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’ve been married for over 3yrs but he’s been in and out of prison and cheated several times so we separated about 1 1/2 yrs ago. I started dating someone and got pregnant . When I had the baby I didn’t know it was illegal for the boyfriend to sign the birth certificate and not put my husbands name until a friend told me. So what do I do to fix it without getting in trouble? Like I said I had no idea as this was my first child.
    • My daughter was married but had twins with another man. There is no name for the father on the birth certificate, it says unknown. What does the father have to do to get his name on the birth certificate
    • Am trying to get my father's name on my birth certificate he lives in a different country and can't come to the US I've called vital records and the tell me to call the Maricopa superior court i called they transfered me to the family Court from there they told me to call the civil court and i did but they told me they can't do anything and told me to go to the website it seem like no one can help me what can i do ?
    • I am 24 and had a baby with a girl. we have never been married. I pay her childsupport and I seen him regulary .4 times a week. My name is not on the birthcertificate. if i dont pay her she wont let me see my son what can i do I have a paternity test from a az doctor he is mine
    • I am pregnant with my ex boyfriends baby. If I give my son my last name, can his father fight to make me change the last name to his? and if he can will he win?
    • 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 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.
    • 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 have my 17 yr old disabled son his mother gave him to me so now he lives with me I'm not on the birth certificate Ineed to know how do iI get on his birth certificate I've already done paternity test for D.E.S and I pay child support.
    • My son was born in Arizona and we moved to Colorado. He has an AZ birth certificate. We have done a paternity test and have determined that the father listed is not correct. We have also had his last name changed. How do I get a birth certificate with his correct last name and father? 

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    FIND LEGAL HELP

    • Please select your county of residence below.

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    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