How Do I Get a Death Certificate in Tennessee?
In Tennessee, certified death certificates come from the Tennessee Department of Health - Office of Vital RecordsTennessee Department of Health - Office of Vital RecordsVerified Sep 1, 2026View source; the first copy costs $15Tennessee Department of Health - Office of Vital RecordsVerified Sep 1, 2026View source.
Frequently Asked Questions
In Tennessee, each certified copy costs $15Tennessee Department of Health - Office of Vital RecordsVerified Sep 1, 2026View source. Copies ordered together cost less than separate orders placed later. The Tennessee estate settlement plan lists the accounts and institutions that each want a certified copy.
Death certificates in Tennessee are issued by the Tennessee Department of Health - Office of Vital RecordsTennessee Department of Health - Office of Vital RecordsVerified Sep 1, 2026View source. Online orders go through VitalChekTennessee Department of Health - Office of Vital RecordsVerified Sep 1, 2026View source. Most funeral homes also place the first order for the family at the time of death.
Standard processing in Tennessee takes 3 days by mail or onlineTennessee Department of Health - Office of Vital RecordsVerified Sep 1, 2026View source. Expedited service takes Same day in personTennessee Department of Health - Office of Vital RecordsVerified Sep 1, 2026View source. A funeral home's order at the time of death usually arrives first.
In Tennessee, a certified copy can be ordered by: Mother, father, son, daughter, husband, or wife, Funeral directors, With documentation: beneficiaries, executors of the estate, legal guardians, legal representatives, attorneysTennessee Department of Health - Office of Vital RecordsVerified Sep 1, 2026View source. A requester shows Completed and signed application and Photocopy of government-issued ID with signatureTennessee Department of Health - Office of Vital RecordsVerified Sep 1, 2026View source.
The Tennessee Department of Health - Office of Vital RecordsTennessee Department of Health - Office of Vital RecordsVerified Sep 1, 2026View source holds death records from 1914Tennessee Department of Health - Office of Vital RecordsVerified Sep 1, 2026View source to the present. Records over 50 years old available at TN State Library and Archives. 1975 death, marriage, and divorce records released to the Archives in January 2026; OVR itself holds 1976-present. A record becomes public 50 yearsTennessee Department of Health - Office of Vital RecordsVerified Sep 1, 2026View source after the date of death.
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