People who are searching for genealogy, ancestry, and family records can easily find obituaries and death records in the various online databases. There are government websites as well as private sites which maintain their own database.

HELPFUL TIP: Click Here to Search Public death records & Obituaries Online!

Obituaries contain a lot of information like the achievements of the deceased, awards received, educational attainment, profession, religious identity, and other information. Data compilers are now taking a lot of interest in collecting obituary records to add up to their database. Because of this fact, the people can easily obtain obituary records online. The internet offers convenience and flexibility in getting the obituary records that you need. In just a few clicks of the mouse, you can already get the obituaries that you want to find.

Start searching for free obituaries now because you might be able to use that for some of your searches such as genealogy. There are exclusive sites for obituaries but you can also make use of the major search engines in looking for records of death and obituaries. If you want to get the obituaries for free, then stick with the free websites because there are also paid sites on the net for getting obituary records.

Good luck with your search and by investing some of your time, you can obtain the needed obituary record you want.

Remember to bring a valid identification with you and have information about the deceased on hand so that the process may be done in as short a manner as possible. Also, keep in mind that if someone who has lost a loved one needs someone to talk to, some vital record offices can provide information about counseling. You may want to have the date of the death and if possible the time on hand along with the name of the deceased.

death certificates are available:
By mail – If you are looking to contact the Office of Vital Records by mail the mailing address where they receive mail, forms, fees and more is:
VDH, Office of Vital Records and Health Statistics
P.O. Box 1000
Richmond, Virginia
23218-1000

If the above address is unable to receive your mail or your letter is returned to you, you can also use the following address:
VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
P.O. Box 2448
Richmond, Virginia 23218-2448
109 Governor Street
Richmond, Virginia 23219

In Person – The main walk-in office used for vital record services is: 
The Shops at Willow Lawn
1601 Willow Lawn Drive
Suite 275
Richmond, VA 23220

Electronically – For further information or other needs the official website of the Office of Vital Records for Virginia is: http://www.vdh.state.va.us/vital_records/index.htm

The following link is also available and can direct you to e-mail services: http://www.vdh.state.va.us/ContactUs.htm

Questions – To contact the Office of Vital Records in Virginia use the following number:
(804) 662-6200

Although there are no verification or records search charges. Remember when visiting the main office to have a valid photo state identification to verify that you are a state resident and/or aloud to receive these records. Having to get death records after a loved one is deceased can be very painful so having any information or forms you may need before hand can help to make sure that the process is quick and less painful.

death certificates are available:
By mail – The mailing address of the Department of Health which directs you to representatives of the vital records section is:
Vermont Department of Health
Vital Records
P.O. Box 70
Burlington, VT 05402-0070

In Person – The main walk in address used for the Department of Health in Vermont is:
Vermont Department of Health
108 Cherry Street
Burlington, VT 05402

Electronically – If you wish to contact the Vermont Department of Health regarding vital records via internet, you can use any of the following:

The official website for the Department of Health is: http://healthvermont.gov/research/records/vital_records.aspx

For a direct link to the form, you need to fill out to be eligible to receive a death certificate you can use the following link:

http://healthvermont.gov/research/records/deathcert_form.aspx

To e-mail the Department of Health in Vermont use the following e-mail address: bgs-referenceandresearch@state.vt.us
Questions – To contact a customer representative of the office of vital records belonging to the Vermont Department of Health you are able to use the following number:
(802) 828-3286
If you are looking to fax a form, or contact the Vermont Department of Health by fax, the number is: (802) 828-3710

If available, please provide the following information with your request:
• The name of the individual listed on the death record
• The city where the death happened
• The time of death, including the date

If you wish, you may go in person to request the death certificates you are require. The office keeps standards hours, and requires you to bring in a certified ID and a reason as to why you are requesting the certificate. Be aware there are fees associated with searching and receiving certified files.

If you would prefer to use VitalChek directly instead of through the website, you may do so by visiting their main website: http://www.vitalchek.com/

death certificates are available:
By mail – You may mail in your request with proof of ID to:
OFFICE OF VITAL RECORDS AND STATISTICS
PO BOX 141012
Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-1012

In Person – If you decide to go in person, be sure to verify the office hours and days the office is closed.
Office of Vital Records and Statistics
288 N 1460 W
Martha Hughes Cannon Health Building

Electronically – The main Utah website has an imbedded link to all VitalChek services for the purpose of requesting death certificates. You may use this service here: https://silver.health.utah.gov/deathinfo.html

Be aware there are additional fees to the ones listed on the main website.
Questions – Call: 801-538-6105

You may only request these sealed records if:
• You may only order the records of immediate family members if you live in the state of Texas. If you live outside of Texas, must be a surviving spouse or parent of the person on the record to request a copy
• You have a valid state-issued driver’s license or government-issued ID card
• You are ordering a record that is to be delivered within the United States
• You have a valid credit card

Records of any death that have occurred in the last 90 days may not yet be available. Always verify by phone any records that have occurred within this period. In addition, it will take between 15-20 business days to process and send your requested death certificate.

death certificates are available:
By mail – by sending the fee and necessary information to:
Texas Vital Statistics

Department of State Health Services
P.O. Box 12040
Austin, TX 78711-2040

In Person – Employees of Department of State Health Services will be glad to assist you in answering your questions or providing service.
Texas Vital Statistics
Department of State Health Services
1100 W. 49th Street
Austin, TX 78756
Open: Monday-Friday 8 am-5 pm

Electronically – The TexasOnline website has access to all of your needs to order a death certificate.

