You can get copies of death certificates from the local Vital Records Office in the town of the deceased. They often have pre-made forms you can fill out, and then you drop them off in person, mail them, or submit them online with whatever fees they make you pay.
To find the right government office, just google: “Nashville vital records death certificate request” but put in the relevant city instead of Nashville and look for the .gov site that talks about requesting death certificates.
The specific information you need to get a death certificate will depend on the state you live in, but most follow a similar format.
What Information You Need to Request a Death Certificate
The type of information needed on a request for death certificates varies based on local practices & requirements, but generally includes:
- Your relationship to the deceased
- Name
- Date
- Phone Number
- Personal Address
- Number of copies requested (here’s how many death certificates we recommend)
- Signature
- Name of deceased
- Proof of identity when requesting an official, or certified version as opposed to informational
- Check, cash, or other payment method
- Date and city of death (sometimes)
- Last known address of the deceased (sometimes)
Here’s what that form from San Diego looks like for context:
How Much Do Death Certificates Cost?
Different states charge different amounts. The first death certificate you ask for tends to cost more, and all subsequent ones tend to be cheaper.
For example, in Texas the first one is $21, but all following ones are $4 each.*
Who Needs Death Certificates When Someone Dies?
A variety of people and organizations could need certified (official) or photocopied (unofficial) versions of a death certificate during probate and estate settlement, including the DMV, creditors, the VA, the IRS, banks, and more.
To figure out who needs what, read: Who Needs Death Certificates When Someone Dies?
All the deadlines, responsibilities, and tasks executor's need to know
That sums up what you need to know about getting a death certificate. To see everything else executors need to do in just 5-10 minutes, check this guide out: Executor of an Estate Master Guide: Duties and How to Succeed
