Arapahoe County Death Records and Index
Arapahoe County sits on the eastern edge of the Denver metro area. It is one of Colorado's oldest counties. Death records here date back over a century. Families search these records for many reasons. Legal needs. Genealogy. Closure. This page shows you how to find Arapahoe County death records. It covers state and local options. It explains costs and rules.
Where to Find Arapahoe County Death Index Records
Death records in Arapahoe County come from two main sources. The state office holds most records. The county may have recent ones. Know where to look. It speeds up your search.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is the main office. They hold death records from 1900 to now. This includes all Arapahoe County deaths. You can order online. You can order by mail. You can visit in person. Their office is at 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South, Denver, CO 80246. Call them at 303-692-2200. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
The state offers online ordering through two services. GoCertificates and VitalChek both work with Colorado. These are fast options. They charge service fees. Processing takes about 30 business days.
The image below shows the Colorado certificate ordering page where you can request death records online.
This online portal allows you to order death certificates from any Colorado county including Arapahoe County.
The Colorado State Archives holds older records. Some pre-1908 records exist. These are limited. They are located at 1313 Sherman St., Room 1B-20, Denver, CO 80203. Call 303-866-2358. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Friday.
Note: The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment holds Arapahoe County death records from 1900 to present.
Types of Arapahoe County Death Records
Colorado offers three record types. Each serves different needs. Pick the right one. It saves money. It gets you what you need.
Standard certificates are complete. They show all legal facts. They show all medical facts. This includes cause of death. Most people need this type. It costs $25 for the first copy. Extra copies cost $20 each.
Legal certificates cost the same. But they show less. They omit medical facts. They omit cause of death. They have legal facts only. Some uses need this form. It protects health privacy.
Verifications are the cheapest. They cost $17. They confirm death happened. They give limited legal facts. No cause appears. C.R.S. § 25-2-117 governs access to these records. It limits who can get certified copies.
Note: Select the certificate type based on your specific needs to ensure you get the appropriate documentation.
Arapahoe County Death Index Fees and Ordering
Fees are set by the state. They are the same in all counties. Arapahoe County follows these rates. Plan your budget. Know the costs.
The first certified copy costs $25. Each additional copy ordered at the same time costs $20. This applies to standard and legal certificates. Verifications cost $17 each. There is no bulk discount for verifications.
Online orders include service fees. GoCertificates and VitalChek add $10 to $20 per order. Rush shipping costs extra. Mail orders cost the base rate only. But they take longer. In-person orders at the state office cost the base rate.
To order online, visit cdphe.colorado.gov/order-certificate-now. Or call GoCertificates at 800-324-6380. Or call VitalChek at 866-632-2604.
Note: Online ordering includes additional service fees beyond the state certificate costs.
How to Request Arapahoe County Death Records
Getting records is straightforward. You have three methods. Online. By mail. In person. Each has benefits. Choose what fits your needs.
Online is quickest for most people. Use GoCertificates or VitalChek. You need a credit card. You need basic death facts. Processing takes about 30 business days. Expedited service may be available for an extra fee.
Mail works well for non-urgent needs. Send requests to Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Vital Records Section, 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South, Denver, CO 80246. Include the deceased's full name. Include date and place of death. Include your ID and payment.
In-person visits suit urgent requests. Visit the Denver office during business hours. Bring photo ID. Bring payment method. Same-day service may be possible depending on volume.
Information needed to order:
- Full legal name of the deceased person
- Date of death (month, day, and year)
- City and county where death occurred
- Your current government-issued photo ID
- Documentation proving your relationship to the deceased
- Payment for the certificate fees
Note: Have all required information ready before submitting your request to avoid processing delays.
Who Can Obtain Arapahoe County Death Index Records
Colorado restricts access to death records. This is state law. It protects families. It prevents fraud. Know the rules.
Immediate family members have access. Spouses qualify. Parents qualify. Children qualify. Siblings qualify. They must prove identity. They must prove relationship. Birth certificates work. Marriage certificates work. IDs are required.
As of October 2024, rules changed. Grandparents and grandchildren need more. They need a court order. Or they need to prove tangible interest. This is a significant change. It affects many people. Plan accordingly.
Others may access records. Legal representatives qualify. Estate administrators qualify. Insurance companies qualify. They must show legitimate need. C.R.S. § 25-2-117 sets these standards. Death records are confidential. They are not public records.
Note: Access restrictions tightened in October 2024 for extended family members seeking death records.
Arapahoe County Death Records for Genealogy Research
Family historians find gold in death records. These documents hold vital clues. Names. Dates. Relationships. Locations. Arapahoe County has records spanning many generations.
The Colorado State Archives is your starting point. They offer online searching. Many records are digitized. Search by name. Search by year. Some have document images. Visit in person for records not online.
Pre-1908 records are limited. Colorado did not have uniform reporting. Some church records survive. Some cemetery records exist. Local libraries may help. The Colorado State Archives search page lists many resources. Check it first.
Note: Pre-1908 death records in Arapahoe County are limited and may require consulting alternative sources.
Arapahoe County Death Index in Major Cities
Arapahoe County includes several large cities. Each is part of the same record system. Deaths in these cities get filed with the state. The county covers them all.
Aurora is the largest city. It spans three counties. Parts are in Arapahoe. Parts are in Adams. Parts are in Douglas. Death records go to the county of residence. Centennial is entirely in Arapahoe County. It is a major suburb. Littleton spans three counties. Parts are in Arapahoe. Parts are in Douglas. Parts are in Jefferson. Englewood sits mostly in Arapahoe.
For deaths in Aurora, check which county the person lived in. The death record goes to that county. But the state office has all records. So you can use the state office for any Arapahoe County area.
Note: Some cities span multiple counties, so verify the county of residence when searching for death records.
Colorado Laws for Arapahoe County Death Records
State statutes control all vital records. They apply to Arapahoe County. They govern filing. They govern access. They govern fees.
C.R.S. § 25-2-110 requires prompt filing. Death certificates must be filed within 72 hours. This must occur before final disposition. Funeral directors handle this. Physicians assist. The state receives the records. This creates an official record.
C.R.S. § 25-2-111 covers retention. Records must be kept at least 7 years. Private land burials have special rules. They must be recorded within 30 days. These laws protect the public. They ensure accurate vital statistics.
Note: Colorado law mandates death certificates be filed within 72 hours before burial or cremation.