Pricing and Costs of Death Records Search

Conducting a death records search may not be as expensive as you think

People delve into the past to find a death record for many reasons. Many want to reconstruct their family tree and public death records are a great way to get started. Others want proof of a death record for settling legal claims. Whatever the reason, you can access free death records online or find death notices along with other background information for a small fee.

There are many ways to conduct an online death records search -- all you need is some basic information about the person. Depending on how much or little information you have about the person in question, you can begin your search to find death notices one of three ways. Below are three suggestions for conducting a death record search and finding out the pricing and costs of death records search:

1. Search for a Social Security death record if the person in question died after 1935.

2. Search death certificates by state if you know where the person died.

3. Conduct a death records search by first and/or last name.

 

Search for public death records according to Social Security number

Anyone born in the U.S., or who was a U.S. citizen after 1935, receives a Social Security number (SSN). When searching by SSN, be aware that prior to 1962 information obtained by the Social Security Administration (SSA) was not automated. This means if the person died before 1962, the only way their name would be listed is if their death was reported to the SSA after 1962.
Try: RootsWeb and Family Tree Legends are great sites to conduct a Social Security Death Index (SSDI) search. While the SSDI search is free, to take advantage of other features on these sites usually involves payment of a membership fees of approximately $15 per month.

Search for public death records according to state

Each state keeps records of those individuals who died there. Most sites allow you to search for death information such as date of death and last place of residence for free. If you need a copy of an official death record, however, the cost is approximately $50. It is important to keep in mind that many states did not keep accurate vital records, which included birth, death and marriage certificates, until the early 1900s.
Try: PublicRecordsNow allows you to search by state as well as by name. Ancestry, which is part of The Generations Network, will get you a copy of an official death certificate for $47. You must provide the county and city of death.

Conduct a death records search according to the name of the person in question

If you don't have a lot of information about a person other than a first and/or last name, do not be discouraged. A death records search can begin with this small amount of information. The price for these services varies -- many sites will charge you less to join for a year than for a month, and will give you access to more than just death records.
Try: USA People Search will provide conduct a death record search for $19.95. Pay a bit more and you can also get marriage, birth and other vital records information. Death-Search allows you to search for information on five distinct individuals for less than $20.

 

• When sifting through public death records online, you can increase your results by limiting your search criteria. Conversely, when looking for someone with a common name, try and include as much information as possible to help narrow your search.

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