Death-certificate fee in District of Columbia: $18 per certified copy
The DC Health, Vital Records Division sets the fee and process below. Confirm current details on the office page before you order.
deathcertcost.us provides informational summaries of state vital-records office fees and processes. Fees and timelines change; verify with your state's vital-records office before relying. Not affiliated with any state agency or VitalChek.
Fee per certified copy
$18
The District of Columbia vital-records office charges $18 for the first certified copy.
Standard processing time
Varies
The office does not publish a standard timeline. It usually depends on how you order — in person is typically fastest, mail is slowest. Confirm current timing with the office.
Ask the office whether an expedited option is available.
Copies typically needed
Each institution that handles the estate usually wants its own certified copy. The most common are:
- Bank & financial accounts
- Life-insurance death-benefit claim
- Probate court estate filing
- Pension, retirement & brokerage accounts
How to order
$18 per certified copy; same fee for additional copies (verified against DC Health fee schedule). Checks payable to DC Treasurer; cash not accepted.
Visit District of Columbia Vital RecordsThis links to the official District of Columbia office — not an aggregator or paid service.
Professional review in progress. How we check these figures is described on our methodology page.