Get a certified Delaware Death Certificate

You can request a Delaware death certificate from the Delaware Division of Public Health, Office of Vital Statistics. Requests can be made online, by mail, or in person at the Dover office. Mail requests require a completed application, a copy of your photo ID, and a check or money order for $25.

A certified copy of a Delaware death certificate costs $25. Additional copies ordered at the same time are also $25 each. Online orders may include convenience fees. If you need multiple copies for insurance claims, estate settlement, or property transfers, plan accordingly.

Delaware death certificates are restricted records. Eligible requesters include the surviving spouse, a parent, adult child, or sibling of the deceased, the executor or administrator of the estate, a funeral director, and government agencies acting in an official capacity. Valid ID and proof of eligibility are required. An authorized party may designate a representative through a notarized Power of Attorney (PoA).

Yes. You can order a Delaware death certificate online through the Division of Public Health or authorized third-party providers. You will need the full name of the deceased, date of death, and place of death. Online orders require a credit or debit card.

An officially certified death certificate from the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DPH) includes unique security features to verify its authenticity. While the appearance of an official death certificate may vary depending on the year it was issued, it will consistently contain essential information confirming the individual's identity at the time of death. Typically, an official death certificate from Delaware displays the state seal, the individual's name, the date and place of death, and the state registrar's signature. These certificates are printed on secure, tamper-resistant paper with watermarks and other security elements. The Department of Public Health issues certificates according 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: The deceased's age, sex, race, ethnicity, marital status, education level, and occupation.
• 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.

The process to correct or amend a Delaware death certificate varies based on the type of correction needed. When an amendment is made, a new certificate is issued with the correct information instead of altering the original certificate.

You must submit a written request to the Delaware Department of Public Health to amend a death record.

Supporting documentation requirements: You'll need valid identification and proof of correct information for minor corrections like spelling errors. Medical corrections require a signed statement from the certifying physician or medical examiner. At the same time, legal name changes and significant amendments may need a court order.

Submit your amendment: request either by mail (sending the completed Request for Amendment form and supporting documents to the Delaware Division of Public Health, Office of Vital Statistics at 417 Federal Street, Dover, DE 19901) or in person at Delaware Vital Records Offices in Dover, Wilmington, or Georgetown.

The amendment fee is $25.00 per certified copy, which includes the amendment process. Make payment by check or money order for mail applications or by credit card for in-person submissions.

Processing times vary, typically taking 3 to 4 weeks. More complex amendments involving medical or legal documentation may require additional time.

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, often required when filing a Delaware death certificate with a foreign government that is part of the 1961 Hague Convention.

We offer comprehensive apostille services for death certificates across all 50 US states. Governments and organizations acknowledge the service, which is legally valid in over 100 countries. VRO’s service comes with expert support, costs $149 (plus government fees), and can be accomplished online in just three steps.

If you are manually submitting a request for an apostille to the Delaware 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 Delaware State Registrar;
2. A completed Apostille/Authentication Request Form (specify which country you will submit the document to) and
3. A payment of $30.00 per document – checks and money orders should be made payable to the "Delaware Secretary of State," or you can provide your credit card information.

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

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