Vermont Death Records

Vermont's age-adjusted mortality rate of 744.2 per 100,000 residents is lower than the national average, which is currently about 805.6 deaths per 100,000 people. The state's death rate has been trending upward in the last few years, with an average of 6,607 deaths recorded each year. For every 100,000 Vermont residents, about 230 individuals die from cancer, while an estimated 246 die from heart disease.

While earlier records of death events were recorded at the town level (although incomplete), mandatory registration of deaths in Vermont did not begin until 1857; earlier records generally date back to the 1760s. A death record is either certified or non-certified in the state. Certified copies of a death record are typically printed on state-engraved security paper, and they have a raised seal. On the other hand, non-certified copies are issued on plain paper containing a "non-certified copy" watermark. The major type of death record in the state is the death certificate.

When someone dies in Vermont, a licensed healthcare professional is typically responsible for preparing and filing the original death certificate. However, this duty is often delegated to a funeral director. Nevertheless, only a healthcare professional can complete and certify the cause of death information. Once completed and certified, an original death certificate must be filed with the town clerk or the state's Department of Health, where certified copies are made available to eligible persons. Certified copies of a Vermont death certificate are official reproductions of the original death certificate. They are usually authenticated or verified by a government seal.

How Do I Get a Certified Copy of a Death Certificate in Vermont?

Certified copies of Vermont death certificates from 1908 and earlier (if filed) and from January 1, 1909, are available at the town clerks where such death events occurred. Interested persons may also obtain certified copies of death certificates from January 1, 1909, to the present from the state's Department of Health, through the Vital Records Office.

Anyone may obtain a certified copy of a Vermont death certificate through any of the following ways:

• Order By Mail from the Vital Records Office - Take the steps below to get a certified copy of a Vermont death certificate by mail:

  • Fill out applicable portions of the Application for a Certified Copy of a Vermont Birth or Death Certificate.
  • Prepare a photocopy of a valid ID. Acceptable valid IDs include a driver's license, military ID, passport, tribal ID, VISA, employment authorization card or document, State of Vermont employee ID, resident alien card or U.S. permanent resident card, or U.S. green card, and any documentation from the Vermont Department of Corrections substantiating identity. Copies of 2 documents (the documents must show the applicant's address and signature) from the secondary ID documents listed on the application form may also be used for individuals who do not have valid IDs.
  • Pay $10 for each certified copy of the death certificate required by check or money order made out to the Vermont Department of Health.

  • Submit the completed application form, a copy of a valid ID, and payment by mail to the state's Department of Health at:

    Vermont Department of Health

    Vital Records Office

    280 State Drive

    Waterbury, VT 05671-8370

• Order from a Town Clerk - To order certified copies of a Vermont death certificate from a town clerk, visit the relevant Town Clerk's Office with all the requirements. Request an application form, complete it, and submit it alongside every other requirement, including payment.

  Most applications for certified copies of Vermont death certificates are processed within 5 to 7 business days.

Are Vermont Death Records Public?

Vermont death records are public documents and are accessible to members of the public, per Section 5016, Title 18, of the state's Statutes Annotated. However, access may be restricted to certain confidential information, like Social Security numbers in a death record.

Who Can Request an Original Death Certificate in Vermont?

Original death certificates in Vermont are not issued, as they are typically kept by the state's Department of Health's Vital Records Office. They remain permanently in the custody of the Vital Records Office once filed after the death of individuals named on them (deceased). While members of the public may obtain non-certified copies of the death certificate, only the following persons are authorized under state law to request certified copies of a Vermont death certificate:

• The decedent's spouse, children, grandchildren, siblings, parents, grandparents, and guardians,
• A court-appointed administrator or executor.
• An individual petitioning to open a deceased's estate.
• The legal representatives of the decedent's close relatives.
• An employee of a public agency authorized by the State Registrar to request a copy of the certificate.
• The Social Security Administration, the decedent's insurance provider, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, or any person with authority for final disposition.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Death Certificate in Vermont?

