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1. What do we need certified copies for?

Certified copies of death certified copies for Arizona death certificates are important documents and often are needed when managing wills and trusts, tax filings, amending real estate deeds, bank records, for benefits enrollment and other legal matters.

2. Who may apply for copies of Arizona death certificates?

Arizona is a “closed” records state which means only certain parties may receive a copy of this important document. State law explains that only “eligible” applicants may apply for a certified copy of this important document. This is established by providing direct proof of relationship to the Decedent and may also require establishing the applicant’s “legal or other vital interest” in the death certificate.

Common examples of establishing legal or other vital interest could include the applicant being named as a beneficiary in Will or Trust or the Decedent and the applicant being named jointly on financial documents. Please read the eligibility requirements tab below for more information.

3. Where do I find your offices?

Our offices are located valley wide and accessed easily from major highways. We are open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Please arrive by 4 p.m. if you are needing to discuss a possible correction with one of our Deputy Local Registrars.

4. Need a certified copy of a death certificate from a different state?

If you are in need of a death certificate from a different state you will want to view the Where to Write for Vital Records page.

5. How long does it take after a person passes away for the death certificate to be available?

In Arizona, a funeral home or other similar agency has up to 7 days to submit complete and accurate information regarding a death in our county. Next and in most cases, a death certificate is available approximately 3-5 business days after these events.

However, certain circumstances may delay this time frame. Please contact the funeral home or other agency with whom you are communicating about this death event to learn if they have completed their filing.

6. I thought I was able to receive 2 “free” copies of the death certificate?

The federal government in association with the Veteran’s Affairs Office and the Social Security Administration assist eligible family members filing claims (VA or SSA) for survivor benefits and burial benefits. Eligible parties may request a special certified copy with a stamp, “For Government Use Only” for use with filing these unique government claims. These copies will not be accepted by other agencies as official certified copies.

*Note: The Social Security Administration is notified electronically once someone has passed and typically no longer requires these specially stamped certified copies. Again, please know, these certificates will not be accepted by any other agency.

7. Will I receive the certified copies of an Arizona death certificate the same day I apply?

In most cases, when applying in person at a Maricopa County Vital Registration Office you may be able to receive a certified copy of an Arizona event the same day you make an eligible application. However, there are some instances when additional time will be needed to process your request. Such instances could include but are not limited to the following examples:

•  Requesting corrections to the certificate
•  Providing additional factual documentation to meet eligibility requirements
•  Need to make payment in the accepted form

8. How can I correct information on an Arizona death or fetal death certificate?

The procedure to make changes from changing or adding a name spelling, to correcting errors in the information provided at the time of registration varies with type of change requested and how recently the certificate was filed.

Please review the information on the Death Certificate Corrections page for further details regarding the most commonly requested correction changes and review or print out the forms you may need to prepare before submitting your requests.

Our Deputy Local Registrars are also available by telephone to assist you with further questions, Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 602-506-6805.

9. Who may apply for copies of Arizona death certificates?

Arizona is a “closed” records state which means only certain parties may receive a copy of this important document. State law explains that only “eligible” applicants may apply for a certified copy of this important document. This is established by providing direct proof of relationship to the Decedent and may also require establishing the applicant’s “legal or other vital interest” in the death certificate. Common examples of establishing legal or other vital interest could include the applicant being named as a beneficiary in Will or Trust or the Decedent and the applicant being named jointly on financial documents.