Get a certified Arizona Death Certificates

The state of Arizona does not document deaths that occur on U.S. military bases overseas. If the individual’s parents were U.S. citizens, their death is instead registered with the U.S. Department of State. To secure a copy of this record, contact the U.S. Department of State and request a Consular Report of Death Abroad (CRDA or form DS-5542).

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.

Arizona death certificates are among the most important legal documents, providing the only official proof of an individual's death. These certificates are essential for various purposes, primarily legal, financial, and personal. After someone has died, vital records like death certificates are crucial for managing financial affairs, filing benefit claims, verifying information for institutions, settling estates, and accessing benefits from government agencies.

Death certificates are often useful 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

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: