Adams County Death Index and Records
Adams County Death Index records help families find vital information. The county sits just north of Denver. It holds death records for many residents. You can search these records for genealogy work. You can also get copies for legal needs. The Adams County Health Department keeps files from 1975 to now. Older records sit at the state office. This guide shows you how to find what you need.
Where to Find Adams County Death Index Records
You have two main places to get death records in Adams County. The county health office serves locals first. The state office holds older files. Both follow Colorado law. Both can give you what you need. You just pick which works best for you.
The Adams County Health Department keeps death records from 1975 to now. You can visit them at 7190 Colorado Blvd., Ste. 170, Commerce City, CO 80022. Their phone is 720-200-1401. They take walk-ins. They also take mail requests. This is the best place for recent deaths in Adams County.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment holds all state death records. They have files from 1900 to now. You can order online. You can also visit their office in Denver. The address is 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South, Denver, CO 80246. Their phone is 303-692-2200. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Use this office for deaths before 1975 in Adams County.
The image below shows the Adams County Health Department vital records page where you can request death certificates.
This office handles death certificate requests for Commerce City, Thornton, Westminster, and other Adams County areas.
Note: The county office keeps records from 1975 to now, while the state holds records back to 1900.
Types of Adams County Death Records
Colorado offers three types of death records. Each serves a different need. You should pick the right one. This saves time and money. It also gets you what you need faster.
The standard death certificate shows all facts. It has medical details. It has legal facts. It lists the cause of death. It shows where death occurred. This is the full record. Most families need this type.
The legal certificate shows less. It has legal items only. It has no medical facts. It does not show cause of death. Some uses need this type. It works for property claims. It works for some legal needs.
Verification is the third type. It shows limited legal facts. It confirms death occurred. It does not give full details. This costs less than full certificates. C.R.S. § 25-2-117 covers who can get certified copies.
Note: Pick the certificate type that fits your specific need to save money and time.
Adams County Death Index Fees and Costs
Fees for death records vary by type and method. The state sets base rates. Services add costs for online orders. Know the prices before you order. This helps you plan.
The first copy costs $25 at the state office. Each extra copy costs $20 more. These prices apply to mail and walk-in orders. Online orders cost more. VitalChek and GoCertificates add service fees. These can add $10 to $20 to your total. Rush shipping costs extra too.
Verification costs less. A verification is $17. This confirms death only. It has fewer facts. Order online at cdphe.colorado.gov/order-certificate-now. Or call GoCertificates at 800-324-6380. You can also call VitalChek at 866-632-2604.
Note: Online orders include extra service fees on top of state certificate costs.
How to Order Adams County Death Records
You can order death records in three ways. Each way has pros and cons. Pick what works for your needs. Some ways are faster. Some cost less.
Online ordering is fastest. Use GoCertificates or VitalChek. Both work with Colorado. You pay by card. You get records in 30 business days. Rush service may be offered. This is best if you need records fast.
Mail orders take longer. Send your request to Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Vital Records Section, 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South, Denver, CO 80246. Include the death facts. Include your ID. Include payment. Processing varies by volume.
In-person visits work for same-day service. Go to the Adams County Health Department at 7190 Colorado Blvd., Ste. 170, Commerce City. Or visit the state office in Denver. Bring valid ID. Bring payment. Walk-in service is first come, first served.
What you need to order:
- Full name of the person who died
- Date of death
- City or county where death occurred
- Your valid photo ID
- Proof of your relationship (if required)
- Payment for fees
Note: Bring all required documents to avoid delays in processing your request.
Who Can Get Adams County Death Index Records
Colorado law limits who can get death records. This protects privacy. It also stops fraud. Know the rules before you order.
Immediate family can always get copies. This means spouses. This means parents. This means children. This means siblings. They need to show ID. They need to show relationship. The rules changed in October 2024. Grandparents and grandchildren now need more proof. They need a court order. Or they need to show tangible interest. This is a new rule in Colorado.
Others may qualify. Legal reps can get records. Insurance firms can get them. Estate execs can too. They must show why they need the record. C.R.S. § 25-2-117 sets these rules. Vital records are not fully public. This keeps sensitive facts safe.
Note: Immediate family members have direct access, while extended family may need additional documentation.
Adams County Death Records for Genealogy
Family historians use death records. These records hold key facts. They show family links. They show dates and places. They help build family trees. Adams County has many records for research.
The Colorado State Archives holds old death records. They have some records before 1908. They have an online search tool. You can search by name. You can search by date. Not all years are online. Some need in-person visits. The archives are at 1313 Sherman St., Room 1B-20, Denver, CO 80203. Call 303-866-2358 for help. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Friday.
Death records before 1908 are limited. Contact the State Archives. They may know where to look. Some church records exist. Some cemetery records help. Local history groups may have facts. Thornton and Westminster both have historical societies. They may hold extra records.
Note: Records before 1908 are limited and may require checking multiple sources for complete information.
Adams County Death Index in Major Cities
Adams County has several large cities. Each falls under the same county vital records system. Deaths in these cities get filed with the county.
Thornton is the largest city in Adams County. It spans Adams and Weld counties. Deaths there go to the county of residence. Westminster also spans two counties. It covers Adams and Jefferson. Commerce City sits entirely in Adams County. Brighton is split with Weld County. Northglenn is split with Weld too. Aurora crosses into Arapahoe and Douglas.
For deaths in these cities, contact the Adams County Health Department. If the person lived in Weld or Jefferson, check those counties too. The county health office can guide you. They know which county has the record.
Note: Some cities span multiple counties, so verify which county holds the specific death record you need.
Colorado Law and Adams County Death Records
Colorado statutes govern death records. These laws apply to all counties. They cover filing. They cover access. They cover fees. Know the law to know your rights.
C.R.S. § 25-2-110 requires death certificates be filed fast. They must be filed within 72 hours. This must happen before burial or cremation. Funeral homes usually handle this. They work with doctors. They work with the county. This ensures timely filing in Adams County.
C.R.S. § 25-2-111 covers record keeping. Records must be kept at least 7 years. Some burial facts have special rules. Private land burials must be recorded within 30 days. These rules protect public health. They also help with land records.
Note: Death certificates must be filed within 72 hours according to Colorado state law.