State Vital Records in District of Columbia
The DC Health - Vital Records Division issues certified copies of death certificates for deaths that occurred in Washington DC. 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
DC Health - Vital Records Division
State Vital Records in District of Columbia: key facts
- Administering office
- DC Health - Vital Records Division.
- Contact
- Phone 202-442-9303; email Vital.Records@dc.gov.
- Office location
- 2201 Shannon Pl. SE, Washington, DC 20020. M-F 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM, W 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM (Processing Center only).
- Certificate fee
- $18 for the first certified copy.
- Processing time
- 2-4 weeks for remote orders.
- Who may order
- Immediate family members of deceased; Legal representative.
- Filing deadline
- The death certificate must be filed within 5 days.
- Public record
- Death records become public 75 years after the death.
- Records available from
- August 1874.
Steps to take when someone dies
- Confirm the death occurred in Washington DC — 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: Remote ordering service available (allow 2-4 weeks processing)
- By phone: Call 1-877-572-6332, Option 2
- In person: Walk-up services at 2201 Shannon Pl. SE
- Include what the office requires with the order:
- Several forms of ID recommended
- Additional documentation for non-parents, non-spouses, non-informants
- Allow the office's processing time (2-4 weeks for remote orders).
Frequently asked questions
by phone: Call 1-877-572-6332, Option 2. in person: Walk-up services at 2201 Shannon Pl. SE. The office is at 2201 Shannon Pl. SE, Washington, DC 20020.
The death certificate must be filed within 5 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.
Several forms of ID recommended; Additional documentation for non-parents, non-spouses, non-informants. 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 District of Columbia primary sources (1 page reviewed). How we research.
Administering agency
DC Health - Vital Records Division