Get a certified Colorado Death Certificate
Order an official Colorado death certificate from home. We prepare your application and you sign it online, then we file it with the state. CDPHE mails the certified copy to you.
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Disclaimer
Vital Records Online (VRO) is an independent, SOC 2 compliant document preparation service and is not a government agency. VRO is not an approved vendor of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). You can order directly from CDPHE for the state fee alone; VRO charges a separate service fee to prepare and file your application.
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Colorado Death Certificate
Learn how to order a Colorado death certificate from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). The state fee is $25.00 for the first certified copy, and additional copies of the same record ordered at the same time are $20.00 each. CDPHE says mail applications can take up to 21 to 25 business days to process, plus mail time. Certified copies are issued to the spouse, close relatives, legal representatives and others who can show a direct and tangible interest in the record.
How to Order State of Colorado Death Certificate
You can order a Colorado death certificate through VRO's online filing service. VRO offers a secure and simple way to order a death certificate. We prepare and verify your application, then deliver it to CDPHE for processing. CDPHE issues the certificate and mails it to you. You can also place the order yourself in person (by appointment at the state office in Denver, or at a local vital records office) or by mail through CDPHE by following the specific steps and meeting certain requirements. Confirm and review the costs, eligibility, requirements, and current processing times before ordering to ensure a smooth application process.
Ordering with VRO
Requesting a Colorado death certificate through our online filing service is quick and easy.
- Complete the online application and upload your ID.
- Sign your application online.
- We prepare and verify your application.
- We send the complete application, with the state fee, to CDPHE. CDPHE processes it and mails the certified copy to you.
Colorado accepts an online signature, so you sign your application in your VRO account. There is nothing to print or mail back.
Starting from
$19 VRO service fee
+ $25.00 state fee, 1 certified copy included
Extra copies $20.00 each, added to the same order
Benefits of Ordering Online with VRO
- 5 minutes process
- No waiting in lines
- You sign online, nothing to print or mail back
- Simplified application process
- 24 hour service
- Online assistance by specialists
- Verification and error-checking
- Status updates on identity verification and shipment to CDPHE
- Pay online by credit card
Ordering in Person
The CDPHE Vital Records office in Denver is open to the public by appointment only, and walk-ins are not accepted. Appointments open on the 1st of each month until they are filled. Local (county) vital records offices also issue Colorado death certificates. The process will include:
- Complete the Application for Certified Death Certificate.
- Gather your ID, proof of relationship and payment.
- Schedule an appointment with CDPHE Vital Records, or contact your local vital records office.
- Present the application, documents and payment at your appointment.
Ordering By Mail
To order your Colorado death certificate by mail, you need to follow these steps:
- Complete the Application for Certified Death Certificate and sign it.
- Enclose a copy of your ID and proof of your relationship to the deceased.
- Include the fees listed on the application ($25 for the first copy, $20 for each additional copy).
- Mail everything to the address printed on the CDPHE application.
required documents
What Documents Are Required to Order a Colorado Death Certificate?
Every Colorado death certificate request must include a copy of the requester's identification. CDPHE accepts one unexpired document from the primary list, or two documents from the secondary list if you do not have a primary ID; documents expired more than six months are not accepted. You also need proof of your relationship to the deceased or of your direct and tangible interest, such as a birth or marriage certificate, an insurance policy or a court order. When you order through VRO, we verify your documents before filing.
Primary ID Requirements: Options | Secondary ID Requirements Options |
|---|---|
Alien Registration Receipt/Permanent Resident Card | Acknowledgment of Parentage Document (Colorado Only) |
CDPHE does not accept a matricula consular card, an IRS ITIN card or letter, novelty ID cards, souvenir or hospital birth certificates, out-of-state temporary driver's licenses and ID cards, or a Military Common Access Card (CAC).
Cost & fees
What Does It Cost To Replace a Death Certificate in Colorado?
A certified copy of a Colorado death certificate costs $25.00 from CDPHE, and each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time costs $20.00. If the date of death is unknown, CDPHE adds a search fee of $1.00 per year searched. CDPHE does not offer a rush option for mail applications. When using VRO's online filing service, the fee starts at $19.00, plus state fees.
State Fee |
|---|
$25.00 |
Additional Copy |
|---|
1 x $20.00 |
Search (date unknown) |
|---|
$1.00 per year |
How Many Copies of a Colorado Death Certificate Should You Order?
It is generally recommended to order at least three to four certified copies of a Colorado death certificate. Multiple copies are often needed simultaneously for different purposes, and having extras on hand can save time and additional fees later.
