How to Find Nevada Death Records

Are Death Certificates Public Records in Nevada?

Yes. However, pursuant to NRS440.650 and NAC 440.070, an applicant must establish a direct relationship by blood or marriage, a legal relationship, or a need to facilitate a legal process to receive a certified copy of a death certificate. The following persons are eligible to obtain a Nevada death certificate:

The current spouse or domestic partner of the person named on the record - applicant must be listed as the surviving spouse
The parents of the person named on the record - applicant must be listed on the certificate
The grandparents of the person named on the record (respective child on the certificate) - the birth certificate of the applicant's child is required
The child of the person named on the record - the applicant's birth certificate is required
The brother or sister of the person named on the record - the applicant's birth certificate is required
The grandchild of the person named on the record (respective parent on the certificate) - applicant's birth certificate required.
Attorneys - An affidavit established by the Office of Vital Records, a request on company letterhead, and a company check are required.
Public guardians - a court order establishing public guardianship and a county or federal payment method are required.
Public administrators or probate officials - proof of employment as a public administrator or probate official, a request on a letterhead, and a county or federal payment method are required.
Estate executors or personal representatives - letter of administration, court order, or other documents naming the applicant as the estate's executor or personal representative are required
Donor networks - a disclosure for the donation and a company check are required.
Adoptive parents - applicant must be listed on the certificate
Adoptive child - applicant's birth certificate is required
Anyone who has obtained a power of attorney- court-ordered power of attorney or power of attorney allowing to assist in all matters is required
Former spouse, children, or other beneficiaries - proof of legal need such as insurance policy or if the SSA benefits.

What Shows Up on Death Records in Nevada?

A Nevada death record is the official documentation of the date of death and other important personal information about a decedent and the circumstances and causes of an individual's death. It is categorized along with other Nevada vital records like marriage, divorce, and birth records. Death records are required to issue a death certificate. A death certificate is the source for state and federal mortality statistics and can be used to:

Determine which medical conditions receive research and development funding
Set public health goals
Measure health status at local, state, federal, and international levels

A death certificate is also required in settling estates, obtaining pension benefits, claiming life insurance, and conducting a funeral. Statewide registration of death began in Nevada in 1911. A Nevada death certificate contains:

The decedent's name
The decedent's place of death
The decedent's age
The decedent's occupation or kind of business
The decedent's usual residence
The cause of death
The decedent's marital status
The decedent's sex
The decedent’s date of birth
The decedent's birthplace
The decedent’s father’s name
The decedent's mother's maiden name
The name of the decedent's spouse
The decedent's color or race

How are Death Records Created in Nevada?

Death records are registered in Nevada through the Department of Public and Behavioral Health’s (DPBH) Electronic Death Registry System (EDRS). Prior to the activation of the EDRS, death records were filed in paper format. The EDRS uses a platform called the Vital Records System (VRS) to register death records. The system is in use by physicians, coroners, facility administrators, funeral directors, hospice administrators, Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs), and others to file death records.

To use the Nevada EDRS, an application and confidentiality agreement must be completed and sent to the Office of Vital Records. The Office will then create a username and password and send an email to the applicant containing the access credentials and system download instructions.

Registration of the occurrence of death is required before a death certificate can be issued. Without a death certificate, the State of Nevada will not issue a burial permit.

How to Find Death Records Online in Nevada?

Per NRS 440.070, Nevada death records are not public records and are not available to members of the public. Hence, requesters cannot look up death records online. Also, the state Office of Vital Records does not accept online orders even for eligible persons seeking to obtain death records. However, the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH) has partnered with a third-party vendor to process online requests for persons interested in obtaining a death record.

According to the stipulated procedure, a requester must submit photo identification to the independent vendor in order to protect the requested record and the person named on the record. The vendor charges an additional fee for using their service and accepts all major credit cards including American Express, Discover, MasterCard, or Visa.

The Nevada DPBH has authorized only one vendor to process online orders for death records. Individuals who have ordered through other third-party companies but would like to file a consumer complaint may call the State of Nevada Attorney General Bureau of Consumer Protection (BCP) at (702) 486-3132 or toll-free at (888) 434-9989. Further inquiries may be made by visiting the BCP website.

Considered open to citizens of the United States, public records are available through both traditional government sources and third-party websites and organizations. In many cases, third-party websites make the search easier as they are not limited geographically or by technological limitations. They are a good place to start when looking for specific or multiple records. To gain access to these records, interested parties must typically provide:

The name of the person listed in the record. Juveniles are typically exempt from this search method.
The last known or assumed location of the person listed in the record. This includes cities, counties, and states.

