In Connecticut, certified death certificates are issued by State Vital Records Office, Connecticut Department of Public Health. The state fee is $20 for the first certified copy and the same for each additional copy.
Here is who can order a certified copy, how to order it, and how long it takes, taken from the office’s own pages. Fees and times change, so check the office’s page before you pay.
How much a death certificate costs in Connecticut
| Item | State fee |
|---|---|
| First certified copy | $20 |
| Each additional copy | $20 |
Each certified copy is $20 from the state (money order, business check or cashier's check only; no personal checks). VitalChek adds fees. Town payment rules differ. The spouse, child or parent of a veteran may get one free copy.
Who can order a certified copy
Anyone 18 or older can buy a certified copy. A copy showing the Social Security number (deaths on or after July 1, 1997) is limited to the informant named on the certificate, the surviving spouse, and next of kin, with proof.
How to order
- Online (official vendor: VitalChek)
- County/local office
The vital records office of the town where the death occurred also issues copies.
How long it takes
The office does not publish a processing time. Ask when you order, especially if an insurer or bank is waiting.
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The funeral home’s role
Funeral directors requesting copies for a deceased veteran's family at the time of death get one free copy (CT DPH).
Connecticut uses separate state and town application forms. The CT DPH pages state no processing time.
How many copies to order
Most banks, insurers, pension plans and government agencies each want their own certified copy. Count the accounts and policies before you order, because ordering more later means another application and fee. How many death certificates you need has a worksheet.
Who decides the funeral in Connecticut
State law sets who has the right to make funeral arrangements. See who has the right to make funeral decisions in Connecticut.
Related guides
- What to do when someone dies: the first 24 hours
- Who to call when someone dies, and in what order
- How much a funeral costs, line by line
- Help paying for a funeral: Social Security, VA and FEMA
- Official funeral resources for every state
Sources
- State Vital Records Office, Connecticut Department of Public Health
- CDC: Where to Write for Vital Records (Connecticut)
- State Vital Records Office, Connecticut Department of Public Health (PDF)
Checked 2026-09-24. General information, not legal advice.