CDC/NCHS Where to Write for Vital Records
Official directory of state vital records offices, fees, addresses, and ordering notes.
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Record search resources
A directory of government, nonprofit, archive, library, and commercial resources, with coverage and cost notes.
No single resource covers all United States deaths, publications, burial places, or court files. Coverage follows the institutions that created and preserved each record. Federal repositories hold federal records; states maintain vital records; county courts administer local estate files; libraries preserve selected newspapers.
This directory describes what each resource contains, its geographic or institutional coverage, and whether normal access is free or paid. A listing is not an endorsement, and a database result is not independently verified by Restview. Always inspect the collection description and identify the original record custodian.
Before searching, review record types, the state directory, using an index, evaluating contributed data, and our verification method.
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National Archives
Federal military, census, archival, and genealogy research guidance.
Review coverageSocial Security Administration Death Master File
Official information about SSA death data access and limitations.
Review coverageLibrary of Congress Chronicling America
Digitized historic United States newspapers and newspaper directory data.
Review coverageDepartment of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration
Official burial-location and memorial benefit resources for eligible veterans and family members.
Review coverageNationwide Gravesite Locator
Search tool for burial locations in VA national cemeteries and some other military cemeteries.
Review coverageFamilySearch
Nonprofit genealogy catalog and record-search platform; availability and image access vary.
Review coverageFind a Grave
User-contributed memorial and burial-location database; entries require independent verification.
Review coverageBillionGraves
Contributor-created cemetery transcription and location database.
Review coverageAncestry
Commercial genealogy platform with historical death indexes, newspapers, and family-tree tools.
Review coverageGenealogyBank
Commercial historical newspaper and obituary search platform.
Review coverageNational Personnel Records Center
Military personnel and related federal archival records.
Review coverageUSA.gov Courts
Official starting point for finding federal, state, and local court websites, including probate courts.
Review coverageUSAGov Death of a Loved One
Federal checklist and agency links for administrative tasks after a death.
Review coverageSocial Security Survivor Benefits
Official eligibility and application information for Social Security survivor benefits.
Review coverageSocial Security Lump-Sum Death Payment
Official rules for the one-time Social Security death payment.
Review coverageVA Burials and Memorials
Official eligibility, pre-need, burial, and memorial benefit information.
Review coverageFederal Trade Commission Funeral Rule
Consumer rights and price-disclosure rules for funeral providers.
Review coverageIRS Deceased Person Guidance
Federal tax filing and representative guidance after a death.
Review coverageFederal Benefits for Veterans Handbook
Official VA handbook covering burial and survivor benefit programs.
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