Death Certificates
Last verified: January 1, 2025
Source: T.C.A. 68-3-502 (Tennessee Vital Records) ↗At a Glance
after death
confidential
copy fee
File within 5 days · Restricted for 25 years · Then public
The 5-day rule.
In Tennessee, a death certificate must be filed within 5 days of death and before the body is buried or cremated. The funeral director prepares the certificate; the attending physician certifies the cause of death. (T.C.A. 68-3-502)
Order at least 10 certified copies. Banks, insurance companies, and government agencies all require originals.
Who files it.
The funeral director or person in charge of final disposition files the death certificate with the local registrar. The attending physician must complete the medical certification within 24 hours of being notified.
Who can order copies.
Immediate family members, legal representatives, and persons with a direct and tangible interest can order certified copies.
- –Tennessee Department of Health Vital Records: tn.gov/health/vital-records
- –Cost: $15 per certified copy
- –Expedited service available through VitalChek
How do I get a death certificate in Tennessee?
Order certified copies from Tennessee's vital records office; this section's source link is the official process. The funeral home or cremation provider usually orders the first copies for you. Order at least 10: banks, insurers, and agencies each want their own certified copy.
How much does a death certificate cost in Tennessee?
$15 per certified copy in Tennessee, as shown above. Additional-copy pricing varies; the official source linked in this section has the current fee schedule.
Need Help in Tennessee?
Some of this requires a Tennessee attorney.
Wills, trusts, advance directives, and probate all benefit from a licensed professional. We have compiled a directory of funeral directors, grief counselors, hospice providers, and financial advisors. Sorted by state. Before a listing appears, we check the provider's phone and address against the provider's own website.
Find Help in Tennessee →From The MORTL Edit
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12 min read →Sources: Tennessee Code Annotated (via the Tennessee General Assembly's official LexisNexis portal), Tennessee Health Facilities Commission (tn.gov/hfc), Tennessee Department of Health (tn.gov/health), Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance funeral board. This guide is reviewed periodically and updated when laws change. Last full review: June 2026.