When a person dies in Vermont and the original death certificate is filed with the state's Vital Records Office, anyone may get a copy of that death certificate anywhere from 7 days to a few weeks upon request. Typically, it is expected that an original death certificate be registered with the Department of Health, through the Vital Records Office, within a few days after a person's death, particularly if the death occurred naturally. However, when someone dies in an unnatural, unusual, or suspicious manner, there may be a preliminary investigation and autopsy to determine the cause of death.

During autopsy, the Medical Examiner will conduct a series of tests to determine the actual cause of death. Depending on the scope of detailed studies required during the autopsy procedure and the complexity of the case, it can take several weeks before the final autopsy report is available. In more complex cases, this could take several months. Unless the cause and manner of death are ascertained, the Medical Examiner will not complete or sign a death certificate. This procedure may go on for several months before a complete autopsy report is ready, which ultimately affects how long it takes for anyone to get a copy of such a death certificate.

Can I View Vermont Death Records Online for Free?

Yes. The Vermont Department of Health provides the public with a searchable index of death records dating from 1909 to later. Users can conduct their search using the deceased's last name, year of death, and sex as the search criteria. Similarly, copies of some death records from 1760 to 2008 are available online through Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org. Also, free, online access to death records is available to the state's residents through the myVermont.gov portal.

Furthermore, several third-party sites like Vermontpublicrecords.us provide record search services and allow members of the public to access death records in the state online. However, reliable third-party services are not available for free. Users are usually required to pay a small fee.

Alternatively, individuals can check certain substitute records for information regarding death events in Vermont. Substitute records for vital events are alternative sources for events like death. They include newspaper obituaries, census records, church records, mortuary records, tax records, probate records, city directories, funeral cards, hospital records, coroner's records, cemetery records, insurance records, and body transit records. Death information in these records is usually viewable free of charge.

When Would You Require A Death Certificate in Vermont?

The following are some of the legal and administrative reasons for obtaining copies of a death certificate in Vermont:

• Making funeral or cremation arrangements.
• Filing life insurance claims.
• Canceling a decedent's credit cards to prevent or reduce the chances of identity fraud.
• Transferring a decedent's bills to another individual.
• Selling a decedent's property and transferring the title.
• Informing the deceased's insurance provider about the person's death.
• Notifying the Social Security Administration (SSA) about a person's death, especially if the decedent received payments and other social security benefits while still alive.
• Notifying a decedent's credit card companies and lenders about the person's death.
• Informing the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) about a person's death and filing one last tax return for the deceased person.
• Closing a deceased person's financial accounts.
• Pursuing a wrongful death lawsuit.
• Canceling a deceased person's utility services.
• Filing to receive continuing pension benefits, Medicaid benefits, and other retirement benefits of a deceased person.

How Many Death Certificates Do I Need in Vermont?

Requesting anywhere between 8 and 12 copies of a death certificate in Vermont is generally recommended. However, the actual number of copies required by a person can vary, depending on several factors. The major factors include the number of private entities and government agencies that require a copy for legal or administrative purposes, and whether an entity or agency needs a certified copy or can accept the photocopy of a certified copy of a death certificate.

When deciding the number of copies of a death certificate to obtain from the Vermont Vital Records Office, consider the following:

• Funeral Services - Funeral services generally need a copy of a death certificate.
• Administrative and Legal Purposes - Copies of a death certificate are typically needed to stop government benefits, close bank accounts, and make certain claims in a deceased's insurance policies.
• Family Size - The size of a deceased's family can greatly influence the number of copies of the death certificate required to claim inheritances as beneficiaries of the deceased's estate.
• Unforeseen Situations - Sometimes, situations may arise that need copies of a deceased's death certificate. Hence, it is always recommended to request extra copies of a death certificate, as they usually come in handy in unforeseen circumstances.