Questions – Call (888) 963-7111 to ask questions directly.

You may view the official website here:

http://health.state.tn.us/vr/

When requesting death records, please provide the following:
• A name if available
• The location where the person
• Date the death happened

Be advised that requesting official death certificates by mail may take some time to reach you. If you need your records quickly, call the office ahead to notify them of your intent and go in person to order your records.

There are also additional websites you can take advantage of if you wish. A short search will provide a list of websites, but be aware there may be extra fees you will not be aware of until your results are being shown.

death certificates are available:
By mail – Include all information and fees:
Tennessee Department of Health
Cordell Hull Building
425 5th Avenue North
Nashville, TN 37243

In Person – You may go in person using the above address. Be sure to call ahead to verify when they are open and to explain your needs.

Electronically – Requests can be sent by e-mail: tn.health@state.tn.us

Or you can use the VitalChek website to order your records: http://www.vitalchek.com/agency_info.aspx?p=3290&s=loc

Be advised additional fees will be charged for using VitalChek.

Questions – Call (615) 741-5001 with any questions.

Using the Office of Vital records is a very reliable way to search for your loved ones records or receive death certificates but if you only need information of a person or persons who have passed, you are also able to use VitalChek services. Either way, you will have a fast and efficient way to go through the legal transactions you need to will people to help.

death certificates are available:
By mail – If you have any requests or questions the mailing address is the office of Doneen Hollingsworth, secretary of health:

Doneen Hollingsworth
Secretary of Health
600 East Capitol Avenue
Pierre, SD 57501-2536

In Person – The official state office of the department of health’s vital records section is the following:

South Dakota Department of Health
Office of Vital Record
207 E. Missouri
Suite1-A, Pierre
SD 57501.

Electronically – For more information or if you would like to find more listings of local offices the official website of South Dakota Department of Heath: http://doh.sd.gov/

To contact the South Dakota by e-mail use the following: DOH.info@state.sd.us

Questions – You can contact the office of vital records from either of the following numbers:
(605) 773-3361
or
(800) 738-2301

death certificates are available through the following:
By mail – If you are in need of the mailing address for the South Carolina office of vital records for business related transactions or requests their mailing address is:

Division of Vital Records
2600 Bull Street
Columbia, SC 29201

In Person – South Carolina’s office of vital records has many easy to access walk-in offices while can be found at the following link: http://www.scdhec.net/administration/vr/locations.htm
(You are also able to visit the main state office, which is located at the same residence as the mailing address.)

Electronically – For detailed information on ordering official death record certificates and other information the official website of the South Carolina vital records office is: http://www.scdhec.net/administration/vr/

To e-mail the director of the vital records office contact: mileslb@dhec.sc.gov

Or if you would like to contact the director of customer service with a complaint his e-mail is: danielgm@dhec.sc.gov

Questions – If you need to contact the vital records office near you by phone, you can either use the link above or find a specific location or you can call the following number: (803) 898-3630

To contact by fax, use the following: (803) 898-3761

death certificates and information on death certificates are available through the following methods:

By mail – For mailing to the Rhode Island vital records facility use the following address:
Office of Vital Records
Room 101 Cannon Building
3 Capitol Hill
Providence RI 02908-5097

In Person – The office is located at the mailing address listed above and their hours of being open are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Electronically –Because Rhode Island’s office of vital records uses primarily online functions and tool it can be helpful to visit their official website at the following link: www.health.state.ri.us/chic/vital/index.php

Questions – If you are not able to find all of the information that you needed from this article, we apologize and the following numbers are available with information and representatives from the vital records offices in Rhode Island:
(401) 222-2811 for informational recordings
Alternatively, (401) 222-2812 for live customer service representatives Mondays through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

If any of the above numbers did not work for a representative contact: (800)947-7434

Or if you are out of the state currently call: (401)222-5960
If you need to fax your documents, the number is (401)222-6548

The Pennsylvania Department of Health’s Vital Records office is a safe, reliable way to get the forms and certificates you need.

death certificates are available through the following methods:

By mail – If you want to send mail to the vital records office in Pennsylvania the following is their mailing address:
Pennsylvania Department of Health
Health and Welfare Building
7th & Forster Streets
Harrisburg, PA 17120

In Person – If you would like to obtain an death record or certificate or just to get information on a family member who has died two of the available walk-in offices are listed below: 
Vital Records Main Office
101 South Mercer Street
New Castle, PA 16103
Or
Bureau of Health Statistics and Research
Forum Place
555 Walnut Street, 6th Fl
Harrisburg, PA 17101

Electronically For more information that you where not able to acquire from this article or about other office locations and office hours the official website for the Pennsylvania Department of Health is: http://www.dsf.health.state.pa.us/health/cwp/view.asp?Q=202275

Questions –For any information, you need on Pennsylvania’s death or vital records the following number is their main customer service line:
(877) PA-HEALTH
(877) 72-432584