Aurora Death Records and Vital Index

Aurora Death Index records are unique because Aurora spans three counties. Most of the city sits in Arapahoe County. Parts extend into Adams and Douglas Counties. Death records are filed with the county where death occurred. This guide helps Aurora residents find the right office for death certificates.

Aurora Death Records Across Three Counties

Aurora is Colorado's third largest city. It crosses county lines. This creates confusion for vital records. Most deaths in Aurora go to Arapahoe County. Some go to Adams County. A few go to Douglas County. You must know which county to contact.

The majority of Aurora is in Arapahoe County. Central Aurora is Arapahoe. Eastern Aurora is Arapahoe. The Arapahoe County vital records office handles these deaths. Contact them for most Aurora death certificates.

Northwest Aurora is in Adams County. The Adams County Health Department handles these deaths. Their office is at 7190 Colorado Blvd., Ste. 170, Commerce City, CO 80022. Call 720-200-1401 for assistance. This area includes parts near the Denver border.

A small portion of southeast Aurora is in Douglas County. The Douglas County Health Department handles these. Their office is at 11045 E. Lansing Circle, Suite 300, Englewood, CO 80112. Call 720-643-2480.

Note: Since Aurora spans three counties, you must determine which county the death occurred in before requesting records.

How to Order Aurora Death Index Records

Getting death records for Aurora requires knowing the right county. Once you know, you have several ordering options. The state office can also help. They have all Colorado death records.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment holds all state death records. They have records from 1900 to present. You can order online. You can order by mail. You can visit their Denver office. The address is 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South, Denver, CO 80246. Call 303-692-2200.

Online ordering uses two services. GoCertificates is at 800-324-6380. VitalChek is at 866-632-2604. Both work with Colorado. Both charge state fees plus service fees. Processing takes about 30 business days.

County offices may offer faster service. Contact the specific county where death occurred. Arapahoe, Adams, or Douglas may have walk-in service. Call ahead to check hours. Bring valid ID. Bring payment.

Note: The state CDPHE office can provide death certificates for any Aurora location, regardless of which county the death occurred in.

Aurora Death Record Fees and Costs

Fees are consistent across Colorado. Aurora follows state rates. All three counties charge the same. The state office charges the same too.

First copies cost $25. Additional copies cost $20 each. These are certified copies. They work for legal purposes. They work for estates. They work for insurance.

Verifications cost $17. This confirms death occurred. It gives limited facts. It is not a certified copy. Use it when full details are not needed. C.R.S. § 25-2-117 sets these fees by law.

Online vendors add fees. Expect extra charges. Rush shipping costs more. Plan your budget accordingly.

Note: Fees are standardized statewide, so costs are the same whether you order from Arapahoe, Adams, Douglas County, or the state office.

Types of Aurora Death Records Available

Three types of death records exist. They apply to all Aurora deaths. Choose based on your needs.

Standard certificates show everything. They have legal facts. They have medical facts. They list cause of death. This is the full record. Most situations need this type.

Legal certificates omit medical details. They show legal facts only. No cause of death appears. Some uses prefer this. It protects medical privacy.

Verifications give basic confirmation. They prove death occurred. They have limited information. They cost less. They are not certified.

Note: Standard certificates include full medical information while legal certificates provide only the legal facts without cause of death.

Who Can Get Aurora Death Records

Access is limited by law. Privacy rules apply. Eligibility is the same across all counties. Aurora follows Colorado standards.

Immediate family can order. Spouses qualify. Parents qualify. Children qualify. Siblings qualify. Show your ID. Show your relationship. The process is simple for close family.

Extended family faces new limits. Changes took effect in October 2024. Grandparents need court orders. Grandchildren need court orders. Or they need tangible interest proof. This affects many researchers.

Legal representatives can access records. Show your authority. Insurance companies can get records. Show the claim. Government agencies have access. Show official need. C.R.S. § 25-2-117 defines who qualifies.

Note: Eligibility requirements are the same regardless of which of the three counties handled the original death record.

Aurora Death Records for Genealogy Research

Family historians research Aurora deaths. Records help build family trees. Several sources exist. Some are online. Some require visits.

The Colorado State Archives holds old records. They have pre-1908 records. They have indexes. Visit in Denver. Or search online. The address is 1313 Sherman St., Room 1B-20. Hours are Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Aurora is a relatively young city. It grew fast after World War II. Older records may be sparse. Many families moved from elsewhere. Check records from other states too. The State Archives can help trace movements.

Newspaper obituaries help. The Aurora Sentinel covers local deaths. Denver newspapers also cover Aurora. Check the Denver Public Library. They have obituary indexes. Some are online.

Note: Aurora's growth as a suburb means many death records for early residents may be from other counties or states.

Determining Which County Holds Aurora Death Records

Finding the right county is key. Aurora spans three counties. Deaths go to the county of occurrence. Not the county of residence. This matters for location.

Hospitals can help identify the county. Ask which county the facility is in. Most Aurora hospitals are in Arapahoe County. Some medical facilities are in Adams County. Verify the exact location.

Home addresses can mislead. An Aurora address may be in any county. Check county maps. The Arapahoe County website has boundary maps. The Adams County website has maps too. Douglas County has mapping tools.

When in doubt, contact the state office. CDPHE has all records. They can locate any Colorado death. They charge the same fees. They work for all counties.

Note: If you are unsure which county holds the record, the state CDPHE office can search all Colorado death records.

Colorado Law and Aurora Death Records

State law applies to all counties. Aurora follows these rules. The three counties follow them too. Laws cover filing and access.

C.R.S. § 25-2-110 requires quick filing. Certificates must be filed within 72 hours. This is before burial. Funeral directors handle this. Doctors certify deaths. Counties receive the records.

C.R.S. § 25-2-111 sets retention rules. Records must be kept 7 years. Private burials need recording within 30 days. These rules protect everyone. They ensure accurate records.

Note: Death certificates must be filed within 72 hours regardless of which of the three counties the death occurred in.