While third-party sites offer such services, they are not government-sponsored entities and record availability may vary on these sites when compared to government sources.

Death Record Search by Name in Nevada

Interested members of the public may perform a death record search by name using the US death registry or third-party operated index. To use a death index, the inquirer will be required to provide the deceased’s full name as well as their date and place of death.

However, there are no government-owned repositories in Nevada that offer remote access to death records or provide the option for a death record search by name. Rather, requesters seeking these records from the government may complete the official death record request form, listing the deceased's full name and relevant information.

Death Record Search by Address

There are no government repositories that require the address of a deceased individual to facilitate a death record search. However, if curious about a death that may have occurred at a specific address, the inquirer can query the local police department of the jurisdiction to request the information.

How to Find Death Records for Free in Nevada?

Nevada death records can be obtained at the state Office of Vital Records in person or by mail. However, obtaining a death record costs a fee. Certified copies of Nevada death records are not available for free. Verification of a death record is available to an applicant, providing sufficient information to search for the record along with proper identification. An applicant must present a document from the primary list of acceptable identification to establish identity and prove eligibility. All documents must have a photo and be valid to be considered a primary document. The Nevada DPBH closely examines all documents submitted. If there is reason to doubt the validity of any submitted document, it will be rejected.

The primary list comprises:

Alien Registration or Permanent Resident Card (Form I-151 or I-551)
Department of Corrections Identification Card (Must be issued by a U.S. State, Territory, County, City, or the Federal Bureau of Prisons)
Employment Authorization Card (Form I-766)
Foreign Passport (Document may be verified with the embassy, consulate, or with the INS)
Job Corps Identification Card (Must be issued by U.S. Department of Labor and must be current)
Pilot License (Issued by the FAA and must be valid if it has an expiration date)
School, University, or College Identification Card (Must be issued by a U.S. school system. It must contain a photo for the current school year)
Temporary Resident Card (Form I-688, I-688A, or I-688B)
Tribal Identification Card (Must be issued by a federally recognized Native American Tribe)
U.S B1 / B2 Visa (Must be accompanied by a valid I-94 card)
U.S. Certificate of Citizenship (Form N-560 or N-561)
U.S. Certificate of Naturalization (Form N-550 or N-570)
U.S. Citizen Identification Card (Form I-197)
U.S. Military Identification Card (Active duty, dependent, retired, reserve, and National Guard)
U.S. Passport (Must be issued by the U.S. Department of State)
U.S. State or Territory Issued Driver’s License (Must be valid)
U.S. State or Territory Issued Identification Card (Must be valid and issued by a State DMV)
Weapon or Gun Permit (Must be issued by a U.S. local, state, or federal government and must be valid)

The Nevada DPBH will accept two documents from the secondary list if a requester cannot present any of the documents listed in the primary list. The secondary list comprises:

Birth Certificate of Applicant (Must be a certified original of a birth certificate from a U.S. State or Territory)
Consular Identification Card (Must be validated in the “I.D. Checking Guide”)
Court Order of Adoption (Must be issued by a court of competent jurisdiction from the U.S. The court order must be certified)
DD-214 Military Discharge Paperwork (This is military discharge paperwork)
Divorce Decree (Must be issued by a court of competent jurisdiction from the U.S. The court order must be certified)
Government Issued Work Identification Card (Federal, State, or County)
Hunting or Fishing License from a U.S. State or Territory (Must be issued by the Department of Wildlife. This document must be valid)
Marriage License (Must be issued by a court of competent jurisdiction from the U.S. The court order must be certified)
Medicaid Card (Must be issued by the U.S. Social Security Administration or a U.S. State)
Mexican Voter Registration Card (Must be issued by the Mexican federal government and must be valid)
Motor Vehicle Registration or Title (Must be issued by a U.S. State or Territory)
Probation or Parole Documents (Must be issued by a county, state, or federal department of corrections)
Property Tax Receipt (Must be issued within the past year)
Selective Service Card (Must be issued by the U.S. Selective Service)
Social Security Card (Must be issued by the U.S. Social Security Administration)
Social Services Card (Must be issued by U.S. State or Territory)
Voter Registration Card (Must be issued by a U.S. state)
Work Identification, Pay Stub, or W-2 (Work identification must contain the first and last name of the applicant along with the company name. The company must be willing to verify employment. Pay stubs must have been issued in the previous (6) six months and include the applicant's first and last name, company name, and address. The W-2 must have been issued within the previous year)

How to Obtain Nevada Death Records in Person?

