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How do I apply for a death certificate?

If someone you know passed away in Ontario, you can apply for a death certificate any time after the death is registered.

You may need a death certificate in order to make arrangements regarding the person's posessions, accounts or other matters.

To apply, you will need details including:

• The first and last name of the person who died,
• Their sex,
• Date of death and the name of town or city where they died.

You may also need information about their parents, spouse or common-law partner.

Who can apply?

Anyone can apply for a death certificate. This provides basic information such as name, date and place of death. 

Only the next of kin can apply for a certified death certificate. A certified death certificate is a certified copy of the original death registration. The certified death certificate contains all registered information and signatures.

How do I apply?

You can apply in any of the following ways:

• Online: Fill out the online application form and pay the fee with your credit card
• In person: To find the Service Ontario centre closest to you that handles death certificates, please call 1-800-461-2156
• By mail or fax:  Download and complete the application form [PDF]. The fee can be paid in the form of a cheque or a money order made out to the Ministry of Finance. You can mail the form and the fee to:
  
  The Office of the Registrar General
  PO Box 4600
  189 Red River Road
  Thunder Bay
  P7B 6L8
  
  You can also fax the completed application form to 1-807-343-7459. You will need to fill out credit card details on the application.

The cost of ordering a death certificate is listed on the Service Ontario website. Death certificates are normally processed within 15 days if you apply online, or it can take between 6 - 8 weeks if you apply in person, by mail or by fax.  If you would like to receive the certificate within 5 business days, you can pay an additional fee for premium service.

For More Information

• What to do when someone dies: Answers to common questions about what to do, and what support is available, when a loved one dies in Ontario. From Service Ontario.
  
• If a loved one dies outside of Canada: Who to contact when a loved one dies outside of Canada. From Service Ontario.
  
• Online Status Inquiry: To check the status of your submitted application. From Service Ontario.

This article contains information from Service Ontario.