Introduction to Mississippi Death Certificates

This article is designed to help you get a Mississippi 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.  

Mississippi Death Certificate Authorized Persons

By Mississippi state law, Mississippi 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 Mississippi Death Certificate
• Grandparents and Great Grandparents of Person Named on the Mississippi Death Certificate
• Husband/Wife of Person Named on the Mississippi Death Certificate 
• Adult Son/Daughter of Person Named on the Mississippi Death Certificate
• Sister/Brother of individual named on the Mississippi Death certificate
• Informant, must be listed on the Mississippi Death Record
• Funeral Home, must be the funeral home on record that took possession of the body
• Legal Representative of an Authorized Person of Person Named on the Mississippi Death Certificate

Mississippi Death Certificate for Genealogy Purpose

Mississippi Death certificates are available for genealogy purposes for Death events occurring over 50 years ago. Genealogy must be provided as purpose for Mississippi Death certificate and family relationship to the registrant must be specified. Plain paper Death certificates are provided for genealogy purposes.

Mississippi Death Certificate Ordering

Options Option 1 – Order Mississippi Death Certificate Online

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

Follow the instructions below, if you are not ordering your Mississippi Death certificate online.  It usually takes 7-10 business 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 Mississippi Death certificate:

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

 

Mississippi State Department of Health

Vital Records

Post Office Box 1700, Jackson, Mississippi 39215-1700

Option 3 – In Person

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

Mississippi Death Certificate Ordering Cost

The fee to search for a Mississippi Death certificate is $15.00, which includes one certified copy of the Mississippi Death certificate or a "Certificate of Failure to Find." For each additional copy of the Mississippi Death certificate ordered at the same time, the fee is $5.00. Checks or Money Orders should be made payable to "Mississippi Vital Records." Please do not send cash. Fees are not refundable. Additional fees are required for expedited service.