Yuma County Colorado Death Records

Yuma County sits in Colorado's northeast corner. The county shares borders with Nebraska and Kansas. Agriculture drives the local economy. The county seat is Wray. Yuma is the largest town. Families seeking Yuma County death records work with state offices. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment maintains all death certificates. Their records date back to 1900. Residents of Eckley, Idalia, and Joes use these services. The rural location makes mail and online ordering popular.

Yuma County Death Records Location

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment holds Yuma County death records. Their Denver office is the primary source. You can reach them at 303-692-2200. Staff answer calls Monday through Friday. Hours run from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The office serves all 64 Colorado counties. This includes Yuma County's farming communities. Residents of Kirk and Vernon rely on this office. They provide certified copies for all purposes.

Yuma County does not have a local vital records office. All death certificates come from the state. This is typical for smaller Colorado counties. The Yuma County Clerk's office handles other records. They are at 310 Ash Street in Wray. Their phone is 970-332-5809. They mainly deal with property and elections. They cannot issue death certificates. Call the state office for vital records needs.

The Colorado State Archives preserves historical Yuma County records. Genealogists use these collections. Records from before 1900 are available. The archives are in Denver. They are open Tuesday through Friday. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Note: Early rural records may be incomplete.

The state archives maintains historical death records for research.

These collections help families trace their northeast Colorado roots.

How to Order Yuma County Death Certificates

Yuma County residents have three ways to get death records. Online ordering works best for most. Mail suits those who plan ahead. In-person visits require a trip to Denver. Pick the method that fits your needs. Distance from Denver makes online and mail popular.

Online ordering uses GoCertificates or VitalChek. Both partner with Colorado's system. They charge $25 for the first copy. Service fees apply. You need the deceased person's information. Include full legal name. Add date and place of death. Processing takes about 30 business days. Rush shipping costs extra. This helps families in remote areas like Idalia.

Mail orders go to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Address is 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South, Denver, CO 80246. Include a completed form. Attach a copy of your photo ID. Send payment by check or money order. Make it payable to Vital Records Section. Mail takes several weeks. Rural delivery times vary.

The online ordering portal provides easy access to certificate requests.

This system guides you through each step of the ordering process.

Yuma County Death Index Certificate Types

Colorado offers three death record types. Each serves different purposes. Yuma County residents can order any type. The Standard Certificate shows all information. This includes cause of death. It lists medical details. Most legal matters need this version. The cost is $25 for the first copy.

The Legal Certificate omits medical facts. It shows legal information only. This works for banking. Some insurance needs accept it. The cost matches standard certificates. Both are $25. Additional copies cost $20 each.

Verification provides basic proof only. It costs $17. This confirms a death occurred. It shows limited details. Some agencies may not accept it. Check requirements first. Note: Legal proceedings usually require full certificates.

Yuma County Death Record Fees

Fees for Yuma County death records follow state law. C.R.S. § 25-2-117 sets these rates. First copies cost $25. Additional copies in the same order cost $20. These apply to standard and legal certificates. Verification costs $17. Fees support vital records services.

Online vendors charge extra fees. GoCertificates and VitalChek add processing costs. Fees vary by shipping speed. Standard mail is cheapest. Overnight costs more. Plan your budget. Rural residents may want faster shipping.

Who Can Access Yuma County Death Records

Colorado restricts access to death records. Yuma County follows these rules. Only certain people can get certified copies. Immediate family members qualify. These are spouses, parents, children, and siblings. Each needs photo ID. They must show proof of relationship.

Rules changed in October 2024. Grandparents and grandchildren face new limits. They need a court order now. They can show tangible interest instead. This affects family researchers. Plan for extra documentation. Legal representatives still have access. They need proper papers. Funeