Death Records

Death Records

Death records can be found online in most cases, though laws vary depending on the state the death occurred in. When death records are released, they can contain information about the name of the deceased, the location, the cause, and more personal information linked to their death.

There are many reasons why you might be searching for someone’s death records. Maybe you’re trying to unlock pieces of your family’s history, doing a research paper on causes of death in your city, or even for legal purposes. Death records can be vital information in some cases, but can be sealed in other cases for a number of years.

If you're doing a public search, there's no guarantee you'll find the information you need. Still, you’ll be able to find out a lot more about this person that can give you an overview of the life they lived. When searching for death records, you should also take a peek at what else their report has to offer.

What Are Death Records?

When a death occurs in any state, there must be death records filed with the local or state’s vital records office. These records are kept by the office and can be released to the public if they’re not ordered to be sealed.

A death certificate is required anywhere from 1-10 days after the death was reported, depending on the state it occurred in. These certificates are issued by the government and will declare the cause of death, location, name, time of death, and other personal information about the deceased person at the time of death.

Who Can View Death Records?

Death records aren’t always as available as other information out there, but they are easily given out to immediate family members. There are various legal reasons why someone might need to obtain a family member’s death records, which is why these are handed out frequently.

Here’s some of the more popular reasons someone might be searching for a family member’s death records:

• Life Insurance - If you were the main beneficiary for the deceased person’s life insurance policy, death records in the form of a death certificate will be required to claim those benefits. This process can be dreadful, but is necessary to make sure those benefits are released to you.
• Pension - If your spouse had a pension before they passed away, you could be entitled to benefits from that pension. Also a long process, having death records handy can help speed along the confirmation of death -- although you’ll also have to prove your relationship with them.
• Settling Estate - When a loved one passes away, their property and assets need to go somewhere. No matter what type of estate you are trying to settle, a death certificate will be needed to access bank accounts and prove death to anyone needing it.
• Medicaid - If your loved one passed away, but was due medicaid benefits, you can be entitled to receive those if you have their death records and death certificate.
• Re-Marriage - If you want to re-marry after your spouse dies, you will need death records in order to get a new marriage license. This way they can confirm there is no potential wrong-doing by the individuals looking to marry.

Outside of family members, it will likely be difficult to find death records that have happened recently. Most death records aren’t released until long after the death occurs -- in some states they wait several decades before releasing to the public.

What Else Is Available to the Public?

Although you might not find what you were looking for in death records, there are a ton of public records available that can give vivid details on the experiences and events in their life. When you perform a public search like the one provided on this website, you can unlock all of this with limited information.

Let’s take a look at what we can help you find:

• Birth Records - These records can detail the date of birth, the person’s current age, their astrological sign, the city they were born in, what time they were born, and even whether or not they were issued a social security number (no, it won’t give you their social security number).
• Marriage Records - If the individual you’re searching for has ever been married, divorced, or remarried, public records can show you. Laws and regulations might vary state to state, much like death records, but this information is more widely found than a death certificate.
• Address History - Think about all of the addresses you’ve ever lived at. Chances are you can’t remember them, or at least the full address. Well, a public record search can give you a detailed list of all the residences you’ve lived at, including condos, apartments, houses, rentals, etc.
• Phone Records - Now try to do the same thing, but with the phone numbers you’ve had in your life. They can show these too, both past and current. It’ll give the phone carrier, number, and whether the phone is still in service or not.
• Social Media Accounts - We all have social media accounts these days, whether it be FaceBook, Instagram, or LinkedIn. Public records can help you link to a person’s real social media profiles so you can confirm they are who they say they are.
• Arrest History - If the individual has ever been arrested, convicted, indicted, or incarcerated, the report will give you more information on the why, when, and how behind the arrest or trial.

If you’re interested in searching for someone’s public records -- even to see if they have any death records available -- you can start the process today with our help.

How to Find Death Records

If you’re looking for death records, you should start with a public records search due to the simplicity and quickness. If you have the first and last name of the individual you’d like to search for, even if it’s your own name, you’re ready to start right now.

In the search engine located below, type the name into the respective boxes. You can choose to select a city and state, but it won’t be required. Hit ‘Search’ and unlock the possible matches to the name you entered.

Many people will share the same name, so confirm you have the right person before fully digging through their report. Other than that, have fun unlocking your family and friend’s history!