To obtain a Nevada death record in person, visit any of the state Vital Records Office locations at:

Carson City
State of Nevada
Department of Health and Human Services
Division of Public and Behavioral Health
Office of Vital Records
4150 Technology Way, Suite 104
Carson City, NV 89706
Office Phone: (775) 684-4242
EDRS Help Desk Phone: (775) 684-4166
Fax: (775) 684-4156
Email: vitalrecords@health.nv.gov

Las Vegas
Southern Nevada Health District (Clark County Only)
280 S. Decatur Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89107
Office Phone: (702) 759-1010
Fax: (702) 759-1421
Email: vitalrecords@snhdmail.org

Reno
Washoe County Health District (Washoe County Only)
1001 E. Ninth Street
Building B, First Floor
Reno, NV 89512
Office Phone: (775) 328-2456

The Application for a Certified Copy of Death Certificate or Verification Form can be printed online or obtained from any of the listed locations. A request for a death record must include a completed form, appropriate fee, and valid identification. Note that in an effort to mitigate the possible spread of COVID-19:00 a.m.ong state workers, their families, and the general public, the Vital Records Office has temporarily suspended walk-in services till further notice.

How to Obtain Nevada Death Records by Mail?

To order a Nevada birth record by mail, a qualified applicant must:

Complete the Application for a Certified Copy of Death Certificate or Verification Form
Include valid identification
Include a check or money order for the appropriate fee made payable to the "Office of Vital Records"
Mail the completed form, identification, and the check or money order to:

Office of Vital Records
4150 Technology Way, Suite 104
Carson City, NV 89706
Phone: (775) 684-4242
Fax: (775) 684-4156

How to Obtain Death Records in Nevada

The Nevada Office of Vital Records in the Department of Public and Behavioral Health maintains death records and issues death certificates for the records filed in the State of Nevada from July 1, 1911, to the present. To obtain a certificate for a death that occurred before 1911, visit the county recorder's office in the county where the event occurred. Note that death records are confidential and death certificates can only be issued to eligible persons.

How Much Does a Death Certificate Cost in Nevada?

Nevada allows requesters to verify the existence of a record with the state for a fee of $10 per search or verification. Note that this does not include the fee for one certified copy of a death record. A certified copy of a death certificate costs $25 in Carson, Clark, Douglas, Lyon, Mineral, and Washoe Counties. In all other counties in Nevada, a certified copy of a death certificate costs $22. Cash is accepted for in-person orders while checks and money orders are accepted for mail orders. Additional fees are charged for online orders as service and processing fees.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Death Certificate in Nevada?

Death certificates can be obtained on the same day of requests when orders are placed in person. The estimated processing time for mail orders is 4-6 weeks. Online orders are processed in 2-4 business days.

How Long to Keep Records After Death?

When a person dies, unpaid bills, taxes, and assets may be left behind. To access certain benefits or offset bills, family members or legal representatives of the deceased may be required to hold on to some records for many years. Records such as marriage licenses, birth certificates, wills, adoption papers, death certificates, and records of paid mortgages should be kept permanently. The following records should be kept while active:

Contracts
Insurance documents
Stock certificate
Property records
Records of pension and retirement plans

Records that should be kept for at least 1 year are:

Paycheck stubs
Utility bills
Canceled checks
Bank statements

Tax records and other financial records must be kept for at least 7 years. Medical records should be held on to for 10 years.

How to Expunge Death Records in Nevada?

Expungement refers to the process of removing public access from a document. It is usually ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction. When an expunged record has not been physically destroyed, it can only be accessed in limited circumstances by law enforcement agencies or upon court order. An expungement allows the subject of the sealed record to be viewed or related to without the stain or the consequences of the event stated on the expunged record

How to Seal Death Records in Nevada?

Nevada makes no provisions for death records to be sealed or expunged in the state.

How to Unseal Death Records in Nevada?

Although Nevada death records are closed records, such records are not sealed by court order and can be obtained by eligible persons. Nevada death records cannot be sealed and hence no statutes were established to provide for unsealing death records in the state.

How to Use the Nevada Death Registry

Nevada death record information can be accessed through the state vital records office. However, the state does not operate a dedicated death registry or index like some US states do. Alternative to the vital records office, inquirers may access death record information through the CDC-operated US death registry.