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Who can order a death certificate

In most states, certified death certificates go only to close family, legal representatives and people who need the record to protect a right, such as an executor or an insurance beneficiary. A few states let anyone order. The rule depends on the state where the death happened.

Last checked against official sources.

On this page
  1. The usual pattern
  2. Who the states name
  3. If you are not on the list
  4. Sources

The usual pattern

States that restrict death records usually name the spouse, parents, children, siblings and grandparents, the funeral director, an attorney or other legal representative, and a person with a documented legal interest. Some limit the cause of death to certain requesters, and some open the record to everyone after a set number of years. Each state page lists the rules with the state's own words.

Who the states name

StateWho the state names for a certified copy
AlabamaAnyone1
AlaskaSpouse, A parent named on the record, Child, Brother or sister, Attorney or legal representative and Government agency2
ArizonaFuneral director, Spouse, A parent named on the record, Grandparent, Child, Grandchild, Brother or sister, Executor or estate administrator, Person named in a court order and Attorney or legal representative3
ArkansasAnyone4
CaliforniaThe person named on the record, A parent named on the record, Legal guardian, Child, Grandparent, Grandchild, Brother or sister, Spouse, Domestic partner, Person named in a court order, Government agency, Executor or estate administrator, Attorney or legal representative and Funeral director5
ColoradoSpouse, A parent named on the record, Brother or sister, Child, Funeral director and Attorney or legal representative6
ConnecticutAnyone7
District of ColumbiaSpouse, Domestic partner, A parent named on the record, Child, Grandchild, Brother or sister, Grandparent, Legal guardian and Attorney or legal representative8
FloridaAnyone9
GeorgiaSpouse, Child, Brother or sister, A parent named on the record, Grandparent, Grandchild, Executor or estate administrator, Attorney or legal representative and Government agency101112
HawaiiThe person named on the record, Spouse, A parent named on the record, Child, Grandchild, Brother or sister, Grandparent, Legal guardian, Attorney or legal representative, Executor or estate administrator and Person named in a court order13
IdahoThe person named on the record and Attorney or legal representative14
IllinoisPerson named in a court order and Government agency15
IndianaA parent named on the record, Spouse, Child, Grandparent, Grandchild, Brother or sister, Attorney or legal representative, Funeral director and Genealogist or family researcher16
IowaThe person named on the record, Spouse, Child, A parent named on the record, Brother or sister, Grandparent, Grandchild, Attorney or legal representative, Legal guardian, Executor or estate administrator and Funeral director1718
LouisianaSpouse, A parent named on the record, Child, Brother or sister, Grandparent, Grandchild, Executor or estate administrator, Attorney or legal representative, Funeral director and Government agency1920
MaineThe person named on the record, A parent named on the record, Funeral director, Executor or estate administrator, Spouse, Domestic partner, Legal guardian, Child, Grandchild, Grandparent, Brother or sister, Attorney or legal representative and Government agency212223
MarylandAttorney or legal representative, Executor or estate administrator, Funeral director and Person named in a court order2425
MassachusettsAnyone26
MinnesotaA parent named on the record, Child, Spouse, Grandparent, Grandchild, Brother or sister, Executor or estate administrator, Funeral director, Attorney or legal representative, Government agency and Person named in a court order2728
MississippiA parent named on the record, Spouse, Brother or sister, Grandparent, Child, Grandchild, Legal guardian, Attorney or legal representative, Person named in a court order, Funeral director and Government agency293031
MissouriThe person named on the record, Spouse, Child, A parent named on the record, Brother or sister, Grandchild, Grandparent, Genealogist or family researcher, Funeral director, Attorney or legal representative and Government agency32
NevadaA parent named on the record, Grandparent, Child, Brother or sister, Grandchild, Spouse, Domestic partner, Attorney or legal representative, Government agency, Executor or estate administrator and Funeral director333435
New HampshireThe person named on the record, A parent named on the record, Spouse, Child, Brother or sister, Grandparent, Grandchild, Legal guardian, Attorney or legal representative, Genealogist or family researcher and Funeral director36
New JerseyThe person named on the record, A parent named on the record, Legal guardian, Attorney or legal representative, Spouse, Child, Brother or sister, Grandchild, Government agency, Person named in a court order and Executor or estate administrator37
New MexicoAnyone38
New YorkSpouse, A parent named on the record, Child, Brother or sister and Grandchild3940
New York CitySpouse, Domestic partner, Child, Brother or sister, Grandparent, Grandchild, Funeral director, Executor or estate administrator and Attorney or legal representative414243
North CarolinaSpouse, A parent named on the record, Child, Brother or sister, Grandparent, Grandchild, Legal guardian, Attorney or legal representative and Funeral director44
North DakotaSpouse, A parent named on the record, Legal guardian, Child, Grandparent, Grandchild, Brother or sister, Attorney or legal representative, Funeral director and Person named in a court order4546
OhioSpouse, Child, Grandchild, Funeral director, Executor or estate administrator, Government agency and Attorney or legal representative47
OklahomaSpouse, A parent named on the record, Child, Grandparent, Brother or sister, Legal guardian, Executor or estate administrator, Funeral director, Person named in a court order and Genealogist or family researcher4849
PennsylvaniaSpouse, A parent named on the record, Brother or sister, Child, Grandparent, Grandchild, Attorney or legal representative and Executor or estate administrator50
South DakotaThe person named on the record, Spouse, Child, A parent named on the record, Legal guardian, Grandparent, Brother or sister, Grandchild, Attorney or legal representative and Funeral director5152
TennesseeA parent named on the record, Child, Spouse, Legal guardian, Attorney or legal representative, Funeral director, Executor or estate administrator and Person named in a court order5354
TexasChild, A parent named on the record, Brother or sister, Grandparent, Spouse, Legal guardian, Attorney or legal representative and Funeral director5556
UtahThe person named on the record, Spouse, Child, A parent named on the record, Brother or sister, Grandparent, Grandchild, Legal guardian, Attorney or legal representative, Funeral director, Government agency and Person named in a court order5758
VermontSpouse, Child, Grandchild, A parent named on the record, Brother or sister, Grandparent, Legal guardian, Executor or estate administrator, Attorney or legal representative, Person named in a court order, Government agency and Funeral director5960
VirginiaAnyone61
WashingtonSpouse, Domestic partner, Child, A parent named on the record, Brother or sister, Grandparent, Grandchild, Legal guardian, Attorney or legal representative, Funeral director and Government agency62
West VirginiaA parent named on the record, Grandparent, Child, Grandchild, Brother or sister, Spouse, Attorney or legal representative and Funeral director6364
GuamSpouse, Child, A parent named on the record, Brother or sister and Attorney or legal representative65

