How many death certificates do you actually need?
A practical guide to how many certified copies to order, who will ask for them, and what they typically cost.
5 min read
Most families underestimate how many certified death certificates they will need. Ordering eight to twelve copies up front is far easier than tracking down extras one at a time later, and the funeral home typically handles the order on your behalf (National Center for Health Statistics, 2023).
Who asks for an original
Each bank account, life insurance policy, retirement account, brokerage, pension, and government agency typically wants its own certified copy. Joint accounts often need fewer; solo accounts each need one. Common requesters include the Social Security Administration, the IRS, banks, life insurance carriers, employer HR departments, the DMV, and pension or annuity providers (Social Security Administration [SSA], 2024).
How to order
The funeral home usually orders certificates as part of their services. Tell them how many you want before they file. If you need more later, you can request them directly from the state vital records office in the state where the death occurred; processing times and fees vary by state (CDC, 2024). Costs typically range from about ten to twenty-five dollars per certified copy.
Begin a personalized checklist
NextStep can list the specific accounts in your situation that will require an original and estimate how many copies to order.