Stamford Death Certificates

Stamford death records are handled by the town clerk for all deaths within city limits. As Connecticut's second largest city with about 139,000 residents, Stamford is in Fairfield County near the New York border. The clerk office issues certified death certificates for Stamford deaths from July 1897 forward. You can also get copies from the state, but town processing is much faster, often same-day, while state requests can take up to twelve weeks.

Stamford Town Clerk Office

The Stamford Town Clerk keeps all vital records for events that took place in the city. This includes death records for deaths at homes, hospitals, nursing facilities, and other locations within Stamford. If a Stamford resident died in another Connecticut town, that town's clerk has the record. The clerk also handles birth and marriage certificates for local events.

Walk-in service is available during business hours at the Government Center on Washington Boulevard. Bring a valid photo ID such as a driver's license, passport, or military ID. The clerk can search for records if you provide the full name and date of death. Most walk-in requests are processed the same day if the record is on file. Payment methods include money orders and checks made payable to the City of Stamford. Credit cards may be accepted with an extra processing fee. Call (203) 977-4054 to confirm payment options.

The Government Center is in downtown Stamford. Parking is available in nearby garages and on streets with meters. The building is open to the public during regular hours. If you have questions about what documents you need or how to fill out the request form, the clerk staff can help. Calling ahead can save time if the record requires extra research or is not immediately on file.

Stamford also offers online ordering through VitalChek for added convenience. This option costs more but allows you to place orders 24 hours a day with expedited shipping available.

How to Get a Death Certificate

You can get a Stamford death certificate in person, by mail, or online through VitalChek. Each method has benefits. In person is fastest. Mail works if you cannot visit. Online costs more but offers convenience.

For in-person requests, visit the Government Center Vital Records office at 888 Washington Boulevard during business hours. Fill out the request form at the counter. Provide the name of the deceased, date of death, and your reason for needing the certificate. Show your photo ID and pay the $20 fee. If the record is on file, you can often get the certified copy the same day. This is the quickest way to get a death certificate in Stamford.

To request by mail, download the town death certificate request form from the Connecticut Department of Public Health website at portal.ct.gov. Fill it out completely and include a money order payable to the City of Stamford. Do not send cash or personal checks for vital records. Mail your request to Stamford Town Clerk, 888 Washington Boulevard, Stamford, CT 06901. Processing time varies but is typically within a few business days.

Online ordering is available through VitalChek at vitalchek.com. VitalChek is the only third-party service approved by Connecticut for vital records. The site is open 24 hours a day. You pay the $20 certificate fee plus VitalChek service fees and shipping costs. Expedited shipping is available if you need the record quickly. All major credit cards are accepted. Your order is sent to the town clerk for processing.

Details Required for Your Request

The town clerk needs specific information to find the correct death record. Providing complete and accurate details speeds up the process. Missing or wrong information can cause delays or errors.

Required details include:

• Full name of deceased person
• Date of death
• Place where death occurred
• Parents' names
• Mother's maiden name
• Your relationship to the deceased
• Reason you need the certificate
• Your name and address
• Your signature

If you know the person's date of birth, include it. This helps confirm the clerk has the right record, especially if the name is common. If you only know the year of death, the clerk can still search, but it may take longer. The mother's maiden name is especially useful because many Connecticut records use it for indexing.

For deaths after July 1, 1997, the social security number on the certificate is redacted unless you are the surviving spouse or next of kin. If you need the full record with the social security number, bring proof of your relationship such as a marriage certificate or your own birth certificate. Without proof, you get a certified copy with the social security number blocked out.

When requesting in person, show government-issued photo ID. A driver's license, passport, or military ID works. If you do not have one of those, bring two other forms of ID such as a social security card and a recent utility bill with your name and address. The clerk uses this to verify your identity before releasing records.

Note: Anyone 18 years old or older can request a death certificate in Connecticut.

Connecticut State Vital Records Office

You can also get Stamford death certificates from the state. The Connecticut Department of Public Health State Vital Records Office in Hartford keeps copies of all death records from every town. This is an alternative if you prefer not to contact the town directly.

The state office is at 410 Capitol Avenue, MS#11VRS, Hartford, CT 06106. Call (860) 509-7700 for questions about death certificates. Walk-in hours are limited. Current hours are Monday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Wednesday 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and Friday 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Check portal.ct.gov/dph/vital-records before visiting Hartford to confirm hours have not changed.

Processing time at the state level is up to twelve weeks. This is much slower than requesting from the town clerk, which often handles requests within days. The fee is still $20 per certified copy. Payment must be a money order made out to "Treasurer, State of Connecticut." Credit or debit cards have an extra $2.50 fee. Personal checks are not accepted. If you mail your request, include a self-addressed stamped envelope for the return.

Use the same form whether requesting from the town or state. Download it from portal.ct.gov. Fill it out and send it with your payment to the state vital records office. If you need records from multiple towns or prefer one central location, the state office can handle requests for any Connecticut death from July 1897 forward.

VitalChek Online Ordering

VitalChek is the only authorized third-party vendor for Connecticut vital records orders. This online service lets you place orders anytime. It costs more than going directly through the town or state, but it offers convenience and faster shipping options.

Go to vitalchek.com and select Connecticut, then death certificates. Enter the deceased person's information, including name, date, and place of death. Provide your shipping address and payment details. VitalChek accepts all major credit cards. The site shows the total cost before you submit. This includes the $20 certificate fee, VitalChek service fees, and shipping costs. Expedited shipping is available if you need the record fast.

VitalChek forwards your order to the correct office based on where the death occurred. For Stamford deaths, this is the Stamford town clerk. The clerk processes the order and sends the certificate to you. You can track your order status on the VitalChek website using your order number. Most VitalChek orders process faster than standard mail requests.

If you prefer to order by phone, call VitalChek at 1-888-279-9888. Customer service can help you place an order over the phone. Have all the required information ready when you call. Phone orders have the same fees as online orders. This works well if you do not have internet access or prefer speaking with someone.

Common Uses for Death Certificates

Death certificates from Stamford are required for many legal and financial tasks. Banks, insurance companies, and government agencies all require certified copies when handling matters related to someone who has died. Photocopies do not work for these purposes. You need the original certified copy with the raised seal.

Typical reasons to get a death certificate:

• Filing life insurance claims
• Settling estates in probate court
• Closing bank and investment accounts
• Transferring vehicle titles
• Claiming pension or retirement benefits
• Applying for Social Security survivor benefits
• Changing property deeds and titles
• Filing final tax returns for the deceased

Most organizations need at least one certified copy. If you are handling multiple accounts, policies, or agencies, you may need several copies. It makes sense to order enough copies up front. Ordering more later costs the same $20 per copy each time, so getting what you need in one request saves money and time.

For genealogy or family history research, you may not need a certified copy. The Connecticut State Library has a free online death records index covering 1897 to 2001. This shows names, dates, and places but does not provide certified copies. Use it to confirm details before ordering an official certificate from the town or state. The index is at libguides.ctstatelibrary.org.

Note: Certified copies from the town clerk and state office have the same legal standing.

Fairfield County Death Records

Stamford is in Fairfield County, the most populous county in Connecticut with over 950,000 residents. Fairfield County has 23 towns and cities, each with its own town clerk handling vital records. For information about other Fairfield County towns or countywide resources, visit the Fairfield County death records page.

View Fairfield County Death Records

Nearby Fairfield County Cities

Other Fairfield County cities near Stamford include Greenwich, Norwalk, Darien, and Bridgeport. Each town clerk handles vital records for deaths in their jurisdiction. You must request death certificates from the town where the death occurred or from the state office in Hartford.