Death Certificates

The Vital Records Division has death certificates dating back to August 1874. Death records become public 50 years after the date of death.  Death certificates are only available to mother, father, sister, brother, spouses named on the death certificate, children, informants and legal representatives (proof of relationship is required). All others requesting certified copies of death certificates, must demonstrate direct and tangible interest. Please review the Approval Guidelines to ensure that you are entitled to your request.

Vital Records only issues long form certified copies of death certificates.

Please contact:

Department of Health
Vital Records Division
899 North Capitol Street, NE, First Floor
Washington, DC 20002
(202) 671-5000

Walk-in Requests

Death Certificate Application [PDF]

Death Certificate Services

Mail-Order Requests

• Download and fill out the official Death Certificate Application Form (Death Certificate Application Form.pdf)
• Send the application to 899 North Capitol Street, NE, 1st Floor, Washington, DC 20002.
• Include a check* or money order $18, made payable to the DC Treasurer.
• Please do not send cash.
• All Mail-In Requests must include an envelope.
• All requests must include a photocopy of the requester’s non-expired state/government issued picture ID.

*The DC Treasurer requires that all checks have an address imprinted on them to be accepted for deposit, DC treasurer does not accept “starter checks.”  

Online and Telephone-Order Requests

For your convenience, you can order requests online or over the telephone through VitalChek Network, Inc., an independent company that we have partnered with to provide you this service. VitalChek can be reached through its website, www.vitalchek.com or by phone at (877) 572-6332.   An additional fee is charged by VitalChek for using this service, all major credit cards are accepted.

Corrections/ Amendments

There are several provisions in the District of Columbia statues whereby corrections, amendments and/ or changes may be made to death certificates. Vital Records encourages you to mail your correction request or call Vital Record’s Customer Service line at (202) 442-9303.  Vital records will gladly explain and forward all the necessary information to you on how to make corrections and amendments. For genealogy requests, Vital Records Division may need to contact the Federal or DC Record Center which will cause a delay in processing time for the record.