Colorado - How to obtain a Death Certificate

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Procedure

Order by fax

Send your request, including all supporting documents and payment, by fax to: 1-800-423-1108

Order in person

1. Complete a death certificate request.
2. Submit a copy of your identification.
3. Submit proof of your eligibility.
4. Pay the non-refundable application fees.
5. Submit your application to CDPHE.

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

Vital Records Section

4300 Cherry Creek Drive South

Denver, CO 80246

Map

Office Hours: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, except holidays

Ordering by mail

Send mail request to:

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

Vital Records Section

4300 Cherry Creek Drive South

Denver, CO 80246

Ordering Online - VitalCheck

Go online and simply follow the steps to place an order. An additional fee is charged by VitalChek for using this service and all major credit cards are accepted.

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Required Documents

The Office of the State Registrar of Vital Statistics requires the following documentation:
One item from the Primary List (No expired documents accepted)

• Alien Registration Receipt/Permanent Resident Card
• Certificate of U.S. Citizenship
• Colorado Department of Corrections ID card
• CO Temporary Drivers License Form (with hole-punched Drivers License)
• Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
• Foreign Passport
• Photo Drivers License
• Photo ID Card (DMV)
• School, University or College ID Card (must be current)
• Temporary Resident Card
• U.S. B1/B2 Visa card with I-94
• U.S. Certificate of Naturalization
• U.S. Citizenship ID Card (I-197)
• U.S. Military ID Card
• U.S. Passport
  

OR
Two items from the Secondary List

(Any document expired more than six months will not be accepted)

• Acknowledgment of Paternity document
• Birth Certificate of Applicant (U.S. only)
• Court order of adoption or name change
• Craft or trade license (Colorado only)
• DD-214
• Divorce Decree (U.S. only)
• Hospital birth worksheet (for infants under 6 months)
• Hunting or Fishing License (must be current - Colorado only)
• IRS-TIN card
• Marriage license (U.S. only)
• Medicare Card
• Merchant mariner card
• Mexican voter registration card
• Motor vehicle registration or title (U.S. only)
• Pilot license
• Selective Service Card (U.S. only)
• Social Security Card
• Social Services Card (Medicaid, WIC)
• State or federal prison or corrections card
• Tribal ID Card
• Weapon or gun permit (U.S. only)
• Work ID, Paycheck Stub (within 3 months), or W-2
• Any Expired document from the Primary List (cannot be expired more than 6 months)
  

The following documents are not accepted:

• Matricula Consular Card
• Novelty ID Card
• Non-expiring Identification Cards
• City or County Prison/Jail ID
• Souvenir birth certificates
• Temporary driver's license or temporary state ID card

If you cannot provide acceptable identification, it is suggested that you ask a spouse, parent, grandparent, sibling, or adult child, who can provide appropriate identification, to request the certificate. Proof of relationship is required, such as a birth certificate or marriage certificate.

For more information regarding the required identification/Eligibility document follow the link https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/vital-records-identification-and-eligibility-documentation-and-requirements

Office Locations & Contacts

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

Vital Records Section

4300 Cherry Creek Drive South

HSVRD-VR-A1

Denver, CO 80246-1530

Phone: 303 692 2200

Fax

1-800-423-1108 within the continental United States

1-303-691-9307 if residing outside of the continental United States.

E-mail

[email protected]

Office Hours

8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.,

Monday--Friday

Certificates may also be obtained from your local county. Use the contact information below to inquire.

Adams County : 450 S 4th Avenue Brighton, CO 80901-3196
Phone: 303-654-6020

Alamosa County : 402 Edison Ave; PO Box 178 Alamosa, CO 81101-2560
Phone: 719-589-6681

Arapahoe County : 5334 S Prince Street Littleton, CO 80166-0001
Phone: 303-795-4200

