US death certificate (certified copy)
United States · each state vital records office (and some cities, e.g. New York City) · Certified Copy of Death Certificate — State Vital Records Office
Price on request · days to several weeks · order and pay online
Order this report
What the report shows
Certified copy of the death record: name, date, place and cause of death (cause may be withheld on some copies), informant and registration details.
Who needs it
executors, heirs, probate lawyers, insurers, banks, pension funds, foreign heirs
Why people order it
probate, life insurance and pension claims, closing bank accounts, transferring property, foreign succession (with apostille)
What we need from you
- ✍️Details you type in the form: deceased's full name, date and place of death, requester ID and proof of relationship or legal interest
- 🙋Ordering for yourself? A typed signature in the form is enough.
- 📝Ordering for someone else? Upload a power of attorney they signed — download our ready form. ⤓ Ready power-of-attorney form
- ✅No original document and no post — everything happens online.
Legal limits
Certified copies restricted by state law to the registrant, immediate family, legal representatives or persons with a documented legal interest; government ID required; false statements are a crime. Some states (e.g., California) issue 'informational' copies to others. Many agencies authorize only VitalChek for online orders. NYC online orders only if requester's name is on the record.
Issued by
State (or city) vital records office where the death occurred; directory: CDC NCHS 'Where to Write for Vital Records'
Questions and answers
How do I order US death certificate (certified copy) online?
Fill in deceased's full name, date and place of death, requester ID and proof of relationship or legal interest in the form on this page and get a price before any payment within days to several weeks.
How much does US death certificate (certified copy) cost?
Price on request: The official fee depends on the office, the state or the number of pages, or is not published — we confirm the exact amount by e-mail before any payment.
How long does US death certificate (certified copy) take?
days to several weeks.
Who can order US death certificate (certified copy)?
Only with a legal interest.
Do I need to send the original document?
No. Everything is online — no original and no post.
Terms
Work starts as soon as you pay; once the document is delivered the order can no longer be cancelled.
Joy Work OS is a private service and not the issuing authority. You can also order this document directly from the authority at the official fee.