Death Certificates

Certified copies of the Death Certificate in Onondaga County are $30.00 for the first copy and $15.00 per additional copy. These copies can be ordered by the funeral home at the time of death or may be obtained at a later date from the Bureau of Vital Statistics. Certified copies of the Death Certificate are legal documents used to declare that a person has died; they are used to change legal possession of items that may have been held by the person who died. If you are dealing with a lawyer, he/she may suggest how many copies are needed.

You will need one certified copy of the Death Certificate for each of the following that apply: • Will • Life Insurance Policy (1 for each company, not for each policy) • Banks or Credit Unions (1 for each bank, not for each account) • Motor Vehicle Bureau • House Deed and Mortgage • Pension plans or IRA's • Loans, Liens or Notes Payable • Charge Card Accounts (check with each card company) • Stocks, Bonds and other investments Social Security will not need a certified copy of the Death Certificate when form #SSA-721 is filed by our Funeral Home. The certified copies of the Death Certificate will be mailed to the address of the Informant (Next-of-Kin), as listed on the Death Certificate; unless other arrangements are made. They should arrive within 7-10 business days from the day of death. If they do not arrive, please call the funeral home.

If additional certified copies of the Death Certificate are needed, please contact: Bureau of Vital Statistics Onondaga County Civic Center (Basement Floor) 421 Montgomery Street Syracuse, New York 13202 (315)435-3241.

The funeral home has 6 months from the date of death to order additional copies for the family. After 6 months, additional certified copies can only be obtained by the next of kin from the Bureau of Vital Statistics. If there are any questions regarding the Death Certificate or how they are used, please contact the funeral home for assistance.