How to Get an Arizona Death Certificate (2026 Guide)

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.

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.