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

    • I currently have joint custody of my children in which I have them 50% of the time. My ex-wife and I do not agree on which schools our children should attend, and our paperwork states that neither of us can make the final decision. An attorney had told me that if we have tried mediation with conciliation services (which we have tried), then the next step would be to file a motion for school determination. My question is: how do you go about doing that? I do not see forms that seem to pertain to this. Thanks!
    • My 36 year old daughter died recently in a car crash. I have had to make all funeral arrangements, so sent my ex-husband the bill for him to pay HALF. He is bulking at paying it. We are both next of kin, do I have to pay the whole $7500 myself, or do I have any recourse to make him own up to his responsibilities to his deceased daughter?
    • My wife and her almost 21-year-old sociopath son have made my life intolerable. I want to leave. Other than my mortgage and appliances that I am contractually responsible for, do I have to maintain a house that I am not living in?
    • I would like to know if I leave my husband and my house with my baby because I am tired of him for always getting home from work and taking a shower and leaving the house and not coming back until 4am. He does not love me or spend and time with our baby at all. I left my house and he said that he was going to sue me with the (Child Protective Services) for abandoning the home. Can he do that? He also said that he will try to get full custody of our child, but he hardly takes care of her or spend any time with her. I want to divorse him but what can I do to legally leave my house?
    • My daughter's father bought a new car fo her 17th birthday but it is registered in my(mother) name Now she moved to boyfriends house and there are many problems. Do I have to sign title over to her?
    • I am a divorced father of two children. I provide insurance on my kids and the ex provides medicaid on them. Recently she chose a Dr that doesn't accept medicaid. Who will be resposible for paying the balance owed? My insurance is court ordered.
    • My husband is going to prison, we have a three year old and one more on the way. He is our sole income provider, will I be able to get any kind of income support while he is gone??
    • I submitted a petition to modify parenting and child support, where the respondent did not initially agree. The respondent has since agreed to the petition to avoid the conflict resolution conference. What forms do I need to file to reflect this change and the respondents new found cooperation?
    • My exhusband and his girlfriend purchased a home together. I have been refused their new address and I feel that I have the right to know where they live, in case of an emergency. What are the legal ramifications of the primary custodial parent not knowing where the children live every other weekend? Do I have that right to know?
    • Does the Family Medical Leave Act cover taking time off for an in-law that needs help for medical care?

    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

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    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...