Nebraska Death Certificate

Qualifications

The following people may request death certificates from the state of Nebraska:

• Legal parent
• Spouse
• Child
• Attorney
• Legal guardian or conservator
• Custodian
• Personal representative
• Executor of the deceased's estate
• Other person showing lawful authority to act on behalf of the deceased

In order for a certified death certificate to be issued in Nebraska, the requestor must have "proper purpose," which can include the following grounds:

• To establish the fact of death or identity in a probate or estate action
• To transfer title to a motor vehicle or other personal or real property
• To obtain government documents such as a driver's license, identification card, social security, passports, or other state or federal licenses, benefits, or certificates
• To establish a legal relationship with another person or property right such as an inheritance, insurance, or dependency benefit
• To provide a copy or copies of a certificate of birth resulting in stillbirth to the parent(s) as listed on the fetal death record.
• Scientific or Medical Use: Use upon proof of identity and qualifications by a researcher employed by a research organization, university, institution, or government agency, who is conducting scientific, medical, or public health research of a certificate, so long as there is no publication or disclosure of the name or names or facts that would lead to the identity of any person included in the certificate
• Law Enforcement Use: Use of a certificate upon proof of identity and employment with an agency of the federal government, state government, or political subdivision of the state, charged by law with the duty of detecting or prosecuting crime or enforcing child support or establishing paternity
• Genealogical Use: Use of a certificate of birth and death by a person engaged in genealogical research
• Historical Research: Use by a historical researcher of a certificate upon proof of identity and proof of qualification
• Governmental Use: Use of a certificate upon proof of identity and employment by federal, state, or political subdivision government agencies for statistical purposes, disease control or prevention, health-related record keeping, and for record keeping required by any state or federal agency in the course of its official duties
• Media Use: Use of a certificate upon proof of identity and employment with a newspaper, magazine, radio, or television station for the purpose of reporting news to the public

Cost

Accordiing to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, to get a death certificate by mail, send a $16.00 check or money order made out to Vital Records (no credit cards) and be sure to include a photocopy of the government-issued photo ID of the person requesting the application, i.e. current drivers license and include the following information:

• Full name of deceased, if female, list married name or any other name(s) used.
• City or town of death, if exact date of death not known, indicate a span of years.
• How you are related to the decedent.
• Purpose record will be used.

Include this information for the deceased if a search is required:

• Year of birth
• Birthplace
• Spouse's full name
• Home address
• Father's full name
• Mother's full name
• Funeral Director and City

Submitting Your Request

By Mail:
Send the completed application, the appropriate fee, and a business-sized self-addressed stamped envelope to:

Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services
Division of Public Health
Vital Records
P.O. Box 95065
Lincoln, NE 68509-5065

In Person:
You may drop off your application in person at:

Vital Records
1033 O Street, Suite 130
Lincoln, NE 68508-3621

For office hours and other details call the Vital Records 24-hour recorded message at 402-471-2871.

Download the Application

Click here to download the application for a certified Nebraska death certificate.

See our complete list of resources for Nebraska.