Arizona
How to Get an Arizona Death Certificate (2026 Guide)
Independently fact-checked against primary sources (last audited June 14, 2026). · 4 primary sources cited on this page. How we verify our legal content
You get an Arizona death certificate from the Arizona Department of Health Services Bureau of Vital Records or a local county vital records office. A certified copy costs $20, and each additional copy is also $20. Eligible requesters include the spouse, parents, grandparents, adult children, and other qualifying relatives who can prove their relationship.
How Do You Get a Death Certificate in Arizona?
You get an Arizona death certificate from the Arizona Department of Health Services (AZDHS) Bureau of Vital Records or from a participating county vital records office. The state agency maintains death records, and several county health departments also process requests in person.
There are three main ways to request a copy. Each uses the same Bureau of Vital Records application, form VS-159.
By mail. Send your completed application, fee, proof of relationship, and a copy of your signed photo ID to the State Bureau of Vital Records, PO Box 6018, Phoenix, AZ 85005. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for the return.
In person. Visit your nearest participating county vital records office for same-day walk-in service. Offices are located in counties including Maricopa, Pima, Cochise, Graham, and Apache, among others.
Online. Apply through VitalChek, the state-authorized online vendor, at www.VitalChek.com. VitalChek charges its own service fees in addition to the state record fee.
Who Is Eligible to Request an Arizona Death Certificate?
Eligible requesters are people with a qualifying relationship to the deceased who can document that relationship. Arizona limits certified death certificates to a defined group rather than the general public.
The application form asks you to identify your relationship to the person on the certificate. Listed categories include parent, grandparent, spouse, relative, government agency, and other. Other qualifying relatives commonly include adult children, grandchildren, and siblings.
Proof of relationship is mandatory. Acceptable documentation includes birth certificates, marriage certificates, or certified court documents that establish the link between you and the deceased.
You must also provide identification. A clear photocopy of the front and back of your valid, signed government photo ID is required, or you may have your signature notarized if no photo ID is available.
Arizona Death Certificate Cost and Processing Time
A certified copy of an Arizona death certificate costs $20. The same $20 fee applies to the first copy and to each additional copy you order at the same time.
A correction or amendment to a death record costs $30. Do not mail cash; pay by money order, cashier's check, personal check, or credit or debit card depending on the office.
Processing time depends on the method. Walk-in requests at a county office are generally handled the same day, while mailed applications take longer because of delivery and review time. Online orders through VitalChek follow that vendor's posted timelines.
For the most current fees, office hours, and turnaround details, confirm directly with the Bureau of Vital Records before you submit.
Certified vs Informational Copy in Arizona
A certified copy is the official, legally recognized document used to settle an estate, claim benefits, close accounts, or transfer property. An informational, or non-certified, copy contains the same record details but is not valid for legal or government transactions.
The Arizona application lets you request both types. The form has separate lines for the number of certified copies and the number of non-certified copies requested.
If you only need the death record for personal or family reference, a non-certified copy may be enough. For Social Security, veterans benefits, insurance, or probate, you will almost always need certified copies.
Older death records may also be available as genealogy or public records through the AZDHS genealogy search once they reach the required age threshold.
How to Get Additional or Replacement Copies
To get additional or replacement copies, submit another Bureau of Vital Records application and pay $20 for each certified copy you need. There is no discount for ordering several at once; every certified copy is the same flat fee.
If you anticipate needing multiple copies for estate administration, banks, insurers, and government agencies, order them together to save a second round of mailing and review. Each requester must still meet the eligibility and proof-of-relationship rules.
Lost or damaged certificates are replaced the same way. Complete a new application, include your ID and proof of relationship, and pay the per-copy fee.
| Item | Arizona |
|---|---|
| Issuing office | AZDHS Bureau of Vital Records / county vital records offices |
| First certified copy | $20 |
| Each additional copy | $20 |
| Processing time | Same-day walk-in; longer by mail or online |
| Eligibility | Spouse, parent, grandparent, adult child, qualifying relatives with proof |
Disclaimer: This page provides general information about obtaining Arizona death certificates and is not legal advice. Fees, eligibility rules, and processing times change. Always verify the current requirements with the Arizona Bureau of Vital Records before submitting a request.
