How to get a Mississippi death certificate
In Mississippi, order a certified death certificate from the Mississippi State Department of Health, Office of Vital Records.1 The first copy costs $172 and each additional copy ordered at the same time costs $62. You can order online, by mail, in person or by phone. Only the people the state lists below can order a certified copy. The fastest published option is online: 7 to 10 business days3.
On this page
Ways to order
| How | Cost per copy | Processing time | Payment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online through VitalChek | $171 | 7 to 10 business days3 | Card1 |
| By mail | $172 first, $62 each extra copy | 7 to 10 business days3 | Money order and cashier's check2 |
| In person | $171 first, $61 each extra copy | – | – |
| By phone | $171 | 7 to 10 business days3 | Card1 |
Online through VitalChek
- Vendor
- VitalChek1
- Fees
- First copy $171
- Processing time
- 7 to 10 business days3
- Expedited service
- Express shipping option through VitalChek; the amount is not stated by MSDH1
- Payment
- Card1
Good to know
By mail
- Processing time
- 7 to 10 business days3
- Payment
- Money order and cashier's check2
- Make payable to
- Mississippi Vital Records2
- Mail to
- Mississippi Vital Records, P.O. Box 1700, Jackson, MS 39215-17002
Good to know
- Do not send personal checks or cash2
In person
By phone
What a Mississippi death certificate costs
- First certified copy
- $172
- Each additional copy, same order
- $62
- If no record is found
- The fee is kept as a search fee3
- Fees in effect since
- Rules revision dated October 10, 20254
Types of copies
| Copy | Accepted for | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Certified copy of death certificate2 | Settling an estate and insurance2 | $172 |
| 'Not on File' statement3 | – | $173 |
| Plain paper copy for genealogy3 | – | $174 |
No-fee copies
- Up to five free copies for honorably discharged veterans or those who died on active duty4
- Free copies for Mississippi veterans' or claimants' benefit claims4
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.
| How you order | Processing time |
|---|---|
| Online through VitalChek | 7 to 10 business days3 |
| By mail | 7 to 10 business days3 |
| By phone | 7 to 10 business days3 |
Who can order a Mississippi death certificate
The state names these people and bodies as able to order a certified copy. Each line gives the official wording.
- A parent named on the record:
Parent(s) listed on the death record.
3 - Spouse, brother or sister, grandparent and child:
Spouse, sibling(s), or grandparent(s)/child(ren) of registrant; proof of relationship required.
3 - Grandchild3
Informant; must be listed on death record.
3- Legal guardian:
Legal Guardian; guardianship papers must be provided.
3 - Attorney or legal representative:
Legal representative of one of the above persons; proof of representation must be provided.
3 - Person named in a court order:
Other person(s) by court order; certified copy of court order must be provided.
3 - Funeral director:
Funeral Home: must be the funeral home on record that took possession of the body.
3 You must prove direct and tangible interest in a record in order to be eligible to receive the certified copy.
1- Government agency:
Authorized agents of local, state and federal government law enforcement agencies when the record is required for investigation, warrant or court purposes.
4 Individuals, groups or other entities needing the information for determination or protection of a personal or property right.
4
Who cannot order a certified copy
Commercial, political, for-profit, and not-for profit firms or entities requesting copies of records, specific information on an individual record or listings of names and addresses from a series of records.
4
Other kinds of copies
- Genealogy copy Genealogist or family researcher4
- Records open to the public after
- 50 years4
ID you need
- Photo ID
- Required3
- Accepted ID
- Photo Driver's License
- Photo State Issued ID
- Employment ID
- School, College or University ID
- US Military ID
- Tribal ID
- Alien Registration/Permanent Resident Card
- Temporary Resident Card
- US Passport3
- Without that ID
- Social Security Card
- Utility Bill (showing address)
- Medicaid Card
- Snap/EBT card (showing address)
- Work Identification
- Veteran Universal Access ID Card
- ID copy with a mail order
- Include a copy of your ID3
What the application asks for
Have these details ready before you fill in the form or start an online order.3
- Full name of deceased
- Date of death
- Place of death (county, city or town, state)
- Sex
- Race
- Social Security Number
- Age at death
- State file number (if known)
- Name of father or parent
- Name of mother or parent
- Funeral home, director and address
- Relationship or interest
- Purpose
- Signature and date
Forms
- Application for Certified Mississippi Death Certificate (Form 523) Revised 02/20263
- Solicitud de Acta de Defunción Certificada5
Years held and older records
- Years the issuing office holds
- November 1, 1912 to today3
- Older records
- MDAH holds microfiche of state death records, November 1912 to 19437
Special situations
- If no record is found
- Search fee kept; additional-copy fees refunded2
- Delayed registration
- $28.00 for a record created a year or more after the event4
- Military and veterans
- Up to five free copies for qualifying veterans via a Veterans Service Officer4
Warnings from the office
The state office
- Office
- Office of Vital Records1
- Phone
- 601-206-82001
- [email protected]1
- Mailing address
- Mississippi Vital Records, P.O. Box 1700, Jackson, MS 39215-17008
- Walk-in address
- 222 Marketridge Dr., Ridgeland, MS 391571
- Hours
- Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; closed state holidays1
- Website
- Official website1
Questions people ask
How much is a certified Mississippi death certificate?
The first copy costs $17 and each additional copy ordered at the same time costs $6.2
How long does it take to get a Mississippi death certificate?
Online through VitalChek: 7 to 10 business days. By mail: 7 to 10 business days. By phone: 7 to 10 business days.3
Can I order a Mississippi death certificate online?
Yes. Online through VitalChek.1
Who do I make the check or money order payable to?
Write it exactly as the office prints it: Mississippi Vital Records.2
What ID do I need?
The state accepts: Photo Driver's License; Photo State Issued ID; Employment ID; School, College or University ID; US Military ID; Tribal ID; and the other documents listed above.3
Where are older Mississippi death certificates kept?
MDAH holds microfiche of state death records, November 1912 to 1943.7
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from these official sources, checked on November 5, 2026. Tap a source number next to a fact to read the exact words.
- Vital recordsMississippi State Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated October 14, 2026
- Death Certificate Application InstructionsMississippi State Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated November 4, 2026
- Mississippi State Department of Health Revised 02/2026 Form 523Mississippi State Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated February 1, 2026
- 1 Rev. October 10, 2025Mississippi State Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated October 10, 2025
- Death certificatesMississippi State Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated November 4, 2026
- Birth certificatesMississippi State Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated November 4, 2026
- Genealogy | Mississippi Department of Archives & HistoryMississippi Department of Archives and History
- Birth Certificate Application InstructionsMississippi State Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated August 31, 2026