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 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?
    • 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?
    • When my daughter was born i couldn't add father to birth certificate be cause he wasnt present, i want to add her non biological father to her certificate how can i do this?
    • 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?
    • My boyfriend is in the Dominican republic and I want my son to have his last name, what can i do?
    • 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!
    • I was married at the time my two children were born, my ex husband left the state and haves nothing to do with my kids and I want to know how I can take his name off of the birth certificate and change my kids last name to my maiden name? Thank you
    • What is the process for adding my father to my birth certificate, as an adult?
    • A few days before I turned 18, my adopted family of 4 years kicked me out and dropped me off at my birth mothers house. (Who is not capable of taking care of me) they didn't even give me a quarter of my belongings and I also didn't receive any of my documents (I.e birth certificate, social security card, etc) this has caused me many problems in the year since dealing with trying to get a car, registering for college and other things. In order to get new documents, I need to have other documents and I have none. Is there something I can legally do?
    • My son's father isn't on the original birth certificate do I have to get a new one if he was proven to be the father.

    STORIES

    LegalLEARN

    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