Common situations requiring a certified copy include closing bank accounts, filing insurance claims, transferring property titles, settling the estate through probate court, and notifying government agencies such as the Social Security Administration. Each institution typically requires its own original certified copy and will not accept photocopies.
Ordering additional copies at the time of your initial request is more cost-effective than placing separate orders later. CDPHE charges $20 for each additional copy ordered at the same time, instead of $25 for a new order.
Why You May Need a Colorado Death Certificate
A certified copy of a Colorado death certificate is a vital legal document required in numerous situations following a person's passing.
Colorado death certificates are commonly required to:
• Settle the deceased's estate - Probate courts require a certified death certificate to begin the estate settlement process, distribute assets, and transfer property titles.
• Claim life insurance benefits - Insurance companies require an official certified copy before processing any death benefit claims.
• Close or transfer financial accounts - Banks, investment firms, and retirement account administrators need a certified copy to release funds or transfer account ownership.
• Apply for survivor benefits - The Social Security Administration and other agencies require a death certificate when applying for survivor or dependent benefits.
• Transfer vehicle titles and real estate - The Colorado DMV and county recorder's office require certified copies for ownership transfers.
Processing time
How Long Does It Take to Receive a Death Certificate in Colorado?
CDPHE says mail applications can take up to 21 to 25 business days to process, plus mail time. To avoid delays, we recommend using VRO's online service, which helps ensure that submissions are complete and error-free. Expedited options at checkout speed up VRO's preparation and submission of your application; they do not change CDPHE processing time.
Mail application (CDPHE) |
|---|
Up to 21 to 25 business days |
Authorization
Who is Authorized to Order a Colorado Death Certificate?
Colorado death certificates are not public records. CDPHE issues certified copies only to people who can prove their relationship to the deceased or a direct and tangible interest in the record, and every requester must send a copy of acceptable ID. For deaths more than 25 years ago, more distant relatives can qualify with proof of relationship, and the copy is marked "For Genealogical Use Only".
Authorized People
- Spouse listed on the certificate
- Ex-spouse with proof of interest
- Parents and stepparents
- Children and stepchildren
- Siblings and half-siblings
- Funeral director or informant listed on the certificate
- Legal representatives
- Attorney-in-fact (durable power of attorney)
- Beneficiaries, insurers, creditors and probate researchers with proof of interest
- Grandparents, in-laws, aunts, uncles and cousins with proof of interest
Other services
Other Colorado Death Record Services
Ordering a copy is not the only request CDPHE Vital Records handles for a death record. These are the other services it offers, with the state's fee and what to send.
Correct a death record
Errors on a Colorado death certificate are fixed with the Death Certificate Correction form, a copy of your ID and proof of eligibility, and documents that prove the correct information. Changes to the cause of death must come from the physician, coroner or medical examiner who certified the death. See the CDPHE corrections page.
- $25 correction fee
- Certified copies of the corrected record: $25, then $20 each
- By mail, or in person by appointment
Death verification
If you only need official confirmation that a death was recorded in Colorado, CDPHE also issues a certified death verification instead of a copy of the certificate.
- $25 first verification, $20 each additional
- $1 per year searched if the date is unknown
Genealogy and older death records
Death records more than 25 years old can be issued to grandparents, in-laws, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins with proof of relationship (a family tree is acceptable). The copy is marked "For Genealogical Use Only". A genealogist who is not related needs a notarized signed release from an immediate family member. The Colorado State Archives also hold a wide range of historical records.
- Same $25 fee as a regular copy
- $1 per year searched if the date is unknown
Do I Need to Notarize My Application?
CDPHE does not require a notarized application for a certified Colorado death certificate. The application must be signed by the person requesting the record. There are two exceptions: a genealogist who is not related to the deceased needs a notarized signed release from an immediate family member, and an attorney-in-fact must provide a notarized durable power of attorney.
Tracking
How to Track My Colorado Death Certificate Order
When you order through VRO, we send you status updates on identity verification and on the submission of your application to CDPHE. Once your application reaches CDPHE, order status is provided by Colorado Vital Records at 303-692-2200. We confirm when your application has been delivered to them.
If you are mailing your death certificate application yourself, it is recommended that you send it with tracking so you know when it arrives.
Once your certificate is mailed to you from the state office, CDPHE is not responsible for lost or misdirected certificates.
Are Colorado Death Records Public or Confidential?
Colorado death records are not public records. Under Colorado law (C.R.S. 25-2-118), a requester must have a direct and tangible interest in the record, and obtaining a record under false pretenses can lead to a fine of up to $1,000, up to one year in jail, or both. CDPHE issues certified copies to the spouse, close relatives, legal representatives and others who document their interest.
