How many certified copies of a death certificate should you order in Utah, who needs them, and how the funeral home helps you obtain them.
How Many Death Certificates Do You Need?
After a death, one of the most common practical questions families ask is how many certified copies of the death certificate to order. Order too few and you may face delays reordering; order far too many and you have paid for copies you do not use. Here is how to think it through.
As your funeral home, Inspired Funeral Home prepares and files the death certificate and obtains certified copies on your behalf — so this is one task you do not have to manage alone.
A good rule of thumb
Most families need somewhere between five and ten certified copies. The right number depends on your loved one’s finances and affairs — someone with several accounts, policies, and property will need more than someone with a simple estate. When in doubt, it is usually better to order a couple of extra copies up front than to reorder later.
Who typically asks for a certified copy?
Certified copies (not photocopies) are usually required by:
- Banks and credit unions, to close or transfer accounts
- Life insurance companies, to process each policy claim
- Retirement and pension plans (401(k), IRA, employer plans)
- The Social Security Administration and, for veterans, the VA
- County property and title offices, for real estate and vehicles
- Investment and brokerage accounts
- Attorneys and the probate court, when settling the estate
A single institution will often accept one certified copy and return it, but many require their own. Because several of these can happen at once, having a small stack of certified copies keeps things moving during an already difficult time.
Certified copies vs. photocopies
Only certified copies — issued by the state with an official seal — are accepted for financial and legal matters. A photocopy of a certified copy is not sufficient for most institutions. This is why ordering the right number of certified copies from the start matters.
We handle the paperwork
You do not need to navigate vital records offices yourself. We complete and file the death certificate and order the certified copies you need. For more on the first steps after a loss, see our guide on what to do when someone dies.
Have questions right now? Call us any hour at (385) 853-5700 or reach out here.