How to Obtain the Death Certificate of Your Grandmother Who Passed Away 19 Years Ago

When a family member passes away, obtaining their death certificate becomes a critical task. This article provides detailed instructions on how to locate and obtain a deceased family member's death certificate, especially if it was not initially registered.

Step-by-Step Guide

Here are the steps to ensure you can secure the death certificate of your grandmother, who passed away 19 years ago:

Contact Local Government Offices

If you live in a rural area, begin by approaching your nearest Panchayat office. In urban settings, contact the Municipal Corporation or Board of Directors (BoD) offices. These offices can guide you through the process and assist you from their end.

Visit the State Department of Health Website

Each state’s Department of Health maintains an Office of Vital Records, which holds records of all deaths. Begin by visiting the relevant department of health website. Here, you can find information on where to apply and how to obtain the death certificate.

Apply to the Department of Vital Statistics (DVS)

Contact the DVS office for copies of the death certificate. Explain your situation and the reason for requesting the certificate. It could be for genealogical research, legal documentation, or some other purpose.

Explore Online Resources

Every state likely has a website for city hall, records, and other relevant offices. Start your search with these websites by typing in 'copy of death certificates' in the search area. The cost for each certificate is typically less than $20.

Reach Out to Authorities and Cemeteries

To increase your chances of finding the death certificate, consider the following:

Contacting the Cemetery: Sometimes cemeteries maintain records. Check if the cemetery where your grandmother was buried has any of these records. Funeral Home: Contact the funeral home that was involved in the burial. They often have a copy of the death certificate. Online Resources: Utilize websites such as People, which may have photographs of headstones and online memorials for the deceased. Additionally, explore BillionsGraves, which offers scanned headstone photos. The Social Security Death Index (SSDI) and indexes of newspapers and obituaries can also provide information.

Prepare for the Process

Before starting, gather as much information as possible about your grandmother:

Legal name Birth and death dates Place of residence

Locate the vital statistics office where the death certificate should be stored. Check online for their contact information and rules, and be prepared to provide the necessary information and pay the applicable fees.

Additional Tips

Be prepared for some surprises:

Dates may be incorrect Names may differ from what you've used Cause of death may be different from what you thought

It's a relatively straightforward task, but thorough preparation is key. By following these steps, you can successfully obtain the death certificate of your grandmother, ensuring that all necessary records are in order.