First week
Order certified copies of the death certificate
You'll need certified copies of the death certificate for nearly everything else — banks, insurers, the court, the Social Security Administration.
- When to do it
- Within the first week. Order more than you think you'll need.
- Estimated time
- 1–3 weeks for delivery; longer in some states
What you’ll need
- The decedent's full legal name and date of death
- Place of death (city/county and state)
- Your relationship to the decedent
- Government-issued ID
Steps
- Ask the funeral home — most will order copies on your behalf as part of their services.
- Otherwise, request copies from the state's vital records office where the death occurred.
- Order at least 10 certified copies. You'll send originals (not photocopies) to many institutions.
Get your free 30-day Executor Roadmap
A personalized checklist based on your state and situation. No legal jargon. We’ll email you the first week of steps and a free PDF you can share with family.
We don’t share your info. Unsubscribe anytime. By submitting you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms.
Related tasks
- Secure the home and personal propertyLock up. Change locks if needed. Forward mail. The estate is responsible for what's in the home from now on.
- Locate the will and any trust documentsFind the original will. Photocopies are not the same as originals, and the original is what gets filed with the court.
- Notify the Social Security AdministrationIf the decedent was receiving Social Security, the funeral home usually reports the death. Confirm — and stop benefits to avoid clawbacks.