Colorado Death Records Information
Losing a loved one is never easy and family members can be overwhelmed with all of the tasks that must be done when a loved one passes away. Colorado death records are often needed in order to attend to financial affairs and insurance policies after someone dies. Below is an overview of how to obtain death records in Colorado and when you may need them.
What Are Colorado Death Records?
Unlike many other types of government kept documents, death records are not a matter of public record. In order to obtain death records after someone dies, you must be eligible to do so. Relatives of a deceased person may request death records so they can attend to the affairs and final wishes of their loved one. People who are not related to the deceased person must provide a document from the agency or business that needs a copy of the deceased person’s death records in order to obtain the needed documents.
What is Included in a Colorado Death Record?
Death records are issued in the form of death certificates. This certificate is usually a certified copy that contains important information regarding the death of a person such as date of death, time of death and where the individual passed away. The death certificate also lists some personal information about the deceased such as name, date of birth and the county where the person lived. Before a death certificate can be issued, the county Coroner or Medical Examiner must sign the proper form stating how the person died and the date of death.
When Does Someone Need Death Records?
After a loved one passes away, family members may need a death certificate to:
- Make Funeral Arrangements
- Obtain Permission To Cremate Or Bury Their Family Member
- Ship A Dead Relatives Remains Elsewhere
- Settle Financial AffairsCertified death certificates enable loved ones to tie up all the loose ends for their loved one after they die. However, other agencies may request death records, as well. In cases where foul play is suspected, police or state prosecutors may request the death certificate to determine the exact manner of death so a case can be made.Colorado Death RecordsIf your loved one lived in Colorado at the time of their passing, you must request a copy of their death record online at https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/deathrecords. This agencies website also provides a telephone number and physical address where you can also order a copy of a death certificate. In order to receive a standard Colorado death certificate, you must provide a copy of your identification and proof that you are eligible to request a death certificate. To accomplish this goal, you must provide a copy of your valud driver’s license or state I.D along with documents that prove your relationship to the deceased. Some examples of these documents may include birth certificates, marriage licenses or insurance policies. You must also include the non-refundable application fee listed in the website.Obtaining death records are usually not difficult, as long as the proper documents are submitted at the time of application. Once they are received, you can tend to the needs of your family member as you need to.
I need to get a Death Certificate of my friend Gerald Keith Yachym because I was beneficary on a life insurance policy of his. I was his POA and Medical POA. He had no family and was never married. When he was told he had kidney cancer he asked me to be his POA. We were neighbors for 14 years and before my husbands death he and my husband were friends. I need to know what I need to get the certificate and what I need to bring with me if I can get an appointment to pick it up. He died March 21st 2020 at Collire Hospis in Wheat Ridge CO. Thank you for any information that might be available , and how do I make an appointment?
Sandra, thank you for reaching out about our Colorado death record blog. To obtain a copy of a death certificate you will want to contact the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment directly, they are the state agency in Colorado tasked with managing vital records, which include death records. Most of the time, only immediate family can obtain a copy of a Colorado death certificate however your circumstance is special. You can call them directly @ 866-760-6489 to find out what you need to do in order to get a copy of a death certificate for an insurance policy.
I would like to obtain the death records for my grandmother and grandfather.
I am doing our family history book and would like to include that information.
I am ordering for genealogy purposes only.
JOHN ZEILER, SR.
born: 6 Jan 1881 in Frank, Russia and he died 21 Sep 1964 in Brighton, Colorado
KATHERINE (LESSER) ZEILER
born: 6 Jun 1881 in Frank, Russia and she died 1 Nov 1980 in Brighton, Colorado
We do show those Colorado death records in our Colorado vital records database. If you would like to obtain non-certified copies of this you can sign up with our premium membership and download as many death records as you would like in a PDF format. If you are looking to obtain copies of a Colorado death certificate then you will want to reach out to the Colorado Department of Public Health and make your request with them.