Sources
This guide is based on the Arizona Department of Health Services Bureau of Vital Records, including the official Request for Copy of Death Certificate application (form VS-159) and the state vital records office.
Related: Arizona Death Records and Death Records by State.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is an Arizona death certificate?
A certified copy of an Arizona death certificate costs $20. The same $20 fee applies to the first copy and each additional copy ordered. A correction or amendment costs $30.
How long does it take to get an Arizona death certificate?
Walk-in requests at a participating county vital records office are generally processed the same day. Mailed applications take longer due to delivery and review time, and online orders through VitalChek follow that vendor's timelines.
Who can get an Arizona death certificate?
Eligible requesters include the spouse, parent, grandparent, adult child, and other qualifying relatives who can prove their relationship to the deceased. Government agencies may also request records. Proof of relationship and a government photo ID are required.
Can I get an Arizona death certificate online?
Yes. You can order online through VitalChek, the state-authorized vendor, at www.VitalChek.com. VitalChek charges its own service fees in addition to the $20 state record fee.
What is the difference between a certified and informational copy?
A certified copy is the official document accepted for legal and government purposes such as probate, insurance, and benefits claims. An informational or non-certified copy shows the same details but cannot be used for those official transactions.
How do I get extra copies of an Arizona death certificate?
Submit another Bureau of Vital Records application and pay $20 for each certified copy. There is no bulk discount, so it is often easiest to order all the copies you need at the same time.
Updates
Independently fact-checked against the cited primary sources
The Law Behind This Article
This article rests on the statutory provisions below, held in our own legal record and retrieved from the official source. Tap a section to read the operative text.
Arizona Revised Statutes, Title 36 (Public Health and Safety), Chapter 3 (VITAL RECORDS AND PUBLIC HEALTH STATISTICS), Article 3 (Death Registration and Birth Registration Certificate Requirements)
§ 36-324Vital records; copies; accessIn forcecited in 4 of our articles
A. On written request, a local registrar, a deputy local registrar or the state registrar shall issue a certified copy of a registered certificate, except the portion of the certificate that contains medical information, to any person determined to be eligible to receive the certified copy pursuant to criteria prescribed by rules. A local registrar, a deputy local registrar or the state registrar shall issue certified copies of a registered certificate to a licensed funeral director or the funeral director's designee on the funeral director's or designee's written or in-person request. The local registrar, deputy local registrar or state registrar shall provide the certified copies by mail or in person to the funeral director or the funeral director's designee on request. B. A certified copy of a registered certificate has the same status as the registered certificate. C. The United States public health service may receive copies, microfilm and other information from the state registrar to prepare national vital statistics subject to the following limitations: 1.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-09-04 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at azleg.gov
Cited in 2 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2021
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Schoeneweis v. Hamner (Court of Appeals of Arizona 2009, 223 Ariz. 169)“…addressed the public’s right to inspect death certificates. A.R.S. § 36-324(A) (2009) provides: On written r…”
- Ball v. Adhs (Court of Appeals of Arizona 2021)“…tal statistics law makes exceptions for certain people, see A.R.S. § 36-324(A), journalists do not fall under those…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Arizona Birth Certificate: How to Order, Fees and Who Can Get One, Arizona Death Records: Are They Public + How to Get One, How to Find a Cause of Death in Arizona (2026 Guide)
Sources and References
- AZDHS Bureau of Vital Records(azdhs.gov).gov
- Request for Copy of Death Certificate (Form VS-159)(azdhs.gov).gov
- AZDHS Vital Records(azdhs.gov).gov
- Arizona Genealogy Record Search(azdhs.gov).gov