Arkansas Death Certificate: How to Order, Costs, and What You Need

The death certificate is the document everything else depends on. Banks won't release funds without it. The Social Security Administration won't adjust survivor benefits without it. The Arkansas DFA won't transfer a vehicle without it, and a title company won't insure a real estate transfer without it. Getting this right in the first week after a death matters more than almost anything else you'll do.

Here's exactly how it works in Arkansas.

Who Files the Death Certificate in Arkansas

Under Arkansas Code § 20-18-601, the death certificate must be completely filed with the Division of Vital Records within ten days of the death. You don't file this yourself — the funeral director does.

The process is divided:

• The funeral director is responsible for electronically filing the demographic portion — name, date of birth, Social Security number, address — within three days of the death.
• The attending physician or medical certifier must complete the cause-of-death section and return it to the funeral director within three business days.

Once both sections are complete, the funeral director submits the full certificate to the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH). After registration, you can order certified copies.

If a death occurred under unusual or suspicious circumstances, the county coroner or State Medical Examiner may take over the medical certification, which can delay registration.

How to Order a Certified Death Certificate in Arkansas

The Arkansas Department of Health handles all certified death certificate orders through its Vital Records office. You can order in person, by mail, or online through the ADH Vital Records portal.

Online orders use LexisNexis identity verification — meaning the system cross-references your name, address, and Social Security number against public records databases. If you've recently moved, changed your name, or your records are sparse (common for rural Arkansas residents), the LexisNexis check may fail and your application will shift to manual review, adding days or weeks to processing.

If that happens, don't panic — it's common. The ADH will contact you and request supporting documents. Having your own ID and any relevant records ready speeds this up.

Who can order a death certificate in Arkansas?

Arkansas restricts access to vital records less than 100 years old. Only the following people may order a certified copy:

• The surviving spouse
• A descendant (child, grandchild)
• A parent
• A legal guardian
• A designated attorney
• A government agency with a legitimate need

If you're a sibling or other relative, you'll need to demonstrate your relationship or have a designated administrator request on your behalf.

Arkansas Death Certificate Cost in 2026

The ADH charges the following:

• First certified copy: $10
• Each additional copy ordered at the same time: $8

Online orders also carry a processing fee charged by the third-party portal. If you're ordering through a funeral home, they typically bundle this cost into their service.

If an error appears on a registered certificate, the ADH allows corrections to be made without an additional certificate fee — provided the correction request is submitted within one year of original issuance. After one year, you pay for a new certified copy.

One other important rule: if a death certificate is registered one year or more after the date of death, the ADH permanently marks it "DELAYED." This notation doesn't make the certificate invalid, but it will prompt additional questions from some institutions.

How Many Copies Do You Actually Need?

The most common mistake families make is ordering too few — and then having to re-order later at full price, plus waiting another processing cycle.

Most Arkansas estates require between 6 and 12 certified copies. Here's a working list of who typically requires an original certified copy (not a photocopy):

Photocopies are generally acceptable for utility companies, subscription cancellations, and correspondence with creditors.

If the estate involves real estate in multiple counties or multiple states, plan for additional copies.

What If the Death Certificate Contains an Error?

Errors on death certificates are more common than people expect — misspelled names, wrong dates of birth, incorrect Social Security numbers. When you discover one, contact the funeral director first. If the record has already been registered, the funeral director can submit an amendment to the ADH on your behalf.

If the funeral director is no longer available or the relationship with them has ended, you can submit an amendment directly to the ADH Vital Records office with supporting documentation proving the correct information (birth certificate, Social Security card, prior government records).

Death Certificates and the Estate Settlement Process

A death certificate alone doesn't close accounts or transfer property — it's the key that unlocks those processes, each of which has its own requirements.

For bank accounts, you'll typically also need either Letters of Administration from an Arkansas probate court or a properly completed Small Estate Affidavit. For vehicles, you'll need the death certificate plus DFA Form 10-306 (Affidavit of Inheritance of a Motor Vehicle). For real estate, the specific requirements depend on whether the property was covered by a beneficiary deed or needs to go through formal probate or the small estate process.

If you're managing an Arkansas estate and aren't sure which path applies to your situation — whether the small estate affidavit route is available, or when formal probate is unavoidable — the Arkansas Estate Settlement Guide lays out the complete decision tree with specific thresholds, timelines, and the exact forms required at each stage.

Key Takeaways

• File requests begin with the funeral director — you don't register the certificate yourself
• Order through the ADH Vital Records portal; LexisNexis verification is required
• Cost: $10 for the first copy, $8 for each additional copy ordered together
• Order at least 8–10 certified copies upfront — re-ordering takes time
• Errors can be corrected free within one year of issuance
• Access is restricted to spouses, descendants, parents, guardians, and attorneys

See more Arkansas guides →