Introduction to Arizona Death Certificates

This article is designed to help you get an Arizona Death certificate.  Counter to common belief, not everything is on the Internet.  Personal Death certificates are one of the items that are not readily available online, and that is probably a good thing.  You do not want your Death certificate in the public domain, where it can be seen by anyone.  However, this does not mean that you can’t easily get your Death certificate.  

Arizona Death certificates have been maintained by the Arizona State Office of Vital Records for individuals that died in the state of Arizona since 1909.

Arizona Death Certificate Authorized Persons

By Arizona state law, Arizona Death certificates are confidential records and can only be obtained by the following authorized individuals:

• Mother/Father of Person Named on the Arizona Death Certificate
• Grandparent of Person Named on the Arizona Death Certificate
• Husband/Wife of Person Named on the Arizona Death Certificate
• Adult Son/Daughter of Person Named on the Arizona Death Certificat
• Adult Sister/Brother of Person Named on the Arizona Death Certificate
• Attorneys Representing Estates
• Legal Guardian of Person Named on the Arizona Death Certificate (A legal guardian must submit a certified copy of the guardianship papers granted by the court when requesting a Death certificate.)  

Arizona Death Certificate for Genealogy Purposes

A genealogist is eligible for an Arizona Death certificate that is NOT public record if all of the following criteria are met: 

   
1. The applicant establishes a relationship to the individual whose Arizona Death certificate they are requesting

• Acceptable types of credible documentation to establish relationship: Death certificate, Death certificate, Marriage certificate.
• Non-acceptable types of documentation to establish relationship: Pedigrees, Lineage charts, Family trees.

2. The applicant submits a signed application.
3. The applicant provides valid government issued identification or notarized signature on the application.
4. The application submits the appropriate fee(s).

A genealogist requesting a Arizona Death certificate that IS public record does not need to establish relationship to the individual whose record they are requesting but must submit the following:

1. A signed application
2. The applicant provides valid government issued identification or notarized signature on the application
3. The appropriate fee(s).  

Arizona Death Certificate Ordering Options

Options Option 1 – Order Arizona Death Certificate Online

This option is the simplest and easiest way to get your Arizona Death Certificate.  Order online and you will get your Arizona Death Certificate usually in less than a week.  Many times you will have the option of receiving your vital record by next-day or second-day service.

Order Birth and Death Records Online!  

Option 2 – Order Arizona Death Certificate through the Mail

For Arizona Deaths that occurred from 1990 to the present, you can request certified copies by mail from the county office locations or from the state office.

For all Deaths that occurred before 1990, you MUST file your application with the state office.  It usually takes 15-20 days upon receipt of request to be sent to you:

Step 1: Download Mail-In Application

Step 2: Please provide as much of the following information as possible to locate the Arizona Death certificate:

• Full name of person at Death on the Arizona Death certificate
• Date of Death on the Arizona Death certificate
• Sex on the Arizona Death certificate
• County (or city) of Death on the Arizona Death certificate
• Your name 
• Your signature 
• Your relationship to the person whose Arizona Death certificate you are requesting 
• Address where the Arizona Death certificate is to be mailed 
• Self addressed stamped envelope
• Your daytime phone number

 

State Office of Vital Records

1818 W. Adams St.

Phoenix, AZ 85007

Option 3 – In Person

For Arizona Deaths that occurred from 1990 to the present, you can request certified Death certificates in person from the county office locations.

Arizona Death Certificate Ordering Cost

The fee to search for an Arizona Death certificate varies by county. Money Orders should be made payable to "Arizona State Office of Vital Records." Please do not send cash or personal checks. Fees are not refundable. Additional fees are required for expedited service.