Introduction to Colorado Death Certificates

This article is designed to help you get a Colorado 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.  

Colorado Death certificates have been maintained by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment for individuals that died in the state of Colorado since 1900. 

Colorado Death Certificate Authorized Persons

By Colorado state law, Colorado 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 Colorado Death Certificate
• Grandparents and Great Grandparents of Person Named on the Colorado Death Certificate
• Stepparents of Person Named on the Colorado Death Certificate
• Husband/Wife of Person Named on the Colorado Death Certificate
• Ex-Spouse of Person Named on the Colorado Death Certificate with proof of direct and tangible interest 
• Adult Son/Daughter of Person Named on the Colorado Death Certificate
• Adult grandchildren of Person Named on the Colorado Death Certificate
• Stepchildren of Person Named on the Colorado Death Certificate
• Sister/Brother of Person Named on the Colorado Death Certificate 
• Legal Representative of an Authorized Person of Person Named on the Colorado Death Certificate
• Legal representative of the deceased
• Decedent's physician of Person Named on the Colorado Death Certificate
• Funeral Director of Person Named on the Colorado Death Certificate
• Employer of decendent so benefits can be processed
• Insurance company processing decedent's claim or death benefits
• Probate researchers
• Genealogists representing immediate family members with appropriate credentials
• Creditors of Person Named on the Colorado Death Certificate
• Others who may demonstrate a direct and tangible interest when information is needed for
  determination or protection of a personal or property right
• Informant listed on the requested death certificate

Colorado Death Certificate for Genealogy Purpose

Colorado will let any genealogist representing family with proper credentials of Person Named on the Colorado Death Certificate to obtain a Colorado Death Certificate.

Colorado Death Certificate Ordering

Options Option 1 – Order Colorado Death Certificate Online

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

Follow the instructions below, if you are not ordering your Colorado Death certificate online.  It usually takes 3 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 Colorado Death certificate:

• Full name of person at Death on the Colorado Death certificate
• Date of Death on the Colorado Death certificate
• Sex on the Colorado Death certificate
• County (or city) of Death on the Colorado Death certificate
• Your name 
• Your signature 
• Your relationship to the person whose Colorado Death certificate you are requesting 
• Address where the Colorado 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:

 

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

Vital Records Section

4300 Cherry Creek Drive South

HSVRD-VR-A1

Denver, CO 80246-1530

Option 3 – In Person

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

Colorado Death Certificate Ordering Cost

The fee to search for a Colorado Death certificate is $17.00, which includes one certified copy of the Colorado Death certificate or a "Certificate of Failure to Find." For each additional copy of the Colorado Death certificate ordered at the same time, the fee is $10.00. Checks or Money Orders should be made payable to "Colorado Vital Records." Please do not send cash. Fees are not refundable. Additional fees are required for expedited service.