How long does it take to get a death certificate?

How a death certificate gets made

A death certificate is not created in one step. Several people add their part before it is official.

• The funeral director collects personal details from the family, such as full name, date of birth, parents’ names and Social Security number.
• A doctor, nurse practitioner, medical examiner or coroner certifies the cause and manner of death.
• The funeral director files the completed certificate with the local or state vital records office.
• Once it is registered, certified copies can be ordered.

Many states now use electronic systems, which lets these steps happen faster than they did when paper forms were passed from office to office.

The typical wait

When the death is expected and a doctor signs promptly, the certificate is often filed within a few days. Families in many areas receive their first certified copies within one to two weeks of the death, and sometimes sooner.

Timing depends heavily on the state and even the county. Some offices process requests the same day for people who apply in person. Others take several weeks for orders by mail. Online orders placed through a state’s approved vendor often fall somewhere in between, plus shipping time.

Your funeral director will know how long things usually take in your area and is the best person to ask for a realistic estimate.

What slows it down

The most common cause of a long wait is a death that needs investigation. If the medical examiner or coroner orders an autopsy or lab tests, the cause of death may be listed as pending. Those results can take weeks and sometimes months.

In many states the office can issue a certificate with a pending cause so the family can move forward with some tasks, then amend it later. Not every agency will accept a pending certificate, though, so ask the institution you are dealing with.

Other things that can slow the process include:

• A doctor who is hard to reach or slow to sign.
• Missing or incorrect personal details that must be corrected first.
• A death that happened in a different state from where the person lived.
• Busy periods or staff shortages at the vital records office.

Getting certified copies

The simplest route is to ask the funeral home to order copies when you make arrangements. They add the fee to their bill and give you the copies when they arrive.

If you need more later, you can order from the vital records office in the state where the death happened. Most states accept orders in person, by mail and online. Eligibility rules vary, but close family members and the legal representative of the estate can usually order certified copies. Our guide on how to get a copy of a death certificate covers who can apply and what you need to bring.

Banks, insurers and government offices usually want a certified copy with a raised or official seal, not a photocopy. Some will return it, and some will keep it.

How many copies to order

It is hard to know in the first week how many copies you will need. Many families underestimate and then wait a second time. Make a quick list of the places likely to ask for one:

• Life insurance companies and pension plans.
• Each bank or investment account.
• The probate court, if the estate goes through probate.
• Property records, vehicle titles and the Department of Motor Vehicles.
• Some utilities, credit card companies and employers.

Some organizations will accept a copy you send and return, while others keep it. Ordering a few extra at the start usually costs less effort than going back later.

What you can do while you wait

Not every task needs the certificate. You can start by making calls, gathering account statements and finding the will. Our guide on what to do when someone dies walks through the first steps in order.

Many companies will open a file and tell you exactly what they need once you give them the death date. When the certificate arrives, you can send it to each one right away.

Keep a simple list of who has received a copy and who still needs one. It saves a lot of confusion later, especially when several family members are helping.