How much do death certificates cost in Arizona?
A certified copy costs $20 from the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) Office of Vital Records or county health departments.
The $20 fee applies to each copy ordered, whether it is the first or a subsequent copy.
Online orders through VitalChek include additional processing and expedited service fees that can increase the total significantly.
How to order
Through a funeral home (fastest)
Your funeral director handles the initial order. Tell them how many copies you need when making arrangements. This is the simplest route.
From a county health department (in person)
Many Arizona county public health offices issue death certificates in person. Maricopa County (Phoenix) and Pima County (Tucson) both offer this service. Policies, turnaround times, and fees can vary by county, so call ahead.
County offices are generally the fastest option for certified copies after the funeral home.
Online
Order through VitalChek, the ADHS-authorized online vendor. You will need a credit or debit card, a valid photo ID, and documentation proving your relationship to the deceased. Additional processing and shipping fees apply.
By mail
Send a completed application, a copy of the front and back of your government-issued photo ID, proof of eligibility, and payment to the ADHS Office of Vital Records.
Payment can be made by cashier's check, money order, Visa, or Mastercard. ADHS does not accept personal checks or cash.
Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope.
Processing times
| Method | Typical timeline |
|---|---|
| Funeral home | 2 to 4 weeks |
| County health department (in person) | Same day to a few days |
| VitalChek (online) | 5 to 10 business days |
| By mail (ADHS) | 4 to 6 weeks |
Who can order?
Arizona restricts certified copies to individuals over 18 years of age with a direct relationship to the deceased:
- Spouse
- Parent or grandparent
- Adult child or grandchild
- Sibling
- Funeral director acting on behalf of the family
- Person with Power of Attorney (documented)
- Beneficiary of a life insurance policy (with documentation)
- The personal representative or executor of the estate
You must provide documentation proving your identity and your relationship to the deceased.
What to know about Arizona specifically
No walk-in service at the state office. The ADHS Office of Vital Records no longer offers walk-in service. For in-person requests, go to your county health department instead. Maricopa County and Pima County both have dedicated offices that handle death certificate orders.
Consistent pricing. At $20 per copy with no discount for additional copies, Arizona's pricing is straightforward. Order all the copies you need at once to save on shipping if ordering by mail.
The small estate affidavit connection. Arizona recently increased its small estate affidavit thresholds to $200,000 for personal property and $300,000 for real property equity. Even if you are using a small estate affidavit instead of formal probate, you will still need certified death certificates to present alongside the affidavit to banks and other institutions.
For a broader overview of the death certificate process, see our guide on how to get death certificates. If you are handling probate, see our guide on how probate works in Arizona.
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