso, TX 79913
7

Good to know

  • Submit one application and one payment per certificate.2

Open the application or mail instructions3

In person

Run by
DC Health Vital Records Division3
Fees
  • Per copy $185
Processing time
Same day3
Payment
Card, check, cash, money order and voucher3
Office
2201 Shannon Place SE, Washington, DC 20020
3
Appointment
Not required4

Good to know

  • Some old originals are not same-day.3
  • Orders are placed at touch-screen kiosks, with a 4 to 5 question identity quiz.3

Open the official page3

By phone

Run by
VitalChek (LexisNexis)3
Fees
  • Per copy $183
  • Processing fee $15.953
Processing time
2 to 4 weeks4

What a District of Columbia death certificate costs

First certified copy
$182
Each additional copy, same order
$182
If no record is found
The fee is kept as a search fee3

Types of copies

CopyAccepted forFee
Death certificate5Same as the original record for all purposes8$183
Certificate of Search3–$185
Unofficial copy of an open death record (DC Archives)1––

How long it takes

These are the office's own published times. Mail and shipping time is extra unless the office says otherwise.

How you orderProcessing timeCounted
Online through VitalChek2 to 4 weeks4Before shipping
In personSame day3–
By phone2 to 4 weeks4Before shipping

Who can order a District of Columbia death certificate

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

  • Spouse: You must be named as a spouse on the death certificate.1
  • Domestic partner: You must be named as a domestic partner on the death certificate.1
  • A parent named on the record: You must be named as a parent on the death certificate.1
  • Child, grandchild and brother or sister1
    Proof: Certified birth records; actual certificate if born outside DC1
  • Grandparent1
    Proof: Certified birth records1
  • Legal guardian1
    Proof: Original court order with seal1
  • Attorney or legal representative1
    Proof: Retainer agreement, bar card and letter1
  • Named funeral establishment, for 30 days after filing8
  • Law enforcement1
    Proof: DC Superior Court subpoena or order and unexpired work photo ID1
  • Informant, next of kin under probate law, or the person with rights to control disposition8
  • Interested party with a tangible interest1
    Proof: Proof of tangible interest or legal need1

Who cannot order a certified copy

  • Anyone: By law, cousins, nephews/nieces, aunts/uncles, friends, neighbors, and those without a specific interest are NOT allowed to order an individual’s death certificate.1

Other kinds of copies

  • Genealogy copy Open records only (75 years after death), as unofficial copies from DC Archives9
Records open to the public after
75 years1
Cause of death
Omission on request by: spouse, domestic partner, child, parent, next of kin, person in charge of disposition, or their legal representative8

ID you need

Photo ID
Required8
Accepted ID
  • State-issued driver's license or non-driver's ID card
  • Passport or passport card
  • Permanent resident card
  • Employment authorization card
  • Department of State card
  • Military ID Card
  • Law enforcement ID (must also present DC Superior Court subpoena)
  • Government employee ID (applies only to licensed social workers or government representatives with pre-existing approval from the State Registrar)1
Without that ID
Walk up kiosk passed no photo id: two alternate IDs from the list on the page; Walk up kiosk failed: three IDs, at least one primary; Vitalchek mail: 1 primary and at least 2 secondary, unexpired1
ID copy with a mail order
Include a copy of your ID2

What the application asks for

Have these details ready before you fill in the form or start an online order.2

  • Full name of deceased
  • Date of death
  • Hospital
  • Gender
  • Social Security number if known
  • Reason for request
  • Applicant name, address, relationship, email, phone
  • Signature

Forms

Years held and older records

Years the issuing office holds
August 1874 to today1
Older records
DC Archives (unofficial copies of open records)1

Special situations

Delayed registration
Deaths registered more than 364 days after death need an appointment and evidence10
Fetal death
Fetal death certificates are issued by the same office3
If no record is found
Certificate of Search; a second search within one year with a new date is free11
Use abroad
Apostille comes from the DC Office of Notary Commissions and Authentications3

Warnings from the office

  • Report deceptive businesses to the DC Attorney General3
  • Carrier delays after handover are the customer's to claim3
  • A record pending a medical examiner investigation can be held for amendment11
  • Exchange if ID or entitlement fails: the application fee is returned.11

The vital records office

Office
DC Vital Records Division (DCVRD)12
Mailing address
Vital Record Mail Services, ATTN: DC Vital Records, P.O. Box 222130, El Paso, TX 79913
7
Walk-in address
2201 Shannon Place SE, Washington, DC 20020
3

Questions people ask

How much is a certified District of Columbia death certificate?

Each certified copy costs $18.2

How long does it take to get a District of Columbia death certificate?

Online through VitalChek: 2 to 4 weeks. In person: same day. By phone: 2 to 4 weeks.43

Can I order a District of Columbia death certificate online?

Yes. Online through VitalChek.3

Who do I make the check or money order payable to?

Write it exactly as the office prints it: VITALCHEK.6

What ID do I need?

The District accepts: State-issued driver's license or non-driver's ID card; Passport or passport card; Permanent resident card; Employment authorization card; Department of State card; Military ID Card; and the other documents listed above.1

Where are older District of Columbia death certificates kept?

DC Archives (unofficial copies of open records).1

Sources

Every fact on this page comes from these official sources, checked between November 5, 2026 and November 6, 2026. Tap a source number next to a fact to read the exact words.

  1. Death certificatesDC Health, Vital Records Division
  2. DC Death Application (PDF)DC Health (form hosted by VitalChek; linked from the DC Health vital records page)dated April 1, 2024
  3. Vital recordsDC Health, Vital Records Division
  4. Dc vital records important noticesDC Health, Vital Records Division
  5. DC Health Vital Records fee schedule pageDC Health, Vital Records Division
  6. DC Death Mail-in ApplicationDC Health (form hosted by VitalChek; linked from the DC Health vital records page)
  7. DC Birth Application (PDF)DC Health (form hosted by VitalChek; linked from the DC Health vital records page)dated June 1, 2022
  8. DC Official Code § 7-231.25 (Council of the District of Columbia, code.dccouncil.gov)Council of the District of Columbiadated October 30, 2018
  9. DC Official Code § 7-231.24 (Council of the District of Columbia, code.dccouncil.gov)Council of the District of Columbiadated October 30, 2018
  10. DC Health registering records pageDC Health, Vital Records Division
  11. DC Health Search Exchange Return of Fees policy PDFDC Health, Vital Records Division
  12. Birth certificatesDC Health, Vital Records Division