Request your official Virginia death certificate online with confidence. Whether needed for estate settlement or legal matters, you can complete your application in just a few minutes. We handle the preparation and submission to the Virginia vital records office, saving you time and effort. Apply now and receive your certified copy at home.
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Learn how to order a Virginia Death Certificate from the Virginia Department of Health - Office of Vital Records (VDH-OVR). The current processing time is 1 to 2 weeks, and the state fee for a death certificate is $12.00 per copy. Authorized individuals include immediate family members and authorized individuals.
You can now order Virginia death certificates through VRO’s online filing service. VRO offers a secure and simple way to order death certificates. We handle the entire application process, ensuring accuracy and ease. Your application is securely delivered to the Virginia Department of Health - Office of Vital Records (VDH-OVR) for processing, allowing them to issue and mail your death certificate to you. You can place the order yourself in person or by mail through the VDH-OVR, local health departments, or full-service DMV offices. However, the availability of records at these regional offices may vary. Confirm and review the costs, eligibility criteria, and processing times before ordering to ensure a smooth application process.
Requesting a Virginia death certificate through our online filing service is quick and easy.
Starting from
$29+ state fees
Benefits of Ordering Online with VRO
required documents
Applicants must provide proof of identity to the VDH-OVR when requesting certified copies of death records, such as a state-issued driver’s license or U.S. passport. If you do not have a primary form of identification, you can submit two forms of secondary identification. Before requesting the certificate, familiarize yourself with the eligibility criteria. The table below outlines the information and documents required to order a death certificate in Virginia.
Primary ID Requirements Options | Secondary ID Requirements Options |
|---|---|
Photo Driver’s License (unexpired or expired for not more than one year) | U.S. Selective Service Card |
Cost & fees
The total cost of your death certificate will depend on the Virginia Department of Health fees and the method of your order. The VDH-OVR charges a $12.00 fee for certified copies of death certificates and $12.00 for each additional copy. When using VRO's online filing service, the fee starts at $29.00, plus state fees. VRO provides a secure online solution for ordering death certificates.
State Fee |
|---|
$12.00 |
Rush Processing |
|---|
Not Available |
Additional Copy |
|---|
1 x $12.00 |
Processing time
The processing and delivery times for death certificates in Virginia can vary. Typically, it takes about 1 to 2 weeks from the date your application is received. The total waiting time will depend on how you submit your application. To avoid delays, we recommend using the VRO's easy online service, which helps prevent incomplete submissions and errors.
Processing Time |
|---|
1 to 2 weeks |
Rush Processing Time |
|---|
Not Available |
Authorization
In Virginia, death certificates are confidential documents that can only be accessed by immediate family members. If your name does not appear on the death certificate, you must provide evidence of your relationship to the deceased. If you fail to submit this proof, it may lead to delays in processing your request.
The Virginia Department of Health generally does not require applicants to obtain a notarization for their applications when requesting certified copies of death records.
Tracking
When you order with VRO, you can track the status of your application online as we handle it. VRO verifies your documents before sending them to the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records (VDH-OVR) for processing. You can also request mail tracking through VRO to monitor your application's progress to the VDH-OVR.
If you manually mail your death certificate request to the VDH-OVR using first-class mail with tracking, it is advised to know when it arrives.
The Virginia Department of Health-OVR provides an online tracking system for vital records applications. After submitting your application, you'll receive a tracking ID to check the status anytime on their website. Email updates are also an option. Note: it can take up to four weeks for the status to change.
Once your certificate is mailed from the state office, they are not responsible for lost or misdirected certificates.
frequently asked questions
If a loved one passes away on a military base overseas, the state of Virginia won't have a death certificate for them. Instead, deaths that occur on U.S. military bases abroad are registered with the U.S. Department of State, especially if their parents were U.S. citizens. This ensures that their legacy is honored and documented properly. The process helps families remember and celebrate their loved ones with the respect they deserve. You must contact the U.S. Department of State to request a copy of your Consular Report of Death Abroad (CRDA or form DS-5542).
An officially certified death certificate from the Virginia Department of Health Division of Vital Records includes unique features that verify its authenticity. Although the appearance of the official death certificate may vary depending on the year it was issued, it will always include essential details to confirm a person's identity and citizenship at the time of death.
A long-form (official) death certificate is used for legal purposes and differs from a short-form (informational) copy. The Virginia DH-OVR has specific guidelines for each county, which may include distinct colors and layouts. Typically, official death certificates display the state seal, the individual's name, and the registrar’s signature, and they are printed on secure paper.
Virginia death certificates are essential documents that serve as official proof of a person's passing. They are necessary for various legal, financial, and personal matters. After losing a loved one, having this vital record is invaluable for managing financial affairs, filing benefit claims, and settling estates. These certificates ensure that everything is handled smoothly during a challenging time.
Death certificates are often helpful or required for:
Settling Estates
Claiming Pension and Retirement Benefits
Marriage and Divorce Finalization
Genealogy and Historical Research
Claiming Life Insurance
Managing Accounts at Financial Institutions
Making Funeral and Burial Arrangements
Tax Filings
Claiming Social Security and Government Benefits
Handling Property Mortgage, and Real Estate Matters
Enrolling in school
The process for amending a Virginia death certificate varies depending on the type of changes required. By law, the original record cannot be altered; an addendum is created to document the corrections.
The Virginia Department of Health provides a straightforward procedure for administrative amendments to death certificates. Review the VDH Guidelines for Administrative Amendments for eligibility requirements.
To correct or amend a death certificate, you will typically need to provide the following:
Apostille
An apostille is necessary to certify vital records for use in another country. The Virginia Secretary of the Commonwealth issues apostilles for vital records filed initially with the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Statistics.
Apostilles can be requested from the Secretary of the Commonwealth or via Vital Records Online (VRO).
VRO offers reliable apostille services in all 50 states and is legally recognized by governments and organizations in over 100 countries for Virginia birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates.
Once the apostille is issued, it will be sent to you by FedEx or DHL for global delivery. This ensures that your documents arrive at your doorstep regardless of location, whether in the US or internationally.
If you request by mail, you will need to provide the following information:
For standard mail or express shipping (UPS, DHL, or Federal Express), submit the request to the physical address:
Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth, Authentication Division,1111 East Broad St, 1st Floor, Richmond, VA 23219
You can reach the office at 804-692-0114 or online at https://www.commonwealth.virginia.gov/official-documents/authentications/.