When a person dies, a death certificate is issued that contains certain details about their life and death. The nurse, physician or medical examiner who pronounces the death initiates the death certificate. The original death certificate is then signed by either the medical examiner or attending physician stating what was ailing the person prior to their passing. Once the death certificate has been signed, it is the responsibility of the Cremation Society to gather the deceased’s vital statistics, complete the death certificate and file it with the Bureau of Vital Records in Concord.
Because the death certificate is a legal document, the Cremation Society requires each family to review the death certificate draft to ensure all the information is accurate. Any errors realized after the death certificate has been filed may result in the delayed availability of certified copies and/or additional filing fees.
Ordering Death Certificates
New Hampshire
The most efficient way to obtain a certified copy of death in the State of NH is to visit your nearest city or town clerk’s office. It is not necessary to go to the city or town clerk’s office where the death occurred. Because the Bureau of Vital Records has an electronic filing system, any clerk’s office is able to print and certify a death certificate as long as the death occurred in the State of NH. The fee for the first copy is $15, $10 for any additional copies ordered at the same time. You are also able to request the document by mail. Please visit the State of NH website for further instructions to order by mail, click here. You must pay for your death certificate when you request it, either in person or when ordering it by mail. The Cremation Society is happy to obtain death certificates on your behalf for a $95 acquisition fee plus the cost of the death certificates. Please note, it typically takes five to seven business days for the official death certificate to be filed and available for purchase.
Vermont
For a passing in the State of Vermont, certified copies of death can only be issued by the town or city clerk in the town or city where the death occurred. The fee per copy is $10 statewide. Please contact the appropriate clerk’s office to determine if you are able to order certified copies by mail. You must pay for your death certificate when you request it, either in person or when ordering it by mail. The Cremation Society is happy to obtain death certificates on your behalf for a $95 acquisition fee plus the cost of the death certificates. Please note, it typically takes five to seven business days for the official death certificate to be filed and available for purchase.
Maine
For a passing in the State of Maine, certified copies of death can only be issued in person by the town or city clerk in the town or city where the death occurred. The fee for the first copy is $15, $6 for any additional copies ordered at the same time. You are also able to request the document by mail through the State of Maine. Please visit the State of Maine website for further instructions to order by mail, click here. You must pay for your death certificate when you request it, either in person or when ordering it by mail. It typically takes five to seven business days for the official death certificate to be filed and available for purchase.
Massachusetts
For a passing in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, certified copies of death can only be issued by the town or city clerk in the town or city where the death occurred. The fee per copy is determined by the town or city. On average, the costs range from $5 to $15 per copy. Please contact the appropriate clerk’s office to determine if you are able to order certified copies by mail. It typically takes two to three weeks for the official death certificate to be filed and available for purchase.
Certified copies of the death certificate are necessary to properly close accounts, claim benefits, or to settle estate claims. For the death certificate to be deemed a legal document, it must have the raised seal from the issuing clerk’s office. This means that, for most purposes, a photocopy of the original is not sufficient documentation. To assist you in ascertaining the number of certified copies needed, we have provided a worksheet below listing some areas requiring this document. You may also download the worksheet here.
Online
Vital Records Online offers copies of certified death certificates online that will be mailed to you. To do so, you’ll need to fill out a form including information about the deceased such as year of death and location of death (city and county), and your relationship to the deceased
