Jefferson County Death Records Search
Jefferson County Death Index records serve families west of Denver. The county holds over 580,000 residents. Cities include Lakewood, Arvada, and Wheat Ridge. Death records here date back many decades. The county health office keeps files from 1975 onward. Older records sit with the state. You can search these records for legal needs. You can also use them for family history work. This guide shows where to look.
Where to Find Jefferson County Death Index Records
You have two main sources for death records in Jefferson County. The county public health office serves local needs first. The state office holds all historical files. Both follow Colorado law. Both can issue certified copies. Pick the office that fits your timeline.
The Jefferson County Public Health keeps death records from 1975 to now. You can reach them by phone at 303-271-6450. They handle walk-in requests. They also take mail orders. This office serves deaths in Lakewood, Arvada, Westminster, and other Jefferson County areas. Call ahead to confirm hours before visiting.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment holds all state death records. They have files from 1900 to present. You can order online through their portal. You can also visit their Denver office. 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 Jefferson County.
The image below shows the Jefferson County Public Health vital records page where you can request death certificates.
This office handles death certificate requests for Lakewood, Arvada, Westminster, Wheat Ridge, and other Jefferson County communities.
Note: The county office keeps records from 1975 to now, while the state holds records dating back to 1900.
Types of Jefferson County Death Records
Colorado offers three types of death records. Each serves a different purpose. 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 for estate and insurance matters.
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 banking needs where privacy matters.
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 and sets the fee structure.
Note: Pick the certificate type that fits your specific need to save money and processing time.
Jefferson 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 your budget.
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 for phone orders.
Note: Online orders include extra service fees on top of state certificate costs.
How to Order Jefferson 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 in fees.
Online ordering is fastest. Use GoCertificates or VitalChek. Both work with Colorado. You pay by card. You get records in about 30 business days. Rush service may be offered. This is best if you need records fast without visiting an office.
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 at the state office.
In-person visits work for same-day service. Go to the Jefferson County Public Health office. Or visit the state office in Denver. Bring valid ID. Bring payment. Walk-in service is first come, first served. Call 303-271-6450 to check Jefferson County hours.
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 Jefferson 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.
Jefferson 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. Jefferson 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. The Jefferson County Historical Commission may hold extra records for researchers.
Note: Records before 1908 are limited and may require checking multiple sources for complete information.
Jefferson County Death Index in Major Cities
Jefferson County has several large cities. Each falls under the same county vital records system. Deaths in these cities get filed with the county.
Lakewood is the largest city in Jefferson County. It sits just west of Denver. Deaths there go to Jefferson County Public Health. Arvada is the second largest city. It spans Jefferson and Adams counties. Deaths may go to either county office. Wheat Ridge sits entirely in Jefferson County. Westminster spans Jefferson and Adams counties. Littleton touches Jefferson, Arapahoe, and Douglas.
Golden serves as the county seat. It houses county offices. Edgewater, Mountain View, and Lakeside are small enclaves. All use Jefferson County for death records. If you are unsure which county holds a record, call Jefferson County Public Health at 303-271-6450.
Note: Some cities span multiple counties, so verify which county holds the specific death record you need.
Colorado Law and Jefferson 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 Jefferson 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.