Get a certified Idaho Death Certificate

Idaho does not record deaths that occur on U.S. military bases overseas. These deaths are registered with the U.S. Department of State if the deceased's parents were U.S. citizens at the time. https://www.vitalrecordsonline.com/glossary/consular-report-of-birth-abroad You can request the necessary documentation by contacting the U.S. Department of State and obtaining a Consular Report of Death Abroad (CRDA or form DS-5542).

An officially certified death certificate from the Idaho Department of Health will have unique security features to ensure its authenticity. The appearance of an official death certificate may vary depending on the year of issue. Still, it will contain essential details confirming the individual's identity at death. Official death certificates from Idaho 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 IDH 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.

Idaho death certificates are one of the most important legal documents and are the only official proof of a person's passing. They are essential for various purposes and in legal, financial, and personal matters. This vital record is crucial for managing financial affairs, filing benefit claims, verifying information for institutions, settling estates, and accessing benefits from government agencies after someone has died.

Death certificates are often helpful 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

The process to correct or amend an Idaho death certificate depends on the type of correction required. When an amendment is made, the original certificate is not altered; a new certificate is issued with the correct information.

Determine the Type of Correction Needed

The process for amending or correcting a death certificate in Idaho varies depending on the type of correction required. Common amendments include correcting misspelled names, correcting the date or place of death, updating demographic information (such as age, marital status, or occupation), and updating the cause of death (which requires medical or legal documentation).

Obtain the Necessary Form

To request an amendment or correction, you must complete the Idaho Vital Records Legal Action Request form. This form can be obtained from the Idaho Department of Health (IDH) website or by directly contacting the Idaho Department of Health.

Gather Supporting Documentation

For minor corrections (such as spelling errors), a valid ID and proof of the correct information (e.g., birth certificate, marriage certificate, or government ID) may be sufficient. A signed statement from the certifying physician or medical examiner is required for medical corrections (such as changes to the cause of death). A court order may be necessary for legal name changes or other significant amendments.

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

Alternatively, you can manually send your certificate to the Secretary of State’s Office.

If you are manually sending your certificates to the Secretary of State, you will need to submit the following documents:

1. The certificate you need to be apostilled. The document must be a certified copy (such as a certified vital record copy)
2. A payment of $10.00 per document you wish to have apostilled. Checks or money orders must be made payable to the “Secretary of State” (you can also provide credit card information).
3. A completed Apostille Request Form. You must specify the country for which you need the apostille.

Simultaneous Order Request

You can order a new vital records certificate from the Bureau of Vital Records, and request they forward it to the Secretary of State for an additional $10 fee.

SPECIAL HANDLING FEE FOR APOSTILLE Prior to sending your certificate and completed apostille application to the Idaho Secretary of State, first visit healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/vitalrecords or call 208-334-5980 for instructions. Make your SIGNED check or money order payable to Idaho Vital Records. All Vital Records fees may be paid with ONE check or money order. Overpayments of less than $10.00 are not refunded unless requested in writing.

You can submit requests for vital record apostilles to the DHW-BVR Secretary of State’s Office at the following addresses.

For express shipping (UPS, DHL, or Federal Express), submit the request to the physical address:

Secretary of State’s Office, Attn: Notary Department,450 N 4th Street, Boise, ID 83702

For standard mail, use the following address:

PO Box 83720, Boise ID 83720-0080

You can reach the office at (208) 334-2301 or online at https://sos.idaho.gov/apostille/