Vermont Death Certificate for Probate
Vermont death certificate tasks usually start with the funeral home, Vermont Department of Health, Vital Records, and most Vermont town and city clerks, who act as issuing agents from the Statewide Registration System rather than from their own books, or an approved ordering channel. Use certified copies for probate filings, banks, insurance claims, title transfers, and estate records.
- First copy
- $10 per certified copy, set by statute at 18 V.S.A. § 5017(a). Ordering online costs $12, because the Department adds a $2 processing fee on top of the statutory $10
- Additional copies
- $10 each. Vermont charges one flat fee with no search fee and no discount for buying several at once, so ordering extra copies up front saves a trip rather than money. Noncertified copies are FREE by email from the Department, and a noncertified copy may be recorded in a town’s land records to establish the date of death of a person with an ownership interest in property (18 V.S.A. § 5016(c)(2)), which is the one place it carries the same weight as a certified copy
- Processing time
- Same day at a town or city clerk once the record has been filed, and the Department of Health calls the clerk the fastest and cheapest route for anyone in Vermont. Neither 18 V.S.A. chapter 101 nor the Department publishes a turnaround for mail or online orders, so no estimate is given here for those channels. Eligibility is a closed statutory list at 18 V.S.A. § 5016(b)(2) rather than a direct-and-tangible-interest test, and it names “a person petitioning to open a decedent’s estate” ahead of a court-appointed executor or administrator, so an executor-to-be can buy the ORIGINAL death certificate that 14 V.S.A. § 1901(a)(4) requires with a small-estate petition without being appointed first. Every applicant shows identification
- Online ordering
- Yes
Vermont Death Certificate for Probate Uses
Use Vermont certified death certificates as proof of death for estate tasks. Ask each filing office, bank, insurer, title office, or agency whether it needs an original certified copy before handing one over.
Where to Order Death Certificates
Choose the method that works best for your timeline.
Funeral Home
The funeral home typically orders initial copies for the family. This is usually the fastest option.
County Health Department
Visit your local county health department or records office in person.
State Records Office
Order online or by mail from Vermont Department of Health, Vital Records, and most Vermont town and city clerks, who act as issuing agents from the Statewide Registration System rather than from their own books. Check current processing time before using this path for urgent filing-office, bank, or title tasks.
Third-Party Services
Companies like VitalChek can process orders faster for an additional fee.
Use Vermont Records and County Instructions Together
Vermont Department of Health, Vital Records, and most Vermont town and city clerks, who act as issuing agents from the Statewide Registration System rather than from their own books controls state death-record ordering information, while county Probate Division, clerks, recorders, banks, insurers, and title offices decide what proof they need for a specific estate task.
- Ask the funeral home how many certified copies it can order
- Check the current state death-record ordering page before mailing or paying fees
- Ask the county Probate Division or local filing office what proof of death belongs in the filing packet
- Ask each bank, insurer, title office, or agency whether it keeps the original certified copy
- Keep receipts and a certificate-use log in the estate file
Vermont Death Records Office
Vermont Department of Health, Vital Records, and most Vermont town and city clerks, who act as issuing agents from the Statewide Registration System rather than from their own books
Who Can Order Death Certificates?
In Vermont, certified copies can only be requested by certain people.
- Spouse or domestic partner
- Child, parent, or grandparent
- Sibling
- Legal guardian
- Personal representative or executor
- Attorney representing the estate
- Funeral director
Certified Copy vs. Working Copy
Use scanned or photocopied records for your internal checklist when allowed, but expect Vermont filing offices, banks, insurers, and title contacts to ask for certified copies for formal transactions. Verify the current requirement before sending an original.
How Many Death Certificates Do You Need?
Each bank, insurer, or agency typically requires an original certified copy. Here is a guide.
| Organization / Purpose | Copies Needed |
|---|---|
| Banks and financial companies | 1-2 each |
| Life insurance claims | 1 each |
| Social Security Administration | 1 |
| Probate or estate filing | 1-2 |
| Property and vehicle transfers | 1-2 each |
| Retirement account claims | 1 each |
| Credit card companies | 1 each |
| Personal records | 1-2 |
There is no rush on this. When you are ready, a short assessment can help you see whether probate is needed.
What to Do Next
Once you have death certificates, you can start notifying organizations and transferring assets.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a death certificate cost in Vermont?
How many death certificates do I need?
Who can order a death certificate in Vermont?
Official Vermont Sources and FormsOfficial references used for this page
- Vermont death certificate orderingVermont Department of Health, Vital Records, and most Vermont town and city clerks, who act as issuing agents from the Statewide Registration System rather than from their own books. Current state records source in Settled state data.
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 Vermont can change. Consult with a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation. Full disclaimer.
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