Death certificate
The official government document recording the death. Required for almost everything that comes after — bank accounts, insurance, Social Security, probate, transferring property.
A death certificate has two parts: a medical section (cause and manner of death, signed by a physician, hospice nurse, or medical examiner) and a personal section (filled out by the funeral home or the family). The completed certificate is filed with the county vital records office, which then issues certified copies.
Most families need 10–15 certified copies. Banks, brokerage firms, pension administrators, life insurance companies, the Social Security Administration, the IRS, and the county recorder's office (for any real estate transfer) each want an original. Photocopies are not accepted.
Certified copies cost $5–$30 each depending on state. Order extras at the time of filing — going back later costs the same per copy plus a return trip to the county office.
- Next of kin— The person legally authorized to make decisions about the body, burial, and arrangements. Order is set by state law, not by who was emotionally closest.
- Burial-transit permit— The county-issued permit that authorizes moving the body and completing burial, cremation, or other disposition. Required in every US state.
- Probate— The court-supervised process of validating a will (if there is one), paying debts, and transferring the deceased's property to heirs. Required in most cases, though some assets bypass it.
This definition is general consumer information, not legal, medical, or financial advice. Industry practices and regulations change occasionally; verify before relying on anything here for a specific decision.
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