Skip to content
DeathUS
Someone just died
Menu
Someone just diedWhat to do first, in orderOpen the checklist

Sudden death: call 911. On hospice, call the nurse instead.

Call 911

Thinking about ending your life? Call or text 988, day or night.

Death certificates

Death certificates in Virginia

In Virginia, a certified copy of a death certificate costs $15 from the Virginia Department of Health, Office of Vital Records. Each copy costs the same. You can order online, by mail or in person. The funeral home can often order the first copies for you.

Last checked on the Virginia Department of Health, Office of Vital Records site. General information, not legal advice. Fees change, so confirm before you pay.

How to order in Virginia

Ordering a certified copy of a death certificate in Virginia
OfficeVirginia Department of Health, Office of Vital Records
First certified copy$15
Each extra copy, same order$15

Expedited delivery through VitalChek costs extra.

Who can orderImmediate family only: mother, father, spouse, child, brother, sister or grandparent. A legal representative with a power of attorney may also qualify. Others with a direct interest can get a verification of death. Death records become public after 25 years.
ID you needEvery requester must provide a legible copy of their identification.
Ways to orderOnline, by mail or in person.

Order online from the state

At the state office in Richmond, at DMV locations, or at local health departments.

How long it takesOnline applications take about 5 business days and paper applications about 8 business days, plus mail time.

Do funeral homes order the first copies?

Often, yes. The funeral director files the death certificate with the state, so ordering copies at the same time is common. The FTC lists death certificates among the cash advance items a funeral home may buy for you and add to its bill. Ask what it charges per copy.

A funeral director may be able to get a certificate as a legal representative with a properly executed power of attorney.

For more copies later, order from the office above. How many copies do you need? Our calculator counts one for each bank, insurer and agency.

Questions people ask

How much is a death certificate in Virginia?
$15 for the first certified copy from the Virginia Department of Health, Office of Vital Records, and $15 for each extra copy ordered at the same time. Expedited delivery through VitalChek costs extra.
Who can order a death certificate in Virginia?
Immediate family only: mother, father, spouse, child, brother, sister or grandparent. A legal representative with a power of attorney may also qualify. Others with a direct interest can get a verification of death. Death records become public after 25 years.
How do I order a death certificate in Virginia?
You can order online, by mail or in person. The state runs its own online ordering. Every requester must provide a legible copy of their identification.

Sources

  1. Virginia Department of Health, Office of Vital Records: www.vdh.virginia.gov/vital-records/
  2. Virginia Department of Health, Office of Vital Records: www.vdh.virginia.gov/vital-records/frequently-asked-questions/
  3. Virginia Department of Health, Office of Vital Records: www.vdh.virginia.gov/vital-records/applications-for-a-vital-record/
  4. Virginia Department of Health, Office of Vital Records: www.vdh.virginia.gov/vital-records/vital-record-walk-in-locations/
  5. CDC/NCHS: Funeral Directors' Handbook on Death Registration and Fetal Death Reporting, 2019
  6. FTC: Complying with the Funeral Rule (cash advance items)