Other Family Issues 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 daughtger 15 Family freind 21: trying to date,trying to be ingaged, her threatening to run away/move out. What are my rights to her and what she can and cabnt do?
    • My husband died 4 months after we married. Under Arizona law, am I entitled to anything in his estate. He did not have a will.
    • Who decides the division of the assets and debts? Persons of the marriage or their attorneys?
    • I moved out of my mothers house and I'm 17, even though I'm under her care, can i qualify for foodstamps? or recieve money each month?
    • I was my mother's guardian/conservator. It's been 2 years that she passed away. She didn't have a will. My understanding is, I can't file informal probate. I NEED HELP, PLEASE
    • My spouse has taken me off health insurance benefits and we are currently in the middle of the divorce process. It is my understanding that my spouse cannot do this until the divorce is final. Is there a way or a law that states my spouse must leave me on health insurance benefits until the divorce has been final?
    • Does the Family Medical Leave Act cover taking time off for an in-law that needs help for medical care?
    • Does ahcccs provide counseling services for minor children? I feel that my children are having a difficult time with their father being incarcerated.
    • how do i go about getting emancipated?
    • I'm 16 year old female in the state of Texas I live with a man that is not my biological father can I move out

    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  Order of Protection Flowchart ReadSpeaker

    .pdf  Divorce/Legal Separation Flowchart ReadSpeaker

    .pdf  Arizona Orden de Proteccion Diagrama de flujo ReadSpeaker

    .pdf  Divorcio y Separacion Legal de Arizona Diagrama de flujo ReadSpeaker

    RELATED ARTICLES

    Adoption and Child Welfare

    Where to Find an Attorney for Specific Legal Advice

    Arizona's Booster Seat Laws

    How to Represent Yourself in Maricopa County Part 1: Initial Filings

    How to Represent Yourself in Maricopa Family Court Part 2: Default Through Discovery

    Services Offered by Arizona Department of Child Support Services (DCSS)

    Child Support and Disabled Children Becoming Adults

    Federal and State Tax Exemptions for Dependent Children: Who gets to claim them?

    Spousal Maintenance Enforcement

    LINKS

    Maricopa County Judicial Branch

    Maricopa County Judicial Branch Self-Service Center Online

    Arizona Housing Information

    Arizona Supreme Court Programs Unit

    DES Division of Child Support Enforcement

    See More...