


They provide basic information about the deceased and do not include sensitive information. The state may refer you to a local agency or may have possession of the certificate.ĭeath indexes are more readily accessible. To obtain an official death certificate, begin by contacting the state in which the individual resided. The restriction expires within 50 to 100 years, depending on the state. The information included in these records can be more sensitive, so they are sometimes restricted by the state. The official death certificate is issued at the time of one’s death and includes vital information about the deceased. There are two types of death records: official death certificates and death indexes. In the 21st century, certain forms of death records have become much more accessible than others. It is now required by federal law for all states to keep death records, but what must be included in a death record can vary. However, some states, such as Massachusetts, have had death records as early as the 1600s. Vital records have been kept by most states since the early 1900s. Regardless of the reason, there are many ways to gain access to a death record. You may be a surviving spouse who needs a death record to gain access to your spouse’s real estate assets. For example, you may be an executor of an estate.

There are many reasons why you may need a death record. Death Records as Public RecordĪre Death Records Available To The Public In The United States?ĭeath records are included with birth records under the category of "vital records." These records are created by local authorities throughout the United States and may also be created overseas by the military. Other searches available in the member’s area include criminal records, court records, lien records, driving records, vehicle records, people search, background checks, and phone number lookups. Other vital records searches include birth records, marriage records, and divorce records. In the member’s area you will find our “Vital Records” section, and our death records search is in that section.
