How Many Death Certificates Are Needed?

You will need to show an original death certificate, they will make a photocopy, and they should return the original to you.

• Social Security (Personal Alternative informs Social Security via fax)
  
• Bank accounts (Local)
  
• Motor Vehicle Licensing
  
• Credit Cards (fax them and keep the fax confirmation sheet for your records)
  
• Puget Sound Energy (fax them and keep the fax confirmation sheet for your records)
  
• Cellular Phone Accounts (fax them and keep the fax confirmation sheet for your records)
  
• Filing a will with the local courthouse.
  

You will probably have to give these agencies an original copy of death certificate.

• 401K (Held by a stockbroker-the stockbroker should be able to handle multiple sales with one death certificate)
  
• Any stock certificates held in note form, not held in trust.
  
• Retirement Pension - State
  
• Retirement Company Pension Plan
  
• Military benefits (Free VA copy is issued specifically for VA Benefits)
  
• Life Insurance policies (Life insurance policies will require an original and death certificate won't be returned)
  
• Some mortgages are life insured.
  
• Some vehicle are insured for their payments
  
• Out of state property transfer, vehicles, RVs, Houses etc.
  
• Closing out of state bank accounts
  
• When someone has a rental storage space it is often required to give them an original for their records.
  
• Closing a corporation, LLC etc
  
• For each child under the age of 18, we recommend having a death certificate for that child, there are many reasons why they will require a death certificate in the future, as an example, universities offer assistance to orphaned children.
  
• When forwarding human remains to another country, many consulates require an original for their records.
  
• When burying or scattering ashes in some states, an original death certificate is required by the cemetery or scattering service (Washington state does not) As a rule of thumb, anytime you will be getting funds back, you will in most cases require an original death certificate.