If you are not on the list

Options vary: written authorization from an entitled relative, a court order, proof of a legal or property right, or an informational copy. Check the state's page, or use the eligibility checker.

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-certificates pageAlabama Department of Public Health, Center for Health Statisticsdated March 27, 2026
  2. Death form (PDF)Alaska Department of Health, Health Analytics and Vital Recordsdated April 1, 2026read from the Internet Archive copy of this official page
  3. ADHS Vital Records: Who Can Obtain a Death CertificateArizona Department of Health Services, Bureau of Vital Records
  4. 2022 Vital Records Rule (PDF)Arkansas Department of Healthdated May 2, 2022
  5. Authorized Copy vs. Informational CopyCalifornia Department of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated October 23, 2025
  6. Application for Certified Death Certificate, REV. 12/2025Colorado Department of Public Health and Environmentdated December 1, 2025
  7. Death certificatesportal.ct.gov/dph/vital-records/death-certificatesConnecticut Department of Public Health, State Vital Records Office
  8. Death certificatesdchealth.dc.gov/service/death-certificatesDC Health, Vital Records Division
  9. Death certificatesfloridahealth.gov/certificates-records/death-certificatesFlorida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics
  10. 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
  11. GA R&R - GAC - Subject 511-1-3 VITAL RECORDSGeorgia Secretary of State, Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgiadated September 27, 2026read from the Internet Archive copy of this official page
  12. FAQs About CertificatesState of Georgia (georgia.gov)
  13. Death CertificatesHawaii State Department of Health, Office of Health Status Monitoring
  14. Ordering a Death, Stillbirth and Miscarriage CertificateIdaho Department of Health and Welfare
  15. Illinois General AssemblyIllinois General Assembly, Illinois Compiled Statutesdated July 1, 2024read from the Internet Archive copy of this official page
  16. Who is Eligible to Obtain a Birth Certificate?Indiana Department of Health
  17. Iowa Admin. Code 641 Ch. 95 Vital Records: General Administration (IAC 6/10/26)Iowa Legislaturedated July 1, 2026
  18. Vital RecordsIowa Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Health Statistics
  19. How to order death recordsLouisiana Department of Health, Center for Vital Records and Statistics
  20. §41. Disclosure of recordsLouisiana State Legislature
  21. Request DocumentsMaine DHHS, Maine CDC, Data, Research and Vital Statistics (DRVS)
  22. Eligibility Requirements matrix (R 04/2017)Maine DHHS, Maine CDC, Data, Research and Vital Statistics (DRVS)dated April 1, 2017
  23. 22 MRS §2706 Disclosure of vital recordsMaine Legislature, Office of the Revisor of Statutes
  24. Request Death and Fetal Death CertificatesMaryland Department of Health, Vital Statistics Administration
  25. Death Certificate Entitlement DocumentationMaryland Department of Health, Vital Statistics Administration
  26. Interim Legitimate Need for the SSN in a Record of Death and Evidence GuideMassachusetts Department of Public Health, Registry of Vital Records and Statisticsdated July 1, 2026
  27. Minnesota Department of Health pageMinnesota Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated October 27, 2026
  28. Section 144Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes
  29. Mississippi State Department of Health Revised 02/2026 Form 523Mississippi State Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated February 1, 2026
  30. Vital recordsMississippi State Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated October 14, 2026
  31. 1 Rev. October 10, 2025Mississippi State Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated October 10, 2025
