Get a certified Arizona Death Certificate

An officially certified death certificate from the Arizona Department of Health and Social Services (ADHS) will have unique security features to ensure its authenticity. The appearance of an official death certificate may vary depending on the year of issue, but it will contain essential details confirming the individual's identity at the time of death. Official death certificates from Arizona typically feature the state seal, the individual's name, the date and place of death, and the state registrar's signature. They are printed on secure, tamper-resistant paper with watermarks and other security elements. The ADHS issues these certificates to state guidelines, and all counties follow these secure issuance procedures.

• Full Name of the Decedent: The full legal name of the person whose death is being recorded.
• Date of Death: The exact date and time of death of the individual.
• Place of Death: The city, county, and state where the death occurred, along with the specific facility or location.
• Cause of Death: The immediate and underlying causes of death, as certified by the attending physician or medical examiner.
• Medical Certification Information: Includes details about who certified the death, such as the attending physician or coroner, and any contributing medical factors.
• Demographic Information: Age, sex, race, ethnicity, marital status, education level, and occupation of the deceased.
• Disposition Details: Information about the method of disposition (burial, cremation, etc.), the date and place of disposition, and the funeral home or director responsible.
• Informant Information: The name and relationship of the person providing personal details of the deceased.
• Social Security Number: The Social Security number of the deceased.

To amend an Arizona death certificate, follow these steps:

Determine the Type of Correction: Identify whether you need to correct a name, date or place of death, demographic information, or the cause of death.

Obtain the Form: Use the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) Request for Correction of a Vital Record, available on their website or through the Office of Vital Records.

Gather Supporting Documents: For minor corrections, provide a valid ID and proof of the correct information. Medical corrections need a signed statement from the certifying physician, while legal changes may require a court order.

Submit Your Application: Send your request by mail to the ADHS Bureau of Vital Records in Phoenix or submit it in person at the ADHS or your local county health department.

Pay the Fee: The amendment fee is $30.00. Certified copies are an additional $20.00 each. Payments can be made via check, money order, or credit card.

Processing Time: Simple amendments generally take 4 to 6 weeks, while more complex cases may take longer.

You can order an apostille directly through the Secretary of State or online through VRO’s Express Apostille Service. The Secretary of State issues Apostilles, which are often required when filing an Arizona death certificate with a foreign government that is part of the 1961 Hague Convention.

If you are manually submitting a request for an apostille to the Arizona Secretary of State's Office, you will need to provide the following items:

1. The certified copy of your death certificate, with the original signature and seal of the current Arizona State Registrar;
2. A completed Authentication and Apostille Form (specify the country you will submit the document to); and
3. A payment of $3.00 per document – checks and money orders should be made payable to the "Arizona Secretary of State," or you can provide your credit card information.

Submit your request to the Arizona Secretary of State Authentication and Apostille Division at the following addresses:

In-person/by mail (standard or express courier):

Simultaneous requests by mail:

You can obtain a certified copy of an Arizona death certificate through the Arizona Department of Health Services, Office of Vital Records. Requests can be submitted online, by mail, or in person at the Office of Vital Records in Phoenix. You will need to provide the full legal name of the deceased, date of death, place of death, and your relationship to the deceased. You can also use authorized online services like VitalRecordsOnline.com to file your request.

A certified copy of an Arizona death certificate costs $20 through the Office of Vital Records. Each additional copy is also $20 regardless of whether they are ordered at the same time. When using an authorized online service like VitalRecordsOnline.com, fees start at $29.00 plus applicable state fees.

Arizona death certificates are available to the general public, but access to the cause of death information is restricted. Anyone can request a copy that shows basic details such as the name, date, and place of death. However, only the spouse, parent, child, or sibling of the deceased, a legal representative of the estate, or someone with a court order can obtain a copy that includes the cause and manner of death. You must specify which version you need when placing your order.

Yes, you can order an Arizona death certificate online through the Arizona Department of Health Services or through authorized services like VitalRecordsOnline.com. You will need to provide details about the deceased and valid identification. Online orders are typically processed within 5 to 7 business days. If you need the certificate urgently, expedited processing and shipping options may be available for an additional fee.