Introduction to Arkansas Death Certificates

This article is designed to help you get an Arkansas Death certificate.  Counter to common belief, not everything is on the Internet.  Individual 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.    

Arkansas Death certificates have been maintained by the Arkansas Department of Health for individuals that died in the state of Arkansas since 1914, with some records from the two most populous cities (Little Rock and Fort Smith) dating back all the way to 1881.

Arkansas Death Certificate Authorized Persons

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

• Mother/Father (or Legal Guardian) of Person Named on the Arkansas Death Certificate
• Husband/Wife of Person Named on the Arkansas Death Certificate 
• Son/Daughter of Person Named on the Arkansas Death Certificate 
• Sister/Brother of Person Named on the Arkansas Death Certificate 
• Legal Representative of an Authorized Person of Person Named on the Arkansas Death Certificate

Arkansas Death Certificate for Genealogy Purpose

Anyone can obtain an Arkansas Death Certificate, 50 years or later from the date of the Death for genealogy or other reasons.

Arkansas Death Certificate Ordering

Options Option 1 – Order Arkansas Death Certificate Online

This option is the simplest and easiest way to get your Arkansas Death Certificate.  Order online and you will get your Arkansas 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 Arkansas Death Certificate through the Mail

Follow the instructions below, if you are not ordering your Arkansas Death certificate online.  It usually takes 4-6 weeks 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 Arkansas Death certificate:

• Full name of person at Death on the Arkansas Death certificate
• Date of Death on the Arkansas Death certificate
• Sex on the Arkansas Death certificate
• County (or city) of Death on the Arkansas Death certificate
• Your name 
• Your signature 
• Your relationship to the person whose Arkansas Death certificate you are requesting 
• Address where the Arkansas Death certificate is to be mailed 
• Self addressed stamped envelope
• Your daytime phone number
• By Mail: Send the above information and the appropriate fee to:

 

Vital Records Section-Slot 44

Date 4815 West Markham Street

Little Rock, AR 72205

Option 3 – In Person

In Person in Arkansas: You may go to any county health department in the State of Arkansas to obtain a certified copy of an Arkansas Death certificate. Most Arkansas Death certificates can be issued while you wait.

Arkansas Death Certificate Ordering Cost

The fee to search for an Arkansas Death certificate is $10.00, which includes one certified copy of the Arkansas Death certificate or a "Certificate of Failure to Find." For each additional copy of the Arkansas Death certificate ordered at the same time, the fee is $8.00. Checks or Money Orders should be made payable to "Arkansas Department of Health." Please do not send cash. Fees are not refundable. Additional fees are required for expedited service.