How Many Death Certificates Do You Need?
Order 10 to 12 certified copies of the death certificate. Each bank, insurer, brokerage, and government office that handles the deceased person’s affairs will want its own certified copy, and many will not accept a photocopy. A simple estate may need only 5 or 6; a larger one can use 15 or more.
The Short Answer
Ten to twelve certified copies covers most families. It is a round number that accounts for the banks, insurers, and offices that each keep a copy, plus a few spares so you are never stuck waiting on a reorder while a deadline sits open.
If you want to size it to your situation, count one certified copy for each of the items in the checklist below, then add two or three spares. When in doubt, order more at the start: extra copies ordered together are cheap, and reordering later costs both a second fee and a wait.
Why So Many
Institutions do not share death certificates with each other, and most will not hand one back once you give it to them. Each bank, each insurance policy, and each government office wants its own original certified copy to keep in its file. Families routinely underestimate this and end up reordering, which stalls whatever they were trying to close. The first steps after a death guide and the executor checklist show where ordering certificates fits in the wider process.
Who Asks for a Certified Copy
Use this checklist to estimate how many you need. Count one certified copy for each line that applies, then add a few spares.
| Who asks | How many |
|---|---|
| Each bank or credit union where the person held an account | One per institution |
| Each brokerage or investment firm | One per institution |
| Each life insurance policy | One per policy |
| Employer, pension, or 401(k) plan | One each |
| Social Security Administration | Usually reported by the funeral home; keep one on hand |
| Department of Motor Vehicles (to retitle a vehicle) | One per state |
| County recorder or land records (to transfer real estate) | One per property |
| Probate court, if the estate is administered | One or two |
| Veterans Affairs, if the person was a veteran | One |
| Utility, phone, and subscription accounts to close | Often a photocopy is accepted |
Accounts and policies that name a beneficiary or a payable-on-death recipient still ask for a certified copy to release the money to that person. See beneficiary designations for how those transfers work.
Certified Copy vs. Photocopy
A certified copy is issued by the state or county vital records office and carries an official seal. Banks, insurers, brokerages, and government offices require the certified version, and some reject one older than 60 to 90 days, so it is worth holding a few in reserve rather than sending your last one. A plain photocopy is fine only for informal notifications, such as canceling a magazine subscription. When it is time to actually move accounts, our how to order death certificates guide covers where to request them in your state.
How to Order More
The funeral home or cremation provider usually orders the first batch when it registers the death; you just tell them how many. After that, you order additional certified copies directly from the vital records office in the state or county where the death was recorded, by mail, online, or in person.
Not sure which offices the estate will actually need to deal with? When you are ready, a short assessment can map out the steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many death certificates should I order?
Are death certificates free?
Will a photocopy work instead of a certified copy?
Who orders the death certificates?
What if I run out and need more later?
Information current as of July 15, 2026
Settled Estate is not a law firm, and this content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Probate laws and procedures in your state can change. Consult with a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation. Full disclaimer.