Birth Certificate Article


How to Get a Certified Copy of a Death Certificate

A certified copy of a death certificate can be used to obtain beneficiary death benefits, claim beneficiary insurance proceeds, notify social security, and other legal purposes.

In Arizona only the following people can get a certified copy of a death certificate.

  • Funeral director,
  • Spouse,
  • Parent,
  • Grandparent,
  • Adult Child,
  • Grandchild,
  • Brother or sister,
  • Person designated as Power of Attorney,
  • Person responsible for final disposition,
  • Person names as executor or beneficiary of the deceased’s individual estate,
  • Beneficiary of the deceased’s life insurance policy,
  • Person named in a court order,
  • Person authorized by an eligible person,
  • Insurance company or financial institution,
  • Hospital or healthcare institution,
  • Person with a court order having a claim against the deceased’s individual estate, and
  • Attorney representing a person eligible to receive a certified copy of a death certificate.

    Only persons over 18 may obtain a certified copy of a death certificate.

    To Apply In Person:

    The Arizona Department of Health Services does not provide same day walk in service.  The local county health department Vital Records office may provide same day walk in service.  Here is a link to each Arizona county’s local health department where you can find information about how to obtain a certified copy of a birth certificate from the specific counties - http://azdhs.gov//licensing/vital-records/index.php#fees-home

    To Apply By Mail:

    To apply by mail to the Arizona Department of Health Services for a certified copy of a death certificate, one must submit the following:

  •  A completed Application for Certified Copy of Death Certificate
  •  A copy of the front and back of your valid government-issued picture identification which bears your signature or have your signature notarized.
  •  Proof of eligibility. This means you will have to submit information showing you are a person listed above eligible to get a certified copy of a death certificate eligible to
  •  A self-addressed stamped envelope with your request.
  •  Appropriate fee, according to this fee schedule. Acceptable payment methods are: cashier's checks, money orders, Visa, or MasterCard. PLEASE DO NOT SEND CASH. Cashier's checks and money orders must be for the exact amount and made payable to Office of Vital Records. If you pay by credit/debit card, you must include the full card number and expiration date on your application.


    Mail all this information to: Bureau of Vital Records, PO Box 6018, Phoenix, AZ, 85005.
    You should receive the certified death certificate within 7-10 business days after mailing the request.

    For More Information:

    Here is a link to the Arizona Department of Health Service’s web page explaining how to apply for a death certificate - http://www.azdhs.org/licensing/vital-records/index.php#death-certificates-apply

    Stillborn or fetal death certificate

    The Arizona Department of Health Services also provides copies of a stillborn or fetal death certificate. Like birth and death certificates only certain people may obtain this stillborn or fetal death certificate and there is an application process. 
    Information about getting this stillborn or fetal death certificate is here: http://www.azdhs.org/licensing/vital-records/index.php#death-certificates-who-can-obtain-stillbirth-fetal


    • Comments:

    QUESTIONS

    • My mother remarried when I was 2 years old. My brother and I both were enrolled in school using my stepdad's last name even though our last name was still legally our birth certificate name. I got married using stepdad's last name. My mother, real father and brother are all deceased and even though I have a certified copy of my birth certificate I am having a hard time proving that it is me, since I never used that last name. I am 65 years old and have had my driver's license since I was 16, moved to Arizona last year but cannot get my license/passport. What can I do? Terry Jaynes
    • I gave birth to my daughter in feb 2019 Approaching her 1st bday D.E.S requested birth certificate & ss card for her health insurance. I went to vital records & they said the hospital never recorded her name. And to change it I'd have to pay $332 at court to amend it. Her birth cert. States her name is (noname) and my ex husband's last name( we divorced in 2014) that is not her father. I remember filing out the forms and giving them time a nurse.I have no money. What can I do? My baby has a heart condition and needs medical assistance.
    • When my daughter was born 8 yrs ago I was married to a man who is not her father. When we got divorced my attorney had him sign a "waiver of paternity" and I thought that would be all i needed to take his name off, however I'm having difficulty getting this donewithout an attorney. I was hoping someone might be able to get me on the right path
    • My son is 10 and two years ago I had a paternity test done with his biological father but I have his step dad on the birth certificate. What can I do to have him removed from the birth certificate?
    • What is the process for adding my father to my birth certificate, as an adult?
    • How can I remove non-paternal father on birth certificate and add paternal. Does non-paternal have to relinquish rights first, or can it be changed by DNA submission.
    • How can I put my fathers name on my birth certificate if he can not come to the US?
    • If the father is not listed on the birth certificate can you stillget chils support
    • the father of my unborn child will be in prison when he is born. How do i go about listing him on the birth certificate without him present
    • I live with my boyfriend we are not married and he has no intention of getting married. He intends on being involved in our, as he calls it “illegitimate child’s birth” and I would prefer to use my last name for our child. He disagrees and wants to use his last name. I have a child from a previous marriage and I find it difficult with us having different last names over the years with insurance and doctors appointments, just frustrating. Do I have to use our child’s father’s last name for this child?

    STORIES

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    FIND LEGAL HELP

    • Please select your county of residence below.

      County:
       

    OTHER LEGAL RESOURCES

    • State Bar of Arizona
      www.azbar.org
    • Maricopa County Bar
      www.maricopabar.org
      Referral number 602-257-4434
    • Pima County Bar
      www.pimacountybar.org
      Referral number 520-623-4625
    • National Domestic Violence Hotline
      800-799-7233
    • Bankruptcy Court Self Help Center
      866-553-0893
    • Certified Legal Document Preparer Program
      Link

    ORGANIZATIONS

    Documents

    .pdf  Birth Certificate Application Form ReadSpeaker

    RELATED ARTICLES

    How to Get a Certified Copy of a Birth Certificate

    Where to Find an Attorney for Specific Legal Advice

    LINKS

    Birth Certificates - Arizona Office of Vital Records

    Pima County Courts Self Service Center

    Arizona 2-1-1