Bent County Death Index and Vital Records

Bent County is located in southeast Colorado along the Arkansas River. Las Animas serves as the county seat. The county has a rich history dating to the Old West era. Death records here span many decades. Families search these records for genealogy. They search for legal purposes too. This guide shows you where to look.

Where to Find Bent County Death Index Records

Bent County does not have a separate vital records office. You will use state resources. This is standard for smaller Colorado counties. The state maintains all official records.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment holds all death records. They maintain records from 1900 to the present. This covers all Bent County deaths. Their Denver office is at 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South, Denver, CO 80246. The phone number is 303-692-2200. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

You can order records three ways. Online through approved vendors. By mail to the state office. In person at the Denver office. Online is fastest for most people. Mail takes longer. In-person works if you are in the area.

The image below shows the VitalChek portal where you can order Bent County death certificates online.

This service partners with Colorado to provide online death certificate ordering for all counties including Bent County.

The Colorado State Archives has older records. They have some pre-1908 materials. Availability is 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: Bent County death records are maintained by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

Types of Bent County Death Records

Three record types are available in Colorado. Each meets different needs. Choose carefully. Your choice affects what you receive.

Standard certificates are full records. They show all legal information. They show all medical information. Cause of death is included. This is the typical choice. It serves most purposes. Cost is $25 for first copy. Additional copies are $20.

Legal certificates cost the same. But they show different information. Medical facts are removed. Cause of death is excluded. Only legal information appears. Some situations need this type. It keeps health information private.

Verifications cost less money. The price is $17. They confirm death happened. They give limited legal facts. No medical facts appear. C.R.S. § 25-2-117 controls who can get copies. Access is limited by law.

Note: Select the record type that provides the information you need while protecting sensitive medical details if appropriate.

Bent County Death Index Fees and Ordering Costs

Fees are set at the state level. All counties pay the same. Bent County follows this structure. Know the costs in advance.

First certified copy is $25. Additional copies in same order are $20 each. This applies to standard and legal certificates. Verifications are $17 each. No price break for multiple verifications.

Online vendors add fees. GoCertificates and VitalChek charge extra. Their fees run $10 to $20. Rush shipping adds more cost. Mail orders have no extra fees. But they take more time. In-person orders cost the base rate.

Order at cdphe.colorado.gov/order-certificate-now. Or call GoCertificates at 800-324-6380. Or call VitalChek at 866-632-2604.

Note: Online ordering convenience comes with additional service fees beyond state prices.

How to Request Bent County Death Records

Three methods exist for ordering. Online. Mail. In person. Each suits different situations. Consider your needs.

Online works best for most. Use GoCertificates or VitalChek. Pay with credit card. Provide death information. Processing is about 30 business days. Rush service may be offered.

Mail suits those without urgency. Send to Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Vital Records Section, 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South, Denver, CO 80246. Include deceased name. Include death date and place. Include your ID and payment.

In-person fits urgent needs. Visit the Denver office during hours. Bring photo ID. Bring payment. Same-day service may happen.

Required information for orders:

• Legal name of deceased
• Date of death
• Place of death
• Your photo ID
• Proof of relationship
• Payment

Note: Having complete information ready speeds up your Bent County death record order.

Who Can Obtain Bent County Death Index Records

Access is restricted by law. Privacy is protected. Fraud is prevented. Know the requirements.

Immediate family can request. Spouses are included. Parents are included. Children are included. Siblings are included. ID is required. Relationship proof is required. Birth records help. Marriage records help.

October 2024 brought changes. Grandparents face new rules. Grandchildren face new rules. Court orders are needed. Or tangible interest must be shown. This affects many families. Be prepared.

Others may request. Legal reps may request. Estate managers may request. Insurance firms may request. Purpose must be legitimate. C.R.S. § 25-2-117 covers this. Records are confidential.

Note: New restrictions apply to extended family members as of October 2024.

Bent County Death Records for Genealogy

Death records help family historians. They contain key facts. Names. Dates. Connections. Places. Bent County records cover many years.

Start at the Colorado State Archives. Search online. Many records are digitized. Look by name. Look by year. Some have images. Visit for records not online.

Before 1908 is harder. Records are scarce. Colorado had no standard system. Church records may exist. Cemetery records may exist. Try the Archives search page. Local help may be available.

Note: Early Bent County death records may require checking church and cemetery sources.

Bent County Local Information

Bent County is rural. Las Animas is the county seat. It sits along the Arkansas River. The county has Old West history. Local resources may help.

The Bent County Government provides services. Staff can answer questions. They can point to resources. State office handles vital records. But local staff may guide you.

Libraries may have history materials. Old newspapers may be available. Obituaries give death facts. Historical societies may help. They may preserve family histories. They may know early residents. They may know old burial places.

The Old West heritage is strong here. Local museums may help. They may have records. They may know family stories.

Note: Local historical resources may provide context for Bent County death records and family history.

Colorado Law Governing Bent County Death Records

State law applies to all counties. Bent County follows these laws. Filing rules. Access rules. Fee rules.

C.R.S. § 25-2-110 mandates quick filing. Death certificates within 72 hours. Before final disposition. Funeral homes do this. Doctors help. State gets the records. Official record is made.

C.R.S. § 25-2-111 covers keeping records. Minimum 7 years required. Private burials have rules. Recording within 30 days. Laws protect the public. Statistics stay accurate.

Note: Death certificates must be filed within 72 hours according to Colorado statute.