What Is a Death Certificate and Why Do I Need One?

A death certificate is a legal document filed with the government that states the time, date, and manner of a person’s death. It is required when you make arrangements for burial or cremation, request life insurance benefits or apply for survivors’ benefits with Social Security. It is also necessary when probating a will, or settling property or estate matters of the deceased. State and federal governments also use the information in death records to track leading causes of death and to inform healthcare policy.

A death certificate may be filled out by anyone who is familiar with the person who died. However, only a healthcare professional, coroner or medical examiner can legally certify the death. The U.S. Standard Certificate of Death, which is the form used in most states, requires the following demographic data:

• Full legal name
• Date of birth
• Age
• Occupation
• Race
• Educational level achieved
• Residence address
• Military service (yes or no)
• Spouses name
• Father’s name
• Mother’s name

The form also asks for the address where the death occurred and the method of final disposition. 

These details can be filled out by the next of kin, but are usually handled by the funeral director if a funeral home is involved. In some states, even if the form is filled out by the family (as in a home funeral) a funeral director must certify that the information is accurate and complete. 

The last part of a death certificate is filled out by the healthcare professional (doctor, nurse practitioner, coroner or forensic pathologist) who certifies the death. It includes the date and time death was legally pronounced, the immediate cause of death (e.g., heart attack), the underlying cause of death (e.g., coronary artery disease) and the manner of death (e.g., natural accident, suicide, homicide or undetermined.)  If additional information surrounding the person’s death becomes known later, most states allow the certificate to be amended. 

When all information is complete, he doctor, nurse practitioner, coroner, or forensic pathologist who completes the form signs it to certify the death. The completed death certificate is then filed with the Bureau of Vital Statistics in the location where the death occurred. This may be done electronically or via a paper copy of the certificate depending on the location where the person died. 

Obtaining a certified copy of a death certificate

A family member or eligible person over the age of 18 can apply for a certified copy of the death record, or certificate. The certificate will have a raised seal of the office issuing the record. A photocopy will not be accepted for any official or legal use. It’s best to request several copies, as you may need to submit them to various entities, including the deceased person’s banking institutions, credit card companies, life insurance companies, Social Security, and more. 

Policies about who can obtain a certified copy of a death certificate, the cost of the copies and other requirements vary by state. Search the interactive database on the website of the National Center for Health Statistics to learn about specific statutes in your state. 

Sources

“How to probate a will: A step-by-step guide”. FreeWill. https://www.freewill.com/learn/how-to-probate-a-will 

“U.S. Standard Certificate of Death”. CDC: National Center for Health Statistics.  https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/dvs/death11-03final-acc.pdf 

“Where to Write for Vital Records”. CDC: National Center for Health Statistics. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w/index.htm