Death Certificates: How Many and Why
Every bank, insurer, pension, and government agency wants its own certified copy of the death certificate, and ordering too few means weeks of delays while the family waits for more. This page is the practical count, which organizations need an original, and what to do when the family runs out.
order at least 10 to 15 certified copies at the start
The death certificate map
Certified copies cost a little per copy and are far cheaper than the delays of running out mid-process: order at least 10 to 15 at the start, while the family-member rule still applies.
- Who needs oneBanks, insurers, pensions, Social Security, and moreBanks and credit unions holding accounts, life insurance companies for each policy, pensions and retirement plans including survivor benefits, Social Security as part of reporting the death, and brokerages, the DMV, the deed office, and the IRS as needed: each one wants a certified copy, not a photocopy.
- How to orderThe state vital records officeCertified copies come from the vital records office of the state where the parent died: most states accept online, by mail, or in person, the cost varies by state, and the funeral home often offers to order them during the first arrangements, which is the easiest path.
- Who can orderThe family-member ruleOnly certain family members (spouse, siblings, children) can get a certified copy at first, and the requirement varies by state: order the extra copies while the family-member requirement still applies, because after that the process can get harder.
- The tie-inThe first-month orderThe first-month checklist lists the notifications in order, and the life insurance claim guide covers the policy process that depends on the certified copy.
The practical rule: order at least 10 to 15 certified copies at the start. They cost a little per copy and are far cheaper than the delays of running out mid-process.
Who needs a certified copy
- Banks and credit unions holding accounts in the parent's name
- Life insurance companies for each policy; the life insurance claim guide covers the full process
- Pensions and retirement plans, including survivor benefits
- Social Security (a copy is part of reporting the death; see USA.gov's death benefits guide)
- Brokerages, the DMV, the deed office, and the IRS as needed for each step
The first-month checklist lists the notifications in order; each one that asks for a document wants a certified copy, not a photocopy.
How to order them
Certified copies come from the vital records office of the state where the parent died, per USA.gov's death certificate guide. Most states accept online, by mail, or in person; the cost per copy varies by state, and the funeral home often offers to order them during the first arrangements, which is the easiest path.
Who can order
Only certain family members (spouse, siblings, children) can get a certified copy at first, and the requirement varies by state; the USA.gov guide explains the family-member rule and when records become public. Order the extra copies while the family member requirement still applies, because after that the process can get harder.
When the family runs out
Ordering more later is possible but slower, and some states make it harder for non-immediate family. The fix is simple: order generously now and keep the spares in one folder with the documents checklist.
Related guides
Sources & verification
This page is checked against the standards in our editorial policy, preferring government sources. Reviewed August 2026:
- USA.gov: How To Get a Certified Copy of a Death Certificate (retrieved August 2026)
- USA.gov: Benefits When Someone Dies (retrieved August 2026)
- NIA: End of Life (retrieved August 2026)
Found an error? Report it: we log and correct material mistakes publicly.
Quick answers
Common questions, answered plainly. The details match the sources above.
How many death certificates should the family order?
Order at least 10 to 15 certified copies. Banks, insurers, pensions, Social Security, brokerages, and the DMV each want their own original, and running out mid-process causes delays.
Who is allowed to order a certified copy?
It varies by state, but usually a spouse, siblings, and children at first; records become public much later (often 25 years or more). Order the copies while the family-member rule still applies.
Found an error? Report it.