Death Records Investigation: How to View Death Certificates Online

Finding a death certificate can be frustrating. You might have called county offices, filled out forms, and waited weeks for no response. Maybe you even traveled far to find the records, only to learn they don’t exist.

It’s even more frustrating when you need the certificate quickly. Whether you’re settling an estate or learning about your ancestors, waiting months can take its toll. Government offices are busier than ever, making it harder to get a death certificate the old-fashioned way.

Luckily, you can find death records online easily, and we’ve prepared a guide to help you get started.

» Explore an extensive database of death records

Death records and their importance

Death records form the underlying foundation of genealogy research, providing essential details about the ancestors in your family tree. They reveal much more than just dates. You can find out where your ancestors lived when they died, their cause of death, their spouse’s name, burial location, veteran status, and sometimes even their parents’ names.

Let me share how these records helped verify a piece of my family history. My maternal grandfather’s uncle, Thomas Smelcer, was a 23-year-old man who worked hard during harvest time. According to family lore, he traveled extensively as a field worker in the Midwest until he was struck with pulmonary tuberculosis.

This story remained family oral history until I discovered his death record. The document revealed that Tom had ended up in Maricopa County, AZ, where he died in 1914 at St. Luke’s Hospital, a sanatorium known for treating tuberculosis patients. The certificate not only verified the cause of death, date, and location — it transformed a piece of family lore into documented fact.

» Learn to fix inconsistencies in your family tree

4 types of death records and how to access them

1. Civil death records

Civil death records are official government certificates. Inside, you can find:

• Date of passing
• Age
• Residence
• Cause of death
• Burial location
• Veteran status
• Spouse name
• Names of the deceased person’s parents (occasionally)

Many state governments like to digitize and index their old death records. For example, you can access a collection dating 1910-1973 in Missouri by visiting their Secretary of State’s website. [1] You can also look through the MyHeritage database by entering your ancestor’s first name, last name, residence, and date of birth and death. You can even check a box to have your search terms matched exactly or allow it to consider similar information.

» Learn how to research in an archive

Missouri Secretary of State Website

2. Obituaries

Obituaries are newspaper articles where you can learn details about your ancestors. You can often find all of the information a death certificate has, plus the names of children, husbands, grandchildren, and church affiliation. Sometimes, you even get to see interesting stories which speak to their life and character.

While newspapers used to be found only on microfilm in county libraries, nowadays, they are increasingly available through digital platforms. For example, MyHeritage’s OldNews.com has digitized many historical newspapers and made them searchable online. You can look for a person using their name, important dates, or other keywords related to their life.

Once you find a relevant article, you can view it in detail. The platform offers zoomed-in thumbnails of articles so you can read the content clearly. The tool is subscription-based, and you can try it out for 7 days free of charge.

3. Probate records and wills

Probate records and wills are legal documents that detail how the deceased distributed their property among their heirs. You can use them to verify where your ancestors lived and identify their spouses and children. Sometimes, third-party notes in these documents can reveal additional locations where your ancestor resided.

Many states and counties have their probate court websites where you can search for these records. Start by identifying the county where the decedent lived and visit that court’s website. Look for a “probate records search” or “case search” feature.

If you’re researching ancestors from overseas, different countries maintain their systems. For probate records in England and Wales, visit the GOV.UK site to search for documents and wills. You can order copies of probate records online for a fee. Similarly, the Supreme Court of Victoria in Australia has an online database for applications for probate grants filed since 1970.

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4. Coroner’s reports

You may find coroner’s or medical examiner’s reports if your ancestor died as the result of a homicide, suicide, or accident. While these documents detail the cause of death, they typically contain limited personal information beyond basic identifying details.

Access to these records varies by location. For example, in Humboldt County, California, you can request autopsy and toxicology reports through the county’s Public Records Request Portal. [2] The Coroner’s Office provides guidelines on required information and associated costs, though be prepared for potential delays as these reports take time to compile.

Some jurisdictions offer easier access. In British Columbia, Canada, you can obtain a coroner’s report online at no cost if you can show a valid interest in its findings. [3] But, if the investigation is still ongoing, report completion times may vary significantly.

» Find out how to use the international classification of diseases for research

How to narrow down your search results

Narrowing search results comes down to one factor: more details. Let’s say you’re looking for John Smith. You’ll find him faster if you know the exact date and location where he died. You may do even better if you know his middle name and include it in your search query.

Even with these details in hand, be mindful of any nicknames or surname spelling variations. “James” can often be “Jim,” and indexes are often full of misheard or misread pronunciations. After a while, you’ll get a sense of common variations, but you can also enter a partial name if you still can’t find your ancestor.

» Explore the naming conventions around the globe

Cross-referencing for accuracy

Once you locate potential records, you should always verify that the details match what you’ve found. Many places had people with similar names and of similar ages, so it’s possible to get one person’s records confused with another. To prevent this mistake, cross-reference facts from multiple sources.

As you research, document every detail and its source, writing information exactly as it appears. This careful record-keeping supports the cross-referencing process and helps you evaluate each piece of information in context with other discoveries.

When assessing sources, remember that primary records created closest to an event are typically the most reliable. For example, while a death date is usually accurate, a person’s birth date might be more reliable when found on their birth certificate. When facing discrepancies, trust the record created nearest to the actual event for that specific information.

Note: While thoroughness in verification is important, outright forgery is extremely rare. In over 20 years of genealogy research, I have never encountered a fake genealogical document.

» Learn to use the periodical search index to cross-reference information

Paid vs. free: Which online resources are better?

Both free and paid online databases are valuable tools in my research. While subscription-based platforms often offer transcribed documents for easier searching, free databases sometimes contain unique records not found elsewhere. Though these free platforms typically provide untranscribed documents that can be harder to search, they can reveal key details that help you conduct more targeted searches on paid platforms.

To get the most value from any paid platform subscription, plan your research strategy. Knowing what, who, and where you want to research helps you perform the most accurate and in-depth investigation possible.

No more paper trails

Getting death certificates online has become a convenient and efficient alternative to traditional methods. By understanding the available resources and following the necessary steps, individuals can quickly access vital records without the need for extensive research or in-person visits.

While online searches are often successful, it’s essential to be prepared for potential challenges. Some records may not be digitized, and certain websites might require fees or specific information. By being patient, persistent, and informed, you can successfully find death certificates online and gain valuable insights into your family history.

» Look for your ancestor online using an extensive death record database