How to Find Records of Deceased Relatives
Records of deceased relatives are kept at the state's Department of Health or Vital Records office (the name of the office varies by state). In some states, such as Arizona and California, death records are also kept by the local County Recorder's office. Each state requires that those requesting a certified record be a spouse, child or parent of the deceased. Others must have a lawful right or claim to the document, or they must obtain a court order. You can order non-certified records for genealogy purposes, and find death records in the county library.
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Instructions
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Office of Vital Records
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Decide the type of record you want. If the purpose is just for genealogy or research, you can order a genealogy or non-certified copy. Some states, such as New York, will provide a copy of the certified death record and copy the microfilm of the record for genealogy purposes. They will search for the death record within a 3- to 90-year period, if you are unsure of the date of death, for an additional fee. Certified death records can be ordered only by close relatives or those with a legal order or interest.
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Write a letter or complete an application asking for the death record, unless requesting the record online. Download an application online at the states' Office of Vital Records website. Include the deceased person's full name, date of birth, state of birth, date of death, city of death, county of death, his Social Security number, his birth mother or parent, and full name of spouse and descendants, if applicable. You also must include the reason for wanting the record. If you do not have all of this information about the deceased, enter the information that you do have. The office may have trouble finding the record or may decide not to honor your request without all of the information.
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Sign the sworn statement. Some states such as California require a sworn statement if you are requesting a certified death record. This statement is part of the application and verifies your relationship to the deceased person. It also must be notarized. Most states do not require notarization for any type of death record, especially for non-certified records.
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Submit the required fee. Fee varies per state and county. The fee in California is $12, New York is $30, and in Arizona the fee is $10.
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Submit valid ID. Most states will require that you show identification in person, or send a copy of your state-issued or military identification card, and possibly a utility bill proving your address if ordering the death record by mail, in person or online.
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Submit the application, fee, identification documents in person and other documents such as a court order, if needed, by mail, in person or online. For example, California will allow you to order a record by mail from the state Vital Records office or the county recorder's office. New York will allow you to request the death record online. You must fax or mail a copy of your identification after you submit the online application before the record is issued.
Library
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Locate the county library. Go to a county library in the county in which the person died or the county where relatives would have posted an obituary.
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Get microfiche for the local newspaper in the year and month that the person died. You may also want to request a microfiche for the following month in case the obituary was posted late.
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Look through the obituary section of the county newspaper for an obituary announcement.
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