For deaths more than 25 years ago, more distant relatives can request a copy with proof of relationship, and the copy is marked "For Genealogical Use Only".
If you are unsure whether you qualify, VitalRecordsOnline.com can help you check before you apply.
Order Other Colorado Vital Records
You can also request other Colorado vital records through Vital Records Online:
You can also explore our related guides:
frequently asked questions
Other FAQs
Can a Funeral Home Order a Colorado Death Certificate on My Behalf?
Yes, most funeral homes in Colorado will order certified copies of the death certificate as part of their services, and the funeral director listed on the certificate is eligible to order copies. You can also order additional copies later through VitalRecordsOnline.com or the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
Are Colorado Death Certificates Public Record?
No. Colorado death certificates are issued only to people who can prove their relationship to the deceased or a direct and tangible interest. Records more than 25 years old can be issued to more distant relatives for genealogy, marked "For Genealogical Use Only".
How Do I Search for a Colorado Death Record If I Don't Know the Exact Details?
If you do not know the exact date of death, CDPHE can search its records for $1 per year searched, on top of the $25 copy fee. Give the full name of the deceased, the place of death and a range of dates on the application.
How to Get a Colorado Death Certificate
You can request a Colorado death certificate from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) by mail, in person by appointment at the state office in Denver, or from a local vital records office. Mail requests need a signed application, a copy of your ID, proof of relationship and the fee. CDPHE says mail applications can take up to 21 to 25 business days to process, plus mail time. VRO can prepare your application and file it with CDPHE for you.
How Much Does a Colorado Death Certificate Cost?
A certified copy of a Colorado death certificate costs $25 from CDPHE. Additional copies ordered at the same time cost $20 each. If the date of death is unknown, CDPHE charges $1 per year searched. Ordering through VRO adds a $19 service fee. Local vital records offices also issue death certificates.
Who Can Request a Colorado Death Certificate?
Colorado death certificates are restricted records. Eligible requesters include the spouse, parents and stepparents, children and stepchildren, siblings, legal representatives, the funeral director or informant listed on the certificate, and others who document a direct and tangible interest, such as a beneficiary or an insurer. Each requester must send a copy of acceptable ID and proof of eligibility. An attorney-in-fact can order with a notarized durable power of attorney; a medical power of attorney is not accepted.
Can I Order a Colorado Death Certificate Online?
CDPHE takes online and phone orders through its own authorized online provider. VRO is an independent preparation service: we prepare your application and send it to CDPHE by mail on your behalf. You will need the full name of the deceased, the date and place of death, and your relationship to the deceased. CDPHE says mail applications can take up to 21 to 25 business days to process, plus mail time.
How Do I Correct or Amend a Colorado Death Certificate?
Obtain and Fill Out the Necessary Form
Corrections are requested with the Death Certificate Correction form. Changes to the cause of death must come from the physician, coroner or medical examiner who certified the death.
Gather Supporting Documentation
Include a copy of your ID, proof of your eligibility, and documents that prove the correct information.
Pay the Correction Fee
CDPHE charges a $25.00 correction fee. Certified copies of the corrected certificate cost $25.00 for the first copy and $20.00 for each additional copy.
Submit the Application
Send the request by mail, or bring it to the CDPHE Vital Records office in Denver by appointment. CDPHE posts the receipt date of the corrections it is currently processing on its death certificate corrections page.
How Can I Get an Apostille for a Colorado Death Certificate?
You need an apostille when you file a death certificate with a foreign government in a country that is part of the Hague Convention. In Colorado, apostilles are issued by the Colorado Secretary of State.
We offer apostille services for death certificates across all 50 US states. VRO's apostille service starts at $49 (plus government fees).
For simultaneous requests, the CDPHE application lists an apostille fee of $5.00 per document, so you can request the apostille when you order the certified copy.
If you are manually submitting a request for an apostille to the Colorado Secretary of State, you will need to provide the following items:
- A death certificate certified by Colorado Vital Records or a Colorado county office;
- The completed Apostilles and Authentications Request Form, including the country where the document will be used;
- A payment of $5.00 per apostille by mail or drop-off, or $15.00 for expedited walk-in service, by check or money order payable to "Colorado Secretary of State". Credit cards are not accepted.
By mail or drop-off:
Mailed requests are processed in the order received, and the Secretary of State does not issue apostilles online. Expedited service is for documents hand delivered before 4:30pm. See the Secretary of State apostille page.