I am trying to find out how I find a certificate of death for someone who passed in 2005?

Question

my uncle passed in 2005 I am trying to find out who the executor of his will would be and where to find a certificate of death. Of the two possible counties he passed in ....neither courthouse has a place to look up any information. I live in another state....Please point me in the right direction.
Thank You

Answer 1

Try the Register of Deeds. They are supposed to have all of these records on file. You might have to pay a fee for the certificate, but you should be able to get it. If the county doesn't have one, try the state capital.

Answer 2

The county of his death may or may not have been the the same county he resided in. His death certificate should be filed in the county he died in (although I have seen deaths in State Hospitals filed in the county of residence). His estate would have been probated from the county of residence.

You may want to try searching the social security death index at http://ssdi.rootsweb.com/ . If he is listed it will show the last residence they have on file. Many are not listed because they never had any social security claims. If he is listed it will be a good clue on where he was living. You may also want to check for an obituary in the local newspapers, for that you could check directly with the newspapers. Also the local library will probably have microfilm of the newspapers on file. The obit may have clues on where he died at or where he lived at.

Record keeping and laws vary from state to state. I would start with the county courthouse(s) to see if they keep these records and what kind of access you can have to them. Since you live out of state, I would suggest calling the court house and start with the county clerks office. They probably handle the death certificates, but the probate is probably from a different office. Be clear with them about what you are looking for, be polite and be persistant. Also a word of advice - the County Clerks office handles the elections, so if it can wait until after the elections are over, you will find them more helpful.

To locate newspapers try http://newslink.org/news.html
Some papers have on-line archives (some free - some pay-per-view)

Answer 3

Hello,

Contact the Department of Vital records in that state that your uncle died in. They Have a web site,but it's specific to each state, so just google XXX State Department of Vital Records. This department has records of all who have been born and or passed within the state. They may direct you to a local branch, but atleast you'll get the death certificate. As for the executor of his estate/will, try contacting the prothonotary or register of wills, office, They'll have the info.

Good Luck

Answer 4

Have you tried the County Seat of the city where he was born?
ALSO: Try the County Seat Courthouses & City Hall of A: Where he WAS BORN 1st. 2nd: Try the City Hall, Where he was listed as a resident, WHEN HE "Entered Eternity".
3rd: Try all cities where was a redident & the city/cities' newspaper. The newspaper issue that wrote of his obituary, would be the best place to start.
When you start, give his complete name, birthdate, deathdate & where he was resident. The City of his BIRTH usually also has oroginal copy of his BIRTH & DEATH CERTIFICATES.
PS: If he was born at a home or a farm, (IN THE COUNTRY) you may need to go to the city closest to his birthplace, if it is/was in the country.

Answer 5

It seems odd to me the the county courthouse in the county where he passed away does not have this.

Answer 6

Here in New Hampshire, we go to the city clerk office. They have death and birth records.

Answer 7

You will need to write to the bureau of vital statistics for that area. The CDC keeps the list

http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/howto/w2w/w2welcom.htm

Answer 8

JD Smith,

You can get vital records at this site, by state:

Answer 9

Ancestery .com holds all records death ,birth ,marriage ,etc....