Lakewood Death Records Search Guide

Lakewood Death Index records are maintained by Jefferson County. The city sits west of Denver. It is the fifth largest city in Colorado. Over 155,000 people call it home. Deaths in Lakewood are filed with Jefferson County vital records. This guide shows where to find death certificates.

Lakewood Death Records at Jefferson County Level

Colorado vital records are county-based. Lakewood follows this rule. The city does not keep death records. Jefferson County handles all vital records for the area. This is standard across Colorado.

The Jefferson County Public Health serves Lakewood. They issue death certificates. They have records from 1975 to present. Call them at 303-271-6450. Walk-in service is available. Mail orders are accepted.

For older records, contact the state. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment holds records from 1900. Their Denver office is at 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South. Call 303-692-2200.

The Jefferson County vital records page is shown below.

This office handles death certificate requests for Lakewood, Arvada, Westminster, Wheat Ridge, and other Jefferson County communities.

Note: Lakewood residents must contact Jefferson County Public Health for death certificates, as cities do not maintain vital records in Colorado.

How to Order Lakewood Death Index Records

Several ordering options exist. Choose based on your timeline. Each method has different processing speeds.

Online ordering is convenient. Use GoCertificates at 800-324-6380. Or use VitalChek at 866-632-2604. Both work with Colorado. They process Lakewood death records. Standard processing takes about 30 business days.

In-person visits are fastest. Visit Jefferson County Public Health. Their office serves Lakewood residents. Call 303-271-6450 first. Check hours. Bring ID. Bring payment. Same-day service may be possible.

Mail orders go to the state office. Send to Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South, Denver, CO 80246. Include full name of deceased. Include date of death. Include your relationship. Include payment.

Note: Contact Jefferson County Public Health directly at 303-271-6450 for the fastest local service for Lakewood death records.

Lakewood Death Record Fees and Costs

Fees follow state law. They are consistent statewide. Lakewood residents pay the same as other Colorado residents.

First certified copies cost $25. Additional copies cost $20 each. These apply to standard certificates. They apply to legal certificates.

Verification costs $17. This confirms death occurred. It provides limited information. It is not a certified copy. C.R.S. § 25-2-117 sets these fees.

Online services add fees. Expect extra charges. Rush shipping costs more. Factor this into your budget.

Note: Jefferson County Public Health accepts various payment methods for in-person orders, though credit card availability should be confirmed before visiting.

Types of Lakewood Death Records Available

Three types of death records exist. Colorado offers all three. Lakewood deaths can have any type. Pick based on your needs.

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

Legal certificates show less. They omit medical details. They do not list cause of death. Some uses prefer this. It protects privacy.

Verifications give basic proof. They confirm death. They have limited facts. They cost less.

Note: Standard certificates include full medical information including cause of death, while legal certificates provide only non-medical facts.

Who Can Get Lakewood Death Records

Access is restricted. Privacy laws protect families. Eligibility rules apply statewide. Lakewood follows them.

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

New rules started in October 2024. Extended family faces limits. Grandparents need more proof. Grandchildren need more proof. Court orders may be required. Or show tangible interest.

Legal representatives can access records. Insurance companies can too. Government agencies have access. Each must show proper purpose. Each must show authority. C.R.S. § 25-2-117 defines access rules.

Note: Eligibility requirements for Lakewood death records are the same as for all other Colorado cities.

Lakewood Death Records for Genealogy Research

Family historians use death records. Lakewood is relatively young. It was incorporated in 1969. Earlier records may be harder to find. Families may have come from elsewhere.

The Colorado State Archives holds old records. They have pre-1908 records. They have indexes. Visit in Denver. Search online. Call 303-866-2358.

Before 1969, the area was unincorporated. Deaths went to Jefferson County. Some records may exist from that era. Check with the State Archives. Check with Jefferson County.

Denver resources are nearby. The Denver Public Library has obituaries. Some Lakewood deaths appear in Denver papers. Check their indexes.

Note: Lakewood was incorporated in 1969, so older death records for this area may be filed under unincorporated Jefferson County.

Jefferson County Death Records Near Lakewood

Lakewood is one of several cities in Jefferson County. All use the same vital records office. Deaths in these cities go to Jefferson County Public Health.

Arvada is north of Lakewood. It is in Jefferson County. Deaths there are Jefferson County records. Westminster is partly in Jefferson County. It is also partly in Adams County. Verify which county for Westminster deaths.

Wheat Ridge is near Lakewood. It is entirely in Jefferson County. Golden is the county seat. It houses county offices. Edgewater is a small enclave. It is surrounded by Lakewood. All use Jefferson County for death records.

Littleton touches Lakewood. It spans three counties. Jefferson is one. Arapahoe and Douglas are the others. Verify the county for Littleton deaths.

Note: Lakewood, Arvada, Wheat Ridge, Golden, and other nearby communities all use the Jefferson County vital records office.

Colorado Law and Lakewood Death Records

State law applies to all death records. Lakewood follows these laws. Jefferson County follows them. They cover the entire state.

C.R.S. § 25-2-110 requires prompt filing. Certificates must be filed within 72 hours. This happens before burial. Funeral homes file them. Doctors certify. Counties receive them.

C.R.S. § 25-2-111 covers retention. Keep records 7 years. Private land burials need recording within 30 days. These rules protect health. They ensure accuracy.

Note: Death certificates must be filed within 72 hours according to Colorado law, regardless of whether the death occurred in Lakewood or elsewhere in the state.