Getting death certificates for estate matters

Quick answerOrder several certified copies early. Banks, insurers, brokerages, the probate court, the registry of deeds, the DMV and pension plans often want a certified copy; some return it, many keep it. The funeral home usually orders the first copies.

Certified vs. informational copies

Use certified copies for legal and financial matters. Plain photocopies or informational copies are usually not accepted to transfer assets.

Who typically asks for one

Banks and brokerages
Life insurers and annuity companies
Retirement plan administrators
Probate court (if there is a case, or when filing the will)
Registry of deeds or county recorder (real estate, TOD deeds)
DMV (vehicle titles)

Social Security is usually notified by the funeral home.

New Hampshire

Where to order: Any New Hampshire town or city clerk, or the NH Division of Vital Records Administration (official site). The funeral home usually orders the first certified copies for the family.

Certified copies cost $15 for the first copy and $10 for each additional copy ordered at the same time; copies go only to people with a “direct and tangible interest.”

Fee: $15 for the search and first copy, $10 for each subsequent copy. Source: RSA 5-C:10, checked Oct 29, 2026.
Death records are released only to people with a direct and tangible interest; death records before 1948 are public. Source: RSA 5-C:102, checked Oct 29, 2026.

California

Where to order: The county recorder or the California Department of Public Health vital records office (official site). The funeral home usually orders the first certified copies for the family.

Eligibility rules and fees for this state are not yet verified on this site; check the official vital records office.

Texas

Where to order: The local registrar or county clerk, or Texas DSHS Vital Statistics (official site). The funeral home usually orders the first certified copies for the family.

Eligibility rules and fees for this state are not yet verified on this site; check the official vital records office.

Florida

Where to order: A county health department or the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics (official site). The funeral home usually orders the first certified copies for the family.

Eligibility rules and fees for this state are not yet verified on this site; check the official vital records office.

Ohio

Where to order: A local health department or the Ohio Department of Health Office of Vital Statistics (official site). The funeral home usually orders the first certified copies for the family.

Eligibility rules and fees for this state are not yet verified on this site; check the official vital records office.

Back to the executor checklist.

Was this helpful?