Order official Tennessee Death Records and Vital Records online

Death records are crucial documents that serve multiple purposes, including legal, genealogical, and personal reasons. A Tennessee death certificate provides necessary information for settling estates, claiming life insurance, and tracing family history. This guide will help you understand how to get death records in Tennessee through straightforward steps, detailing the application process, cost, and required documents.

Who Can Request Death Records?

In Tennessee, death records are considered confidential, and only certain individuals are entitled to request them. Typically, the following persons can request a Tennessee death certificate:

• • Immediate family members (spouse, parent, child, sibling);
• • Legal representative of the deceased's estate;
• • Individuals with a court order granting access to the death records;
• • Persons with documented proof of a need for the death record for establishing legal rights.

What Documents Are Required?

To apply for a Tennessee death certificate, you will need specific documents, including:

• • A completed application form; you can download the form from the Tennessee Department of Health's official website here;
• • A valid government-issued photo ID;
• • Proof of relationship to the deceased or legal interest, if applicable;
• • Payment for the processing fee.

How to Obtain Tennessee Death Records

You can apply for Tennessee death records through various methods:

Mail

Send the completed application form, copies of required documents, and payment to:

Tennessee Vital Records
1st Floor, Andrew Johnson Tower
710 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, TN 37243

In Person

Visit the Tennessee Vital Records office at the above address. Ensure you have all required documents and payment.

Online

Use the online service provided by VitalChek for a convenient and expedited process. Follow the instructions on the site to complete your application.

How Much Do Death Records Cost?

The fees for obtaining Tennessee death records are as follows:

• • $15 per copy of the death certificate;
• • Additional fees for expedited processing and shipping if ordering online via VitalChek.

Make payments using a check, money order, or credit card (online orders only).

Processing Time

The time needed to process your request depends on the method used:

• • By Mail: 4-6 weeks;
• • In Person: Immediate, if all documents are in order;
• • Online via VitalChek: 2-5 business days for expedited processing.

Carefully follow these guidelines to ensure a smooth process when requesting Tennessee death records. If you have specific questions or need assistance, feel free to reach out to the Tennessee Department of Health directly. Ensuring you have the necessary documents and correctly completed forms will help avoid delays and facilitate a timely receipt of the death certificates you need.

If the event was recorded locally or if you need immediate access to detailed records, it is preferable to contact your county vital records office directly. Find the contact details of your local county vital records office here.