  32. Order a Copy of a Vital Record | Missouri Department of Health and Senior ServicesMissouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Vital Records
  33. Application for a Certified Copy of Death CertificateNevada DPBH Office of Vital Records
  34. Attachment A - Proof Required ListNevada DPBH Office of Vital Recordsdated January 5, 2023
  35. NAC Chapter 440 - Vital StatisticsNevada Legislature (NAC chapter 440)dated October 8, 2026read from the Internet Archive copy of this official page
  36. RSA Chapter 5-C Vital Records AdministrationNew Hampshire General Courtdated October 24, 2026read from the Internet Archive copy of this official page
  37. Department of HealthNew Jersey Department of Healthdated June 15, 2026
  38. NMDOH Death CertificatesNew Mexico Department of Health
  39. Death Certificates - New York State Department of HealthNew York State Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Recordsdated January 1, 2023
  40. Dual Citizenship and Vital RecordsNew York State Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Recordsdated January 1, 2023
  41. VR 220 (Rev. 2/26) 1NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygienedated February 1, 2026
  42. Death Certificates - NYC HealthNYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
  43. Health code article207 (PDF)NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC Health Code)
  44. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 130A-93 Access to vital records; copiesNorth Carolina General Assemblydated February 13, 2026read from the Internet Archive copy of this official page
  45. Certified Copies of Death RecordsNorth Dakota Department of Health and Human Services
  46. NDCC chapter 23-02.1 Health Statistics ActNorth Dakota Legislative Branch
  47. HEA 2701 & HEA 2709 (PDF)Ohio Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statisticsdated January 1, 2025
  48. Vital Records Frequently Asked QuestionsOklahoma State Department of Health, Vital Records
  49. Authorized Birth/Death Certificate Applicants and Document RequirementsOklahoma State Department of Health, Vital Recordsdated December 18, 2024
  50. Death certificatespa.gov/agencies/health/programs/vital-records/death-certificatesPennsylvania Department of Health, Division of Vital Records
  51. Vital Records Eligibility & IdentificationSouth Dakota Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated January 9, 2025
  52. South Dakota Vital Records Request (application)South Dakota Department of Health, Office of Vital Records
  53. May I pick up a copy of a certificate for someone else?Tennessee Department of Health, Office of Vital Records
  54. Entitlement GuidelinesTennessee Department of Health, Office of Vital Records
  55. Persons Qualified to Request or Change RecordsTexas Department of State Health Services, Vital Statistics Section
  56. Mail application for death record VS 142 1.2026 (PDF)Texas Department of State Health Services, Vital Statistics Sectiondated January 1, 2026
  57. Order a Vital Record CertificateUtah DHHS Office of Vital Records and Statistics
  58. Utah Code 26B-8-125Utah State Legislaturedated November 1, 2025
  59. 18 V.S.A. chapter 101 (Vital Records), full chapterVermont General Assemblydated May 9, 2026read from the Internet Archive copy of this official page
  60. Order Vital RecordsVermont Department of Healthdated June 30, 2026
  61. Code of Virginia § 32.1-271 (disclosure; records made public)Virginia General Assembly, Legislative Information System (Code of Virginia)
  62. Chapter 70.58A RCW Vital Statistics (full text)Washington State Legislature
  63. 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
  64. 64CSR32 Vital Statistics, Final File (effective May 8, 2025)West Virginia Secretary of State (Code of State Rules), rule of the WV Department of Healthdated May 8, 2025
  65. 26 GAR Chapter 2 Vital StatisticsGuam Compiler of Laws (Supreme Court of Guam)