Arizona is a “closed record” state. That means that vital records are not public record. Arizona law restricts the public’s access to vital records as follows to protect the confidentiality rights of our citizens. Arizona Administrative Code R9-19-405 specifies that only the following may receive a certified copy of a death certificate:
* Only persons 18 years of age or older may obtain a certified copy of a death certificate.
- Spouse or Immediate Family Member — You must provide proof of relationship:
- Birth certificates that link the applicant to the deceased or
- Marriage certificate that links the surviving spouse to the deceased
Note: Listed as the informant on the death certificate is not sufficient proof of relationship.
- Attorney Representing Family Members — You must provide:
- A letter of request on your official letterhead stating your professional relationship to the family member, signed by you, the attorney and containing your bar number.
- Documentation, such as a signed retainer stating that you have been retained by the family member.
- Documentation of the family member’s relationship to the deceased.
- Attorney Representing the Estate — You must provide:
- A letter of request on your official letterhead stating your professional relationship signed by you, the attorney and containing your bar number.
- Attorney Representing Persons with a Legal Interest — You must provide:
- A letter of request on your official letterhead stating your professional relationship to the person with legal interest, signed by you, the attorney and containing your bar number.
- Documentation, such as a signed retainer stating that you have been retained by the person with legal interest.
- Documentation of the person’s legal interest, such as:
- Wills that link the deceased to the person with legal interest.
- Insurance policy
- Court order of guardianship
- Title to personal or real property listing the deceased and applicant as co-owners
- A document that establishes a legal interest in the record
- Non-Attorney Legal Interest — You must provide:
- Documentation to establish a relationship between yourself and the deceased and legal interest in the certificate such as documentation of personal or real property listing you and the deceased as co-owners.
For fee information, refer to the fee schedule.