How much do death certificates cost in Tennessee?
A certified copy costs $15 from the Tennessee Office of Vital Records or from most county health departments. The $15 fee applies per copy.
Online orders through VitalChek include additional service and shipping fees.
How to order
Through a funeral home (fastest)
Your funeral director handles the initial order. This is the simplest route. Tell them how many copies you need when making arrangements.
From a county health department
Most Tennessee county health departments issue certified death certificates. This is often the fastest option for in-person requests.
- In person. Visit the health department with a valid photo ID. Some offices offer same-day service.
- Call ahead to confirm availability and fees.
From the state Office of Vital Records
The state office maintains death records and issues certified copies.
- In person. Visit the Office of Vital Records at 710 James Robertson Parkway, 1st Floor, Andrew Johnson Tower, Nashville, TN 37243.
- By mail. Send a completed application, a photocopy of a valid government-issued photo ID, and a check or money order for $15 per copy payable to "Tennessee Vital Records."
- Online. Order through VitalChek, the authorized online vendor. Additional processing and shipping fees apply.
Expedited processing at the state level is available for an additional $5 fee.
Processing times
| Method | Typical timeline |
|---|---|
| Funeral home | 2 to 4 weeks |
| County health department (in person) | Same day to a few days |
| State office (in person) | Same day |
| By mail | 4 to 6 weeks |
| VitalChek (online) | 5 to 10 business days |
Who can order?
Tennessee restricts certified copies to individuals with a qualifying relationship or documented need:
- Surviving spouse
- Parent or grandparent
- Adult child, grandchild, or sibling
- Legal guardian
- Executor or administrator of the estate
- Attorney representing the estate or a beneficiary
- Anyone with a demonstrated legitimate need to protect personal or property rights
You must provide a valid government-issued photo ID and state your relationship to the deceased and the purpose of the request.
What to know about Tennessee specifically
County health departments are widespread. Nearly every Tennessee county has a health department that can issue death certificates. For in-person requests, this is usually more convenient than traveling to Nashville.
Flat fee per copy. Tennessee charges a flat $15 per copy with no discount for ordering multiples at the same time. Ordering 10 copies costs $150 regardless of whether you order them together or separately.
The $5 expedited fee. When ordering from the state office by mail, paying an additional $5 per order (not per copy) can speed up processing. This does not apply to VitalChek orders, which have their own expedited options.
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 Tennessee.
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