How Many Death Certificates Do You Need? A Simple Guide for Families
When a loved one passes away, one of the most common questions families ask us is: “How many death certificates do I need?” It's a great question — and the good news is, there’s no need to get the number exactly right upfront. We’re here to help make it easy.
What Is a Death Certificate and Why Is It Important?
A death certificate is an official legal document issued by the state that certifies someone has passed away. It contains vital information, including the full legal name, date and place of death, and cause of death.
This document is used to settle a loved one’s affairs — from closing bank accounts and accessing benefits to transferring property and filing life insurance claims.
Short-Form vs. Long-Form Death Certificates
In Florida, there are two common types of death certificates:
Short-Form (Without Cause of Death or SSN)
- Most commonly used
- Typically accepted by banks, utilities, credit cards, title companies, and most government agencies
- Often preferred when families want to keep medical details private
Long-Form (With Cause of Death and SSN)
- Includes the full medical cause of death
- Required by certain institutions, such as:
- Life insurance companies
- Annuity providers
- Some pension plans
- May also be needed for international use
When in doubt, having one or two long-form copies in addition to short-form copies is often a good idea.
How Many Copies Should I Order?
Here are some of the most common uses for certified death certificates:
- Claiming life insurance or annuities
- Accessing or closing bank accounts
- Transferring vehicle or real estate titles
- Notifying Social Security or Veterans Affairs
- Settling retirement plans or pensions
- Filing final tax returns
Most families find that 6 to 10 copies is a comfortable starting point — but every situation is unique.
You Don’t Need to Get It Perfect Upfront
We understand that it can be hard to know how many certified copies you’ll need right away. That’s why at Clearview, we make it easy to request more death certificates later, even weeks or months after the service.
If you realize you need additional copies down the road, simply call or text us — in most cases, we can provide additional certified death certificates within 24 hours.
We’re Here to Help
At Clearview Cremation, we know how important it is to handle your loved one’s affairs smoothly and with care. If you have questions about death certificates — or anything else — we’re just a phone call or text away.
Let us take care of the details so you can focus on what matters most.
