A death certificate is often required to settle a deceased person’s affairs. A death certificate is required to collect life insurance benefits, transfer property, or settle debts. A death certificate is the official record of a person’s death and must be officially recorded in the county or state where the death occurred.
How Is a Death Certificate Made?
When someone passes away in the United States, a death certificate must be filed with the vital records office in the county or state where the death occurred. The death certificate is typically completed by the hospital or nursing facility where the death occurred, or by the coroner if the death was unexpected.
What Information Is Included on a Death Certificate?
A death certificate includes the following information:
- Full name of the deceased
- Age or birth date
- Date of death
- Place of death
- Cause of death
- Marital status
- Occupation
- Full names of parents
Where to Get a Death Certificate
You can get a death certificate from the vital records office in the county or state where the death was registered. You can request a death certificate from the vital records office in person, by mail, or through online services like Vital Records Online.