Death Certificates

A Certified Death Certificate is necessary before many things regarding the estate can be taken care of.  The funeral home will complete the vital statistics portion of the death certificate with the information you provide, and it will then be submitted to the attending physician.  Upon the physician's completion of his / her portion, the certificate is submitted to the Office of Vital Statistics.  Once the certificate is processed by OVS, copies can be procured at $6 each.  It is a good idea to obtain multiple copies of a death certificate as most agencies require a certified certificate and not a photocopy.  Death Certificates will be used for the following:

• Bank Accounts                                                 
• Safety Deposit Boxes
• Real Estate
• Motor Vehicles, Boats, etc.
• IRAs
• Tax Returns
• Stocks and Bonds
• Insurance: Life, Burial, Funeral
• Social Security Benefits
• Union or Veterans Benefits
• Certificates of Deposit (CDs)
• Money Market Accounts
• Treasury Bills (T-Bills)