Social Security Death Records – Hot to Order Official Death Records from the US Social Security Administration (SSA)
The first step to getting information on a persons death is searching the Social Security Death Index (SSDI). You can find many commercial webpages that will offer free access to this database.
Once you locate the database you will need to enter the deceased individual’s name and social security number. The database will confirm that the individual is deceased and will show you other relevant information you will need to obtain the death certificate such as dates of birth and death and last known residence.
Death certificates are on file in the office of vital records in the city and state where the death occurred, not at the Social Security Administration. The SSA database contains records from all over the country, but only provides the information.
Considering the average price of less than twenty dollars, approaching your vital records office is the most cost effective path to attaining an official death certificate. Numerous websites, such as the National Center for Health Statistics, list the locations of these offices for your convenience.
Be sure that you provide all of the required information and documentation, also follow all instructions that they give to you when you are requesting vital records.
There are third party websites that you can contact to order the vital records for you. You will pay more for the record through these websites than if you contacted the local office directly, but they can be more convenient for you to use.
If you decide to order online, all you have to do is fill out an online form to provide them with basic information about the deceased, payment information, and also the address where you would like them to send the record. After just a few clicks, your order is complete.
The certificate will usually arrive 1 to 2 weeks after your order, which is sometimes faster than if you ordered it through the local office yourself. Ordering your vital records, including death certificates, online will cost slightly more, but the convenience saves you time and hassle.