Quick answer
You cannot legally print a certified death certificate yourself — only state or county vital records offices issue them, on sealed security paper. A home-printed page has no legal weight and banks will reject it. To get valid copies, order certified copies from vital records or an authorized service like VitalChek.
If you have searched for how to "print your own death certificate," you are almost certainly trying to settle a loved one's affairs and need proof of death for a bank, insurer, or government agency. The honest answer is important, so let's start there: you cannot legally print a certified death certificate yourself. Here is what you can and cannot do — and exactly how to get documents that institutions will actually accept.
The Short Answer
An official death certificate is a controlled legal record. Certified copies are printed only by the vital records office in the state or county where the death occurred, on secure paper with an official seal. A version you print at home — even a perfect scan — is not certified and carries no legal weight.
Some states will issue an informational copy that you can receive or print, but it is stamped "informational, not a valid document to establish identity" and is rejected by most banks, insurers, and courts. It is fine for your own records and little else.
Certified vs. Informational: Why the Difference Matters
Certified copy. Bears a raised, embossed, or multicolor seal and often security features like watermarks. This is the document that banks, the Social Security Administration, life insurers, brokerages, the DMV, and probate courts require before they will release funds, pay a claim, or transfer title.
Informational copy. Contains the same facts but is explicitly not valid for legal or identity purposes. A few states make these easier to obtain, and they may be printable — but do not count on any institution accepting one.
If an organization is holding money or an asset, assume it will demand a certified copy.
Why You Can't Just Print One
Death certificates are guarded against fraud for good reason: they can be used to claim life insurance, drain accounts, and commit identity theft. To protect against that, states:
- Restrict who may order certified copies (usually next of kin, the executor, or someone with a documented legal interest)
- Require proof of identity and often proof of relationship
- Print certificates only on tamper-evident, seal-bearing stock
Creating or altering a death certificate — or passing off a home-printed copy as official — is a serious crime. This guide is about getting real copies quickly, which is almost always faster than people expect.
How to Get Certified Copies (Step by Step)
1. Let the funeral home order the first batch
Funeral homes and cremation providers routinely order certified copies as part of their service. Tell them how many you need — this is the easiest path for the initial set.
2. Or order directly from vital records
If you need more, or are handling things yourself, order from the vital records office in the state or county where the death occurred (not where the person lived, if different). Most offer mail, in-person, and online options.
3. Prove who you are
Be ready to provide a government-issued photo ID and, in many states, documentation of your relationship to the deceased or your appointment as executor.
4. Order enough copies at once
Request 8 to 12. Each institution wants its own original, and buying extras up front is cheaper than repeat orders.
5. Consider expedited online ordering
Authorized services such as VitalChek (used by many states) let you order online and expedite shipping. You will print an application — never the certificate itself.
How Many Copies Do You Actually Need?
Plan on a certified copy for each of these, at minimum:
- Each bank and credit union
- Each life insurance policy
- Brokerage and retirement accounts
- The Social Security Administration
- Pension or annuity providers
- The DMV, for vehicle titles
- The probate court, if probate is required
Most families land between 8 and 12. When in doubt, order a couple extra.
Cost and Timeline
Certified copies generally run about $5 to $25 each, with additional copies at the same time often discounted. Standard turnaround is a few days to a few weeks depending on the state and method; online expedited orders are the fastest.
A Word on Fraud
If a website offers to "generate" or "print" an official death certificate instantly for a fee, treat it as a scam. Legitimate certified copies come only from government vital records offices or their authorized partners.
How EstateWrap Helps
Knowing how many death certificates to order — and who needs one — is one of the first tripwires families hit. EstateWrap maps every institution that will require a certified copy for your specific situation, tracks which ones you have sent, and gives you ready-to-send letters to accompany them. Start free, and unlock every premium template with a single $62 payment — one-time, lifetime access, no subscription.