Getting Death Certificates: How Many You'll Need and Why

This is one of the most common practical questions families have, and the answer surprises most people: you’ll likely need far more copies than you’d expect.

Why do I need so many copies?

Certified death certificates are required by many of the institutions you’ll need to contact:

• Banks and credit unions
• Life insurance companies
• Social Security Administration
• The DMV (to transfer or cancel a vehicle title)
• Employers, for benefits or pension claims
• The county recorder, for property transfers

Each of these typically wants its own certified copy, according to a cremation guide, which is why families often order 10 or more.

Can I make photocopies instead of ordering more?

Often not, but sometimes. A certified copy is printed on security paper and carries the registrar’s raised or embossed seal, and only certified copies are accepted for legal and financial matters, according to a guide for widows. USA.gov notes that many organizations require certified copies for legal and financial tasks, while a photocopy may be enough for simpler cancellations, as relayed by Funeral.com. The same guide suggests asking each institution whether a photocopy or scan can start the process and whether a certified copy is ultimately required. Non-certified “informational” copies are not valid for legal or financial matters.

How many should I order?

Guides suggest a range. Several recommend about 10 to 15 certified copies for most estates, one says 10 to 12 is the sweet spot with 5 to 7 enough for a simple estate. It depends on how many accounts, policies, and institutions are involved in your loved one’s affairs. Many states charge less for additional copies ordered at the same time as the first, so it’s generally cheaper to order a few extra upfront than to reorder later.

Credit bureaus, banks, insurers, and government agencies each typically want their own copy - see our guide on protecting a deceased person’s mail and identity for the full notification list.

Who orders the death certificates?

The funeral home you’re working with typically handles this as part of their standard process, working with the vital records office in the state or county where the death occurred. They’ll usually ask how many copies you’d like when you meet with them. Funeral homes often include a certain number of copies in their service packages and can order more for a small handling fee on top of the state cost, according to a cremation guide.

How much do they cost, and how long do they take?

Each state sets its own fee. Guides give ranges of about $5 to $30 per certified copy. In Texas, for example, the state charges $20 for the first certified copy and $3 for each additional copy ordered at the same time, according to an end-of-life planning guide. Timing varies: one guide says copies ordered through a funeral home often arrive within 1 to 2 weeks, and ordering directly from a vital records office usually takes 2 to 6 weeks.

Death certificates are state and local records. There is no national death certificate, and the federal government does not distribute them, according to a summary of the CDC’s guidance. The CDC maintains a directory of each state’s office. States warn that unaffiliated “order your vital records here” websites are not authorized and often overcharge, so order only through the vendor the state’s own vital records office links to.

What if I run out and need more later?

You can order additional certified copies from the vital records office in the state where the person died, not where they lived, usually for a per-copy fee. Only the surviving spouse, next of kin, or executor can order certified copies, and you will need photo ID and possibly proof of relationship, according to a guide for widows. This is a normal, straightforward process if you underestimate how many you needed at first.

If your baby was stillborn, a different record applies; see birth and death certificates after a stillbirth.

If the cause of death is under investigation, a certificate may be filed as pending; see what families face in the first days after a suicide.

If you find a mistake on a certificate, see how to correct an error on a death certificate.

For a death abroad, see the consular report of death in What if someone dies out of state or abroad? A practical guide.

For what a death certificate says after medical aid in dying, see aid in dying, life insurance, and death certificates.

Exact processes and fees vary by state and county — your funeral home or local vital records office can give you specifics for your situation.