How to Register Death Certificates
- 1). Verify that a medical professional has declared the person dead and has provided the state with a medical certificate stating this. An autopsy or further medical exam must be performed before the medical certificate can be completed. An autopsy may be performed if the cause of death is unknown, if there are any medical or health questions surrounding the deceased person, or if there is suspicion of foul play. A funeral director or any individual who assumes custody of the body must ensure that the medical certificate has been filled out and filed before continuing with other arrangements.
- 2). Acquire the appropriate death certificate forms for the state in which you are filing. These can be obtained from the Office of Vital Statistics. If the death occurred during air or water transport, the state in which the body arrives on land is the state in which the death certificate must be filed.
- 3). Fill in the date of death. If the date of death is unknown, a medical professional (usually a coroner or medical examiner) will give an approximate date. Obtain any other vital information from the next of kin, if necessary.
- 4). File the completed death certificate with the Office of Vital Statistics within five days after death (if the medical certificate has been completed and filed). The death registration will be considered complete once the paperwork has been filed properly.
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