How to Find Utah Death Records
The earliest Utah statewide deaths began in 1897, with Salt Lake City recording deaths as early as 1848. Statewide registration didn't begin until 1905, and was generally complied with by 1919. The counties have copies of these records.
Next Step: When did the death occur? [edit | edit source] |
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Deaths before 1897[edit | edit source]
- In 1896, Utah was created a state from the Territory of Utah.
- Before 1896, no deaths were recorded by the county or state. You must search substitute records to locate your ancestor’s death date and place.
| Early Salt Lake City, Utah Deaths Databases - Includes Index and some Digital Images | ||||
| Try 1st: | ||||
| 1888-1964 Utah Deaths and Burials | Free online at FamilySearch.org: 1888-1964; includes name index and images of Salt Lake burial records prior to 1897 | |||
| Try 2nd: | ||||
| 1847-1966 Utah Death Registers | ($) Ancestry.com free at family history centers: 1848-1933; index and images of Salt Lake City interment records | |||
| Try 3rd: | ||||
| 1848-1960 Utah Deaths & Burials | ($) Findmypast.com: 1848-1946; includes name index and images of Salt Lake burial records prior to 1897 | |||
| Records that give death information: | ||
Deaths from 1898 thru 1962[edit | edit source]
- The earliest Utah statewide deaths began in 1897, with Salt Lake City recording deaths as early as 1848.
- Statewide registration didn't begin until 1905, and was generally complied with by 1919. The counties have copies of these records.
If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases below try searching for death information in other records.
For deaths that exist during the time period, try the following databases. Try each link.
| Utah Deaths Databases - Includes Index and some Digital Images | ||||
| Try 1st: | ||||
| 1905-1965 Utah Death Certificates | Free online at Utah Archives: 1905-1965; includes name index and images of death certificates. | |||
| Try 2nd: | ||||
| 1904-1964 Utah Death Certificates | Free online at FamilySearch.org: 1904-1964; name index and images of Utah statewide death certificates. Also on MyHeritage.com. | |||
| Try 3rd: | ||||
| 1888-1946 Utah Deaths and Burials | Free online at FamilySearch.org: 1888-1946; name index to death and burial records from the state of Utah. Due to privacy laws, recent records may not be displayed. The year range represents most of the records. A few records may be earlier or later. Also on MyHeritage.com. | |||
| Try 4th: | ||||
| 1904-1961 Utah, Death and Military Certificates | Ancestry.com free at family history centers; 1904-1961; name index to death certificates and military death certificates for soldiers who died in WWII and the Korean War. | |||
| If these databases don't work, try: | ||||
| United States Social Security Death Index at FamilySearch.org | Free; Index to the Social Security Death Index for the United States | |||
| U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014 | ($) Free at family history centers. Index to the Social Security Death Index for the United States | |||
| U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 | ($) Free at family history centers. Incomplete | |||
| Can't find your ancestor in the online index? | Tips for searching online indexes | |||
| No death record for your ancestor? | Other records with death information | |||
Deaths after 1963 to the present[edit | edit source]
PART A: You know the exact date of death
With an exact date (from your records), you can order a copy of the death record for a fee from the following locations:
| To Order Death Certificates | |||
| From County of Death | From UT Dept. of Health State office | ||
| Pros | Cons | Pros | Cons |
| May be less expensive and faster than ordering from the state | County websites can be more difficult to use | Offers a search of the state index for an additional fee | May be more expensive than ordering from the county |
For information about Utah state death records, contact:
Utah State Department of Health
288 North 1460 West Street
Salt Lake City, UT 84114
Telephone: 801-538-6105
See list of restrictions for ordering death records
If you do not want to order the death record, you can search other records with death information.
PART B: You don't know the exact date of death
| Try: | ||||
| Social Security Death Index (SSDI) | ||||
| 1936 to present at Genealogy Bank | Free; most current version; few records before 1962; gives place where the last benefit was sent | |||
| Or try: | ||||
| SSDI at FamilySearch Historical Records | Free | |||
| Or try: | ||||
| U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014 at Ancestry.com | Subscription required, can use for free at FamilySearch Centers. | |||
| Or try: | ||||
| Order a 3 year search from UT Dept. of Health Office | ($); Certificates for deaths that occurred in Utah since 1905. Use this form to order a certificate. | |||
| Don't want to order the death record? | Search other records with death information | |||
Restrictions for Obtaining Death Records[edit | edit source]
Restrictions on who can obtain records for persons who died within the last 50 years:
To obtain a copy of the death certificate for those who died within the last 50 years, you must be:
- The parent or grandparent of the person on the certificate
- The spouse of the person on the certificate
- The child or grandchild of the person on the certificate
- The sibling of the person on the certificate
- Funeral director
- Anyone who has legal interest in the certificate
- NOTE: A copy of the death record cannot be obtained by anyone except those listed above until 50 years have passed from the date of the death.
If you do not want to order the death record, you can search other records with death information.
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