Archuleta County : PO Box 1507 Pagosa Springs, CO 81147-1507
Phone: 970-264-5633

Baca County : 741 Main Street Springfield, CO 81073-1548
Phone: 719-523-4372

Bent County : PO Box 350 Las Animas, CO 81054-0350
Phone: 719-456-1353

Boulder County : 2020 13th st PO Box 471 Boulder, CO 80302
Phone: 303-441-7770

Broomfield County : 1 Des Combes Drive Broomfield, CO 80020
Phone: 303-438-6390

Chaffee County : 132 Crestone Ave PO Box 699 Salida, CO 81201-1566
Phone: 719-539-6913

Cheyenne County : 615 N 5 W PO Box 567 Cheyenne Wells, Co 80810
Phone: 719-767-568

Eligibility

• Current spouse: Must be listed on death certificate.
• Ex-spouse: Must present proof of direct & tangible interest (i.e. Social Security record, insurance policy).
• Parent: Must be listed on death certificate.
• Stepparent: Marriage certificate proving relationship to a parent that is listed on death certificate.
• Grandparents/Great grandparents: Birth certificate(s) proving relationship required (cannot accept baptismals, hospital records or school records, unless the customer presents a letter from the state of birth stating no record of birth was found).
• Siblings/Half siblings: Birth certificate showing at least one same parent required (cannot accept baptismals, hospital records or school records, unless the customer presents a letter from the state of birth stating no record of birth was found).
• Children/Grandchildren/Great grandchildren: Birth certificate(s) showing relationship is required (cannot accept baptismals, hospital records or school records, unless the customer presents a letter from the state of birth stating no record of birth was found).
• Step-Children: Marriage certificate & birth certificate proving relationship required.
• Legal representative/Paralegals: Proof of client relationship required as well as proof of the clients relationship to the registrant.
• Opposing counsel: Certificate will be mailed to court w/ motion to seal confidential record. Name, address and case number of the court required.
• Genealogists: Notarized signed release from immediate family member required as well as proof of the family members relationship. Certificate marked For Genealogical Use Only.
• In-laws/aunts/uncles/nephews/nieces/ cousins: For death certificate 25 years or younger- Must present proof of direct & tangible interest (i.e. insurance policy, personal will, etc.).
• For death certificates over 25 years: Must present proof of relationship (a family tree would be acceptable for this case) Death certificate marked For Genealogical Use Only.
• Probate Researchers: Proof of direct & tangible interest required.
• Creditors: Proof of direct & tangible interest required.
• Employer: Proof of direct & tangible interest required.
• Beneficiaries: Proof of direct & tangible interest required (i.e. letter on insurance company/pension company letterhead that clearly states the applicant is a beneficiary or is eligible to file a claim).
• Insurance companies: Proof of direct & tangible interest required (Insurance policy).
• Hospital/Nursing home/Hospice/Physician: Proof of patient relationship required.
• Funeral Directors: Must be listed on death certificate.
• Informant: Must be listed on 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: Proof of direct & tangible interest required.

NOTE: Death certificates in Colorado become public record after 75 years, therefore, no proof of relationship or legal interest is required for these certificates.

Fees

Office of Vital Records Fee Schedule

Validity

Explain the time until which the certificate/document is valid.
e.g. Birth Certificate Valid Forever

Documents to Use

• Colorado Death Certificate Request
• Colorado Death Certificate Request - In Spanish

Sample Documents

Please attach sample completed documents which would help other people who would like to follow this procedure.    

Processing Time

• By Fax: 5 business days
• In Person: Same day
• By Mail: 2-3 weeks
• VitalChek: 2-4 business days

Instructions

You may order death certificates in person (CDPHE/county vital records offices), online (through VitalCheck), by post, or by phone.

Required Information

• Name of the person requesting the certificate
• Mailing Address
• Daytime/alternative Phone
• Physical Address
• Relationship to deceased
• Reason for Request
• Full Name of deceased
• Date of death
• Place of death (Colorado ONLY)
• Date of birth or age at death (optional)
• State of birth (optional)

Need for the Document

A Death Certificate is a document issued by a registrar of vital statistics that declares the date, location and cause of a person's death.

A copy of the death certificate is often necessary when you apply for administrative procedures, such as execution of the will or making funeral arrangements.

Following are procedures on how you can obtain a certified copy of a death certificate in Colorado.