Get certified Tennessee Death Certificate

If a loved one passes away on a military base overseas, the state of Tennessee won't have a death certificate for them. Instead, deaths that occur on U.S. military bases abroad are registered with the U.S. Department of State, especially if their parents were U.S. citizens. This ensures that their legacy is honored and documented correctly. The process helps families remember and celebrate their loved ones with the respect they deserve. You must contact the U.S. Department of State to request a copy of your Consular Report of Death Abroad (CRDA or form DS-5542).

An official death certificate from the Tennessee Department of Health includes unique features that verify its authenticity. Although the design of the certificate may vary depending on the year it was issued, it will always include essential details needed to confirm a person's identity and citizenship at the time of death.

A long-form (official) death certificate is intended for legal purposes and differs from a short-form (informational) copy. Tennessee has specific guidelines that vary by county, which may include different colors and layouts. Generally, official death certificates feature the state seal, the deceased individual's name, and the registrar’s signature, and they are printed on secure paper.

• Full Name of the Person: The full legal name of the person whose death is being recorded.
• Date of Death: The exact date of death of the individual.
• Place of Death: The city, county, and state where the death occurred.
• Cause of Death
• Medical Information Related to the Death
• Demographic Information: Age, occupation, marital status.
• Funeral and Burial Details: Method, date, place of disposition, funeral director’s information.

Tennessee death certificates are important documents that serve as official proof of a person's passing. They are essential for various legal, financial, and personal matters. After losing a loved one, having this vital record is invaluable for managing financial affairs, filing benefit claims, and settling estates. These certificates play a crucial role in ensuring that everything is handled smoothly during a challenging time.

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

Settling the estate

The process for amending a Tennessee death certificate varies depending on the type of changes required. By law, the original record cannot be altered; an addendum is created to document the corrections. This addendum, also known as an affidavit, is issued alongside the original certificate and lists the corrected information while ensuring that the original details remain unchanged.

To correct or amend a Tennessee death certificate, you will typically need to provide the following:

1. A completed, notarized Affidavit: A notarized affidavit is a written statement made under oath and signed in the presence of a notary public. When submitting an affidavit to this office, it must be signed by one of the following individuals: the registrant if they are over 18 years old; if the registrant is under 18, it should be signed by a parent listed on the certificate or the child's legal guardian. (Include a copy of the guardianship papers if applicable.) The affidavit should contain the name and date of the event, the incorrect information as it appears on the certificate, and the correct information that should be listed.
2. Contact the court clerk's office in your county of residence to obtain a court order.
3. Supporting documentation: The documentary evidence submitted supporting an amendment should be the oldest document available. It must provide all of the following information:
4. • It must support the facts of the amendment request. For example, if you ask that your name be amended, the documentation must show your name as you wish it to be shown on your certificate.
   • It must be at least 5 years old (sometimes older documents are required). If the amendment is for a child under 5, the document must have been created as close to the date of birth.
   • It must show the date that the document was created.
   • It must show the registrant's full name and date of birth or age.
4. The appropriate fee(s): Visit the TDH website for a list of current costs associated with amending a record.

Apostille

An apostille is necessary to certify vital records for use in another country. The Tennessee Secretary of State issues apostilles for vital records filed initially with the Tennessee Department of Health, Office of Vital Statistics.

Apostilles can be requested from the Secretary of State or  Vital Records Online (VRO).

VRO offers reliable apostille services in all 50 states and is legally recognized by governments and organizations in over 100 countries for Tennessee birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates.

Once the apostille is issued, it will be sent to you by FedEx or DHL for global delivery. This ensures that your documents arrive at your doorstep regardless of location, whether in the US or internationally.

If you request an apostille by mail, you will need to provide the following information:

• Submit documents to be apostilled/authenticated.
• Include a completed Apostille/Authentication Request Form.
• Include the required $2.00 fee per apostille/authentication. Make the check payable to the Tennessee Office of Vital Records.
• Mail documents to:
  Business Services Division Tre Hargett, Secretary of State State of Tennessee 312 Rosa L. Parks Ave., 6th Fl. Nashville, TN 37243
• It is highly recommended to conduct a preliminary review before submitting the documents. Documents that are improperly notarized or certified will be rejected, leading to delays.

For simultaneous requests for a certified death record and apostille/authentication, include the following:

• Request a certified copy of your certificate. Complete the Death Certificate Application
• Include one check made payable to the Tennessee Office of Vital Records for the required number of certified copies ($15.00 per certified copy) and;
• Include a second check payable to the Tennessee Secretary of State for the apostille. (The fee for the apostille is $2.00 for each document.)
• Mail applications, documents, and checks directly to the Tennessee Office of Vital Records:
  Tennessee Vital Records Andrew Johnson Tower, 1st Floor 710 James Robertson Parkway Nashville, TN 37243

After preparing your certified copies, the Office of Vital Records will forward your copies, your check, and your request to the Tennessee Secretary of State. The Secretary of State will apply the apostille and return your documents to you as directed in your request.