Home › Arkansas › How-To Guide
Arkansas · How-To Guide

How do I get a copy of a death certificate?

Arkansas Department of Health, Vital Records Division (state level)
Step by Step

How to do it

  1. Determine eligibility: Arkansas death records less than 50 years old are restricted. Eligible requesters include immediate family members, legal representatives, funeral directors, and those with a documented legal interest. Records 50+ years old are public.
  2. Choose your method:
  3. ONLINE: Order through the Arkansas Department of Health Vital Records portal at healthy.arkansas.gov/vital-records - additional processing fees apply ($5 processing + $1.85 identity verification)
  4. BY MAIL: Complete the request form, include copy of photo ID and payment (check or money order payable to Arkansas Department of Health); mail to: Arkansas Department of Health, Vital Records, Slot 44, 4815 West Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72205; allow 10-14 business days plus delivery
  5. WALK-IN: Visit the Arkansas Department of Health Vital Records office at 4815 West Markham St., Little Rock, AR 72205; Mon-Fri 8:00 AM-4:30 PM; most certificates issued same day
  6. VitalChek: Expedited online ordering through vitalchek.com - additional fees apply
  7. Submit completed application with valid government-issued photo ID and proof of relationship or legal interest
  8. Pay the fee
  9. Receive certificate
Details

What you need to know

Required Docs
  • Completed death certificate request form
  • Copy of valid government-issued photo ID
  • Proof of relationship or legal interest (for records less than 50 years old)
  • Payment (check or money order for mail - no cash, no temporary checks; card for walk-in/online)
Fee
$10 first certified copy; $8 each additional copy of same record ordered at same time; $10 non-refundable search fee if no record found; online orders add $5 processing + $1.85 identity verification fee
Processing Time
Walk-in same day (most records); mail 10-14 business days plus delivery; VitalChek expedited available
Online Option
Yes - healthy.arkansas.gov/vital-records or vitalchek.com
Where to Go
Arkansas Department of Health, Vital Records, 4815 West Markham St., Little Rock, AR 72205 (walk-in); or by mail/online
Arkansas Notes

Important state-specific details

  • Arkansas death records become public 50 years after the date of death.
  • Records maintained from 1914 statewide; limited records from 1881 (Little Rock and Fort Smith only).
  • Order multiple certified copies at once - estates, insurance companies, banks, and employers each need a certified copy; most families need 6-10 copies.
  • Funeral homes typically assist with initial death certificate filing - contact them first for recent deaths.
  • The $10 search fee is non-refundable even if no record is found.
  • No cash for mail orders - check or money order only.
Official Source

State office contact

State Office
Arkansas Department of Health, Vital Records Division - healthy.arkansas.gov/vital-records | (501) 661-2336 | Slot 44, 4815 West Markham St., Little Rock, AR 72205