Frequently Asked Questions About Death Certificates

A death certificate is divided into two sections: 

1. The decedent’s personal information, gathered by the funeral director at the initial arrangement conference with the family.

2. The “medical portion,” completed by the certifying physician or medical examiner as listing the primary cause of death and any contributing causes. 

Because of privacy laws, the state of Florida issues two types of death certificates – one includes cause of death information, the other does not. Since cause of death information is considered confidential and protected by statute, most Florida businesses are not allowed to accept a death certificate with cause of death information included. Life insurance companies do, however, require cause of death information on the certificate.  

1. The decedent’s spouse or parent 

2. The decedent’s child, grandchild, or sibling if legal age 

3. To any person who provides a will, insurance policy or other document that demonstrates an interest in the estate of the decedent. 

The number of death certificates needed varies from family to family, depending on the number of business transactions needing attention that requires a death certificate.

 You will need a death certificate for each of the following: 

• Life insurance policies (one ‘long form’ with cause of death for each policy)
• Pension (one ‘long form’ with cause of death) 
• Veterans Administration if they were receiving Veteran’s Benefits (one ‘long form’ with cause of death) 
• Stocks, bonds, annuities, and trust accounts (one ‘short form’ per company)
• Real Property (one ‘short form’ without cause of death per Florida county property owned, and one for each additional state property owned). If a Florida property is deeded by more than one name, the name of the deceased will need to be removed from the deed. This can be done by recording a certified copy of the county courthouse. 
• To sell or transfer title of a car, boat, or airplane (one ‘short form’ without cause of death is needed). If the automobile title is in more than one name, the name of the deceased will need to be removed from the title(s). You will need to bring each title and just one death certificate without cause to the Department of Motor Vehicles in the county you reside in.  
• Social Security (if there is a surviving spouse, they are entitled to the $255 death benefit (one ‘short form’ without cause of death along with a copy of the marriage license. 
• Bank accounts held by the decedent, whether solely or jointly (one ‘short form’ without cause of death). It is suggested that you keep the deceased’s name on one account to enable any outstanding checks to be processed. Often, the banks will make a copy of the certified death certificate and return it to you. 
• Credit Life, if carried on their credit cards, loans, or mortgages (one ‘short form’ along with proof of Credit Life for each account)