State Vital Records in Colorado
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment - Vital Records issues certified copies of death certificates for deaths that occurred in Colorado. Executors and surviving family order certified copies to close accounts, file insurance claims, and transfer titles; the office sets the fees, eligibility rules, and processing times.
Administering agency
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment - Vital Records
State Vital Records in Colorado: key facts
- Administering office
- Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment - Vital Records.
- Certificate fee
- $25 for the first certified copy; $20 for each additional copy ordered at the same time.
- Processing time
- 30 business days for online orders.
- Who may order
- Registrant; Immediate family; Legal representative; Those with demonstrable legal interest.
- Filing deadline
- The death certificate must be filed within 3 days.
- Public record
- No time-based public release — eligibility rules apply regardless of how long ago the death occurred.
- Records available from
- 1900. Death certificates prior to 1908 are held by Colorado State Archives.
Steps to take when someone dies
- Confirm the death occurred in Colorado — the record belongs to the state where the death occurred, regardless of where the deceased lived.
- Order certified copies through any of the office's channels:
- Online: Order online through the approved vendors linked from CDPHE (VitalChek or GoCertificates)
- By mail: Mail completed application with ID, eligibility proof, and fees
- In person: By appointment only - no walk-in services available
- Include what the office requires with the order:
- Copy of photo identification
- Proof of eligibility
- Allow the office's processing time (30 business days for online orders).
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment - Vital Records
Visit the agency website →Frequently asked questions
by mail: Mail completed application with ID, eligibility proof, and fees. in person: By appointment only - no walk-in services available.
The death certificate must be filed within 3 days. The funeral director or person in charge of disposition files the certificate with the state; the family orders certified copies once the record is registered.
Copy of photo identification; Proof of eligibility. The office also asks for the deceased's full name, date of death, and place of death to locate the record.
The record belongs to the state where the death occurred, not the state of residence. Order from the state of death, following its fees and eligibility rules.
Sources
Data sourced from State Vital Records in Colorado primary sources (1 page reviewed). How we research.
Administering agency
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment - Vital Records