Cheshire Death Certificates

Cheshire death certificates are maintained by the town clerk at town hall on South Main Street. This New Haven County town of over 30,000 people keeps vital records going back to 1897. If someone died in Cheshire, the town clerk office has the death certificate on file and can issue certified copies. You can get a copy in person, by mail, or through online ordering services. Walk-in requests often get same-day service. Mail requests take a week or two. Online orders through VitalChek offer fast shipping for an extra fee. The clerk staff can search for records by name even if you do not have the exact date of death.

Cheshire Town Clerk Office

The vital records division at Cheshire Town Hall handles all death certificate requests for the town. Walk-in hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The office is on the first floor of town hall with accessible parking and entrance. Staff are available to help you fill out request forms and answer questions about what documents you need.

Town hall is in central Cheshire with parking available. Bus service is limited in Cheshire, so most people drive. Bring your photo ID when you visit. If you need to check if a record is on file before making the trip, call ahead at (203) 271-6690. Staff can search by name and date and tell you if the certificate is available.

How to Get Death Certificates

Three ways to get a Cheshire death certificate exist. Visit the clerk office during business hours. Send a mail request with a completed form and payment. Or order online through VitalChek. Walk-in service is fastest if you live nearby. Mail works if you are not in a rush. Online ordering costs more but gives you tracking and faster delivery options.

For in-person requests, bring a valid photo ID and be ready to provide the full name of the deceased and the date of death. The clerk will look up the record and print a certified copy while you wait. Payment is due at the time of service. Cash, check, and credit cards are accepted at most town offices.

To request by mail, download the Connecticut death certificate request form from the state Department of Public Health website. Fill it out completely with:

• Full name of deceased
• Date of death
• Place of death (Cheshire)
• Your name and address
• Your relationship to deceased
• Why you need the certificate
• Your signature

Include a copy of your photo ID and a money order for $20 per copy. Personal checks are not accepted. Mail everything to the Cheshire Town Clerk at 84 South Main Street, Cheshire, CT 06410. Processing by mail takes one to two weeks. You can call to check on your request if you do not get it within that time.

Online orders go through VitalChek, the only approved third-party vendor for Connecticut vital records. VitalChek adds service fees and shipping charges on top of the $20 certificate cost. You can choose expedited shipping for faster delivery. The site accepts all major credit cards and guides you through the ordering process step by step.

Cost of Death Certificates

One certified death certificate costs $20 in Cheshire. This is the standard Connecticut rate for all towns. Each additional copy also costs $20. You can order as many copies as you need at the same time. It is cheaper and faster to get all the copies you need in one request than to come back later.

Veterans and their family members may get one free death certificate under Connecticut law. The spouse, child, or parent of a deceased veteran can request a free copy if they show proof of their relationship and the veteran status. This is covered in Connecticut General Statutes Section 7-74. You need a valid photo ID and documents like a marriage certificate or birth certificate to prove the relationship. The death certificate itself must show veteran status for the waiver to apply.

Note: Credit card payments may have a small processing fee added by the card processor.

Who Can Request a Death Certificate

Any person 18 years or older can purchase a certified death certificate from Cheshire. You do not need to be related to the deceased. This is set in Connecticut General Statutes Section 7-51a. However, if the death happened after July 1, 1997, only the spouse or next of kin can get a copy with the social security number visible. All other requesters receive a copy with the SSN redacted for privacy protection.

People request death certificates for many reasons:

• Settling estates and probate cases
• Filing life insurance claims
• Closing bank and credit accounts
• Transferring property titles
• Claiming Social Security survivor benefits
• Pension and retirement claims
• Genealogy and family history research

You must state your reason on the request form. Most uses are routine and approved without question. If you are not sure what to write, call the Cheshire town clerk for guidance before you submit your request.

New Haven County Records

Cheshire is in New Haven County. Connecticut does not keep vital records at the county level. Each town maintains its own death certificates. Cheshire only has records for deaths that occurred within town limits. For deaths in nearby towns like Wallingford, Waterbury, or Meriden, you need to contact those towns directly.

For legal matters related to a death in Cheshire, such as probate or estate issues, you may need to work with the local probate court. Cheshire has its own probate court district. Contact the Cheshire Probate Court for help with wills, estates, and guardianship. The town clerk does not handle these legal matters.

State Vital Records Office

The Connecticut State Vital Records Office in Hartford has copies of all Cheshire death certificates from 1897 forward. If you cannot get a record from the Cheshire town clerk, the state office is a backup option. However, the state office can take up to twelve weeks to process requests. Most people find it faster to work directly with the Cheshire clerk office.

State office walk-in hours are very limited. Check the website or call before you go. For mail requests to the state, use a money order payable to "Treasurer, State of Connecticut." The state office does not accept personal checks or credit cards by mail.

Using Death Certificates

A certified death certificate is needed for many legal and financial tasks. Banks require it to close accounts or release funds. Life insurance companies need it before paying claims. Social Security must see it to stop benefits and start survivor payments. Real estate offices use it to transfer property titles. Probate courts need it to open estates and settle wills.

Order multiple copies if you know you will use them at different places. It is faster and cheaper to get five copies at once than to request more later. Each certified copy from Cheshire has full legal standing. A photocopy will not work for most official uses. The certified copy has a raised seal and signature from the town clerk.

Death Records in Nearby Towns

Towns near Cheshire each maintain their own death records. If the person died in Wallingford, Waterbury, Meriden, or Hamden, contact that town's clerk office. Cheshire records only cover deaths within Cheshire town limits. You must request from the town where the death took place.