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 was born in Sierra Vista, AZ and I now live in NY. I am transgender and need to change the name and gender marker on my birth certificate. How would I go about doing this?
    • My step daughter has already lost four of her children to children and youth when she gives birth they are stepping in and taking custody of the new baby. Will she be allowed to name the baby or not
    • I'm 18 years old and I would like to have the father's name removed from my birth certificate. I don't want to have a test done or anything and I don't want to put a different name, I just don't want his name on it. How would I go about doing this?
    • Would I be able to get visitation of my two children if they live in a diffrent city? They live with there grandparents and there mother live in the same city I live in.

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    • 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 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.
    • My wife and I have been together for 7 years and just got legally married yesterday (Yay az!) We've had the kids together. Can I put name on the bc? How do I make her a legal parent?

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    • If I want to add my last name to birth certificate can I still do so ? Daughter is barely two weeks right now ! Is it to late ? How would I go about doing so ?
    • My daughter is 2 1/2 when she was born I was with a man who is not her father and he signed the birth certificate and took claim for her until we split a year ago. I want him off the birth certificate and to change her last name. What papers do I need to file? How would I go about doing this? He has not had contact with her in over 6 months and I can’t even contact him anymore.

    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