Death Certificates

Death Certificates within the past 6 months in Deschutes County

Death Certificates can be ordered by eligible persons (see eligible persons list below) at Deschutes County Health Services for all deaths that occurred in Deschutes County within the past 6 months. Requests may be made in person or by mail. The fee for each certified copy is $25. To order a death certificate:

1. Fill out the Death Record Order Form (English) (Spanish). 
2. Mail or bring in your completed order form, a copy of your current photo ID and payment to:   2577 NE Courtney Drive, Bend, OR 97701.
3. If the record is registered with the state and ready to issue, the county will process the order in 3 business days (excluding weekends and holidays).
4. Please let us know if you want the certificates mailed to you or if you would prefer to pick the order up at our office counter.

Short-form death certificates are used for proof of death, contain demographic information, and are used for:​

• Bank accounts
• Property transfers
• Title companies
• Claims or interest in land
• DMV (Dept of Motor Vehicles) for titles of vehicles, RVs, boats
• Social Security survivor benefits

Long-form death certificates are used for proof of death, contain demographic information, cause of death and medical information, and are used for:

• Genealogy or family history purposes
• Insurance benefit claims (where cause/manner of death can change the benefit)

The long form contains medical information protected by federal HIPAA laws.

Eligible Persons

Oregon is a closed record state.  Access to death records is restricted for 50 years following the date of death. These people are eligible to order certificates:

• Current spouse
• Parent
• Child (over 18 years of age)
• Grandparent (short form only unless additional documentation provided to support ordering a long form)
• Grandchild (short form only unless additional documentation provided to support ordering a long form)
• Sibling (can order short form only unless additional documentation provided to support ordering a long form)
• Domestic partner who is registered by the state
• Legal guardian (with documentation of legal guardianship)
• Next of kin (with notarized document stating they are next of kin)
• Government agency (with documentation and reason for order)
• Legal representative of an immediate family member (with documentation of who they represent and reason for order)
• An agency or person who demonstrates a personal or property right reason for order (short form only)
• Non-eligible person with a notarized permission note from an eligible person
• Companies paying death benefits (long form only)
• Funeral home representative

For reference, see ORS 432.380 (2)(c)(B)(iii).

Orders for Deaths That Occurred More Than 6 Months Ago or Outside of Deschutes County

Death certificates for deaths that occurred in the state of Oregon more than 6 months ago or outside of Deschutes County can be ordered in 1 of these 4 ways:

1. In person by appointment 9:00 am - 3:30 pm Monday through Friday at the State Vital Records Office (971-673-1190) 800 NE Oregon Street, Suite 205, Portland, OR 97232-2187. Nonrefundable $28 fee for 1 record search and $25 for each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time.  Receive the record within 1 hour unless a record problem is discovered.  Ordering in person is limited to immediate family members of the person named on the record. Orders are placed at self-service kiosks. The identity of the applicant will be screened using Social Security number and date of birth. Persons ordering must show valid ID or provide alternative documents.  In some cases, proof of relationship may be required if the person ordering does not share the last name of the person on the record and is not clearly a family member. Payment by credit or debit card, cash, money order, or electronic funds transfer (EFT) of a personal check is accepted.

2. By mail through the State Vital Records Office. Nonrefundable $25 fee for 1 record search and $25 for each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time.  Payment by money order or check. Order forms are available online from the Oregon Health Authority website and also from the Deschutes County Vital Records office (541-322-7498) over the counter, by e-mail, or regular mail.  Allow 3 to 5 weeks for processing and delivery. Rush mail is available if you send a state order form by any overnight delivery service, pay with a money order, and may include prepaid, pre-addressed return envelope. Shipped within 3-5 work days unless a record problem is discovered.

3. Online through www.vitalchek.com or by telephone 1-888-896-4988.  Nonrefundable $36.25 fee.  This fee does not include the cost of shipping the record nor any added expedite fees (if applicable). Payment by credit or debit card only.  Routine order processed in 7-10 business days and delivered by US Postal Service standard mail in 7-10 business days (total 14-20 days).  Expedited order processed in 1-2 business days and delivered by Express Delivery (UPS) overnight is available with additional cost.

4.  Contact the funeral home who took care of the decedent's remains.  They should be able to place an order for you.

Other Death Certificate Information

If you have additional questions regarding death certificates or your order, please contact the Vital Records Clerk at (541) 322-7498 or vitalrecords@deschutes.org.