Key points
- Death records are kept by each state.
- Some indexes can be searched online for free.
- Certified copies usually need a request to the state.
- Rules on who can order copies vary by state.
What death records are
A death record is the official record of a death, kept by the state where the person died. A death certificate is the official copy of that record.
Where to search
Many states have a vital records office with information on how to request records. Some older records and indexes can be searched online through state archives or genealogy websites.
Let us keep watch for you.
We check funeral homes, newspapers and memorial sites every day and email you when a matching notice appears.
Ordering copies
Certified copies are usually ordered from the state or county vital records office. Many states limit who can order them, such as close family or people with a legal need.
When records help most
Records are useful when no obituary was published, or when you need official proof of a death for legal or financial matters.
Official resources.
- Where to Write for Vital RecordsCDC: death records office in each state
- How to get a death certificateUSA.gov
- Social Security AdministrationReporting a death and survivor benefits
Common questions: how to find death records online.
It depends on the state. Many limit certified copies to family members or people with a legal need.
A list of deaths recorded by a state or agency, usually with a name, date and place. It can help confirm a death.
It varies by state and method, from a few days to several weeks.
Often yes. Banks, courts and insurers usually ask for a certified copy.
No. This guide is general information to help you get started. For legal matters, speak with a qualified professional.
Yes. Add a name to The Passings and we check funeral homes, newspapers and memorial sites every day, then email you if a matching notice appears.
This guide is general information to help you get started. It is not legal advice.