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 child is a newborn and in childrens hospital he has gotten taken from my care if I want to see him at the hospital til can I go see him even if hes in states custody
    • When my dad gets remarried will she be my stepmother even if iam a adult of 21 yares old or is this just a term
    • Ex husband and I have legal discussion making. I have weekends& school breaks. He has m-f, I live in Phoenix. Having difficulties with him not wanting to send me a picture and if he can have my son call me after the games/when they are not busy. He is claiming that it's too hard for him to do but was able to take a picture of his gf & post it online. Then he states that I can be involved by giving him money, this isn't court order. Not having too I already asked aug and july. What can I do to enforces this or talk to someone about his actions? He is consisting says his gf a better mom than me.
    • hi my new husband is military retired recieves a military pension of 1300 a month. in his divorce decree it says shares half with ex wife. she was suppose to go to the military and get half taken out. its been 20 years now how does he divide his pension retiremnet funds with her is she still intitled. is there a staute of limitiations on claiming a old debt, got divorced in maricopa county
    • My mother passed away 5 yrs ago. Estate has never been settled in probate or anything. My sister moved her son into the home that was willed to us. He pays her the mortgage payment and she makes sure everything is paid. Home is still in deceased mothers name. We had verbal agreement that he would also pay me $200 a month and isnt paying anymore. I want to settle in court due to no executor of estate. My sister assumed executor but refuses to settle. I want her to buy me out and I will sign off on estate and she can do what she wants. What can I do???
    • i am 17 years and 2 months. Can I choose to live with my brother instead my mother
    • I have been divorced 3 years our my ex husband was supposed to give me half of our retirement money but right before signing he said he lost it in our divorce decree it says that he was supposed to pay the full amount within a year but has failed to do so, additionally we agreed that he would keep managing our children investment account and was supposed to provide me with quarterly statements but I found out he spent the money lastly he is behind a few months in alimony, would you recommend I hire a lawyer or could I file directly through the court
    • How can I help my fatherk who is elderly kick his grandson out of his house if he is an alcoholic and won't seek help. He also neglects his son so he can drink.
    • I WAS MARRIED IN AZ IN 2006 AND BECAME LEGALLY SEPARATED IN 2011. OUR FINANCES ARE SEPARATE AND WE ARE NOT ON EACH OTHERS CREDIT CARDS, CHECKING ACCOUNTS OR ANY OTHER LEGAL DOCUMENTS. IF HE PASSES AWAY AM I RESPONSIBLE FOR HALF THE DEBT HE INCURRED DURING THE FIRST 5 YEARS OF OUR MARRIAGE EVEN THOUGH HIS DEBT HAS NEVER BEEN IN MY NAME?
    • Me my husband and our daughter live with my mom and my aunt, my mom evicted my husband and she's telling me I can pack my things and go is there any place that helps family's have a place to go and help us get back on our feet? We are also unemployed but we have been applying everywhere.

    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

    Arizona Housing Information

    Arizona Supreme Court Programs Unit

    DES Division of Child Support Enforcement

    Maricopa County Judicial Branch

    Maricopa County Judicial Branch Self-Service Center Online

    See More...