How to Get a Kansas Death Certificate (2026)

You get a Kansas death certificate from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) Office of Vital Statistics in Topeka. A certified copy costs $20, which includes a five-year record search. Only the person named, immediate family, a legal representative, or someone with a proven direct interest may obtain one.

How Do You Get a Death Certificate in Kansas?

You get a Kansas death certificate from the KDHE Office of Vital Statistics, the state agency that holds all Kansas death records filed since July 1, 1911. Kansas is a centralized state, so the state office handles requests rather than individual counties.

There are four main ways to request a certified copy. Each requires payment of the $20 fee and proof that you are an eligible applicant.

Online

The only way to make an internet request is through VitalChek, the credit card service that the KDHE office contracts with. An expedited service fee of $15 applies in addition to the $20 copy fee.

By Phone

You can order by credit card 24 hours a day by calling 877-305-8315. Telephone orders are processed through VitalChek and add the $15 expedited service fee.

By Mail

Mail your completed application, a photocopy of your government-issued photo ID, and a check or money order for $20 (payable to Kansas Vital Statistics) to:

Office of Vital Statistics, Curtis State Office Building, 1000 SW Jackson, Suite 120, Topeka, KS 66612-2221.

In Person

The walk-in Customer Service Lobby is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays, excluding holidays, at the address above. A mobile option through the IKAN app is also available for a smaller processing fee.

Who Is Eligible to Request a Kansas Death Certificate?

Kansas death records are not public records, so eligibility is restricted. Certified copies are released to the person named on the record, immediate family, a legal representative, or anyone who can prove a direct interest.

A direct interest means the record is necessary for the determination of personal or property rights. Examples include a named beneficiary or someone who jointly owns property with the deceased.

If you are not named on the record or an immediate family member, you must provide proof of legal representation, proof of your direct interest, or written authorization, along with proper identification. You must include a copy of a current, government-issued photo ID. If you cannot provide a photo ID, the office accepts two alternative documents, such as a Social Security number, a bank statement, a vehicle registration, a utility bill, or a pay stub.

Kansas Death Certificate Cost and Processing Time

A certified copy of a Kansas death certificate costs $20. That initial fee is a five-year record search fee, so it covers a search of the year indicated plus two years before and two years after. Each additional copy is also $20.

Processing time depends on how you order. Walk-in requests are usually filled in 15 to 20 minutes. Online and telephone orders through VitalChek take about 3 to 5 business days. Mail requests take roughly 7 to 10 business days.

For faster mail service, you may send your request using any priority mail carrier (UPS, FedEx, or Express Mail) and include your own prepaid return priority envelope. The office cannot pay for return priority shipping.

Certified vs Informational Copy in Kansas

A certified copy is the official document used for legal and administrative tasks. It carries the state seal and is what you need to settle an estate, claim life insurance, close financial accounts, or transfer property. This is the copy the $20 fee provides to eligible applicants.

Kansas also handles genealogy requests for older records. These copies are intended for family history research and are released under separate genealogy rules tied to how long ago the death occurred and your relationship to the person named. If your purpose is settling affairs after a death, request a standard certified copy through the regular process rather than a genealogy request.

How to Get Additional or Replacement Copies

To get additional or replacement copies of a Kansas death certificate, submit a new request to the Office of Vital Statistics and pay $20 for each copy. There is no separate discounted rate for additional copies ordered at the same time; each certified copy is $20.

If you order several copies in one request, the single five-year search applies, but the per-copy fee still attaches to each certified document. You will need to provide your identification and eligibility documentation again for any later request, just as you did the first time.

Disclaimer: This page provides general information, not legal advice. Fees, processing times, and eligibility rules change. Always verify the current details directly with the KDHE Office of Vital Statistics before submitting a request.

Sources

This page draws on the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) Office of Vital Statistics, which sets the fees, eligibility rules, and ordering methods for Kansas death certificates.

Related: Kansas Death Records and Death Records by State.