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

    • I am applying to live in an apartment, and the application asks for my birth certificate. My peers think that is unheard of and that I need to double check why they are asking for that personal documentation. Does it have anything to do with the laws regarding illegal immigration? Or does it have to do with checking to see if I am a legal citizen, but why can't they just use my drivers license and/or social security number?
    • My daughter was born in a different state than which we live in. I am in the process of leaving the father because he verbally abuses me on a daily basis. We know that he is not her biological father, can I have his name removed from the birth certificate in the state we live in? Can I change my daughters last name from his last name to mine?
    • My mom was born in Mexico, and she needs a new birth certificate. Where can we obtain one in Phoenix, AZ?
    • My boyfreind is currently in prison but right before he was taken into custody we found out I was pregnant. Yes it is his and he acknowledges that. He left me with a power of attorney and it is still valid. I want to know can I use the power of attorney to put him as the father on the birth certificate? And how would I do this? would I just sign as if I were him?
    • if a judge order the fathers name to be put on the birth certificate and DNA was done many years later and proved the person on the birth certificate was not the father how can i remove the listed father
    • I am having a baby girl and was wondering do I have to give her her father's last name or can I give her my last name? And my other question is can he take me back to court to change her last name?
    • I have two children with my ex we were never married he is actually still married to another woman. He signed the acknowledgment of paternity for my youngest daughter who is now 3 years old. I was wondering how I can take him off the birth certificate because he has not supported the kids since they were born no doctors appointment nothing I can not get legal documents like passports with out his signatures is there anything I can do to take his name off. He has been very violent and hit me several times and I have emails of him saying dangous things.
    • Can you please outline the steps necessary to acquire a birth certificate when one was never filed in 1980 when I was born? Thank you!
    • 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 applied for birth certificate at hospital for my baby boy when he was born and I have not received it

    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

    Arizona 2-1-1

    Pima County Courts Self Service Center