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Onondaga County Seal
Onondaga County

Office of Vital Statistics

A Division of Health

Death Certificates By Fax

Ordering Death Certificates By Fax

Note: Only the spouse, child, parent or sibling of the deceased is entitled to receive a certified copy of a death certificate. If you are not an entitled party and have a legal need for the document, please refer to Step 6 below.

*Proof of Relationship with the deceased is required. Proof of relationship can be established by providing: a birth certificate with parents’ names or an obituary that lists the entitled party as surviving child or sibling. If the child is a minor, their parent or guardian is able to request a certificate on their behalf.

To Order a Death Certificate:

  1. Complete, print and sign a request form. Please use blue or black ink. Electronic signatures are not accepted.
  2. Review the form. Please be sure to complete the applicant and mailing address portions. Please list the child’s and his/her/their mother’s maiden name – not married name. Incomplete applications may result in processing delays.
  3. Payment. Fax orders must be paid with credit card using the credit card authorization form. If the name on the credit card is different from the name of the individual ordering the certificate, a copy of the cardholder’s ID must be included. The fee is $30.00 for the first certified copy and $15.00 for each additional copy of the same certificate when ordered at the same time.
  4. Identification: We require identification which shows your photo, signature, and mailing address. Please make sure the copy is readable, large and clear. Examples of acceptable identification include:
    • Photo driver license with signature
    • Non-driver photo ID with signature
    • Passport with signature
    • Military ID with signature
    • Employer’s photo ID with signature
    • Photo social services card with signature
  5. If your ID does not show your current mailing address, we can accept two (2) of the following:
    • Utility or phone bill from the past 6 months, showing your name and current address
    • Mail from a government agency from the past 6 months, showing your name and current address
  6. If you cannot provide any ID or utility bills showing your current address, or if you need us to mail the certificate to a third-party, please fill out the Notarized Permission to Release Vital Records form.
    • This policy does not apply to law firms, or other agencies who are requesting death certificates for legal or other official purposes.
  7. Send. Fax the request to: (315) 435-3614. A certificate is only issued after a completed request form, proper identification, and payment are received.
  8. Letter of legal need. If you are not an entitled party (spouse, child, parent, or sibling) of the deceased, and have a legal need for the death certificate, you must submit a letter from the company, office or agency that needs the document. A letter of legal need is:
    • On letterhead (of company, office or agency)
    • Addressed to you (the individual making the request)
    • Specific. It states that a copy of the deceased’s death certificate is necessary.
    • Included in addition to Steps 1-6

Express Shipping

  • Priority Mail (USPS delivery 2-3 business days) Add $20.00
  • Next Business Day (UPS delivery) Add $25.00
  • All other orders are sent regular USPS Mail (7-10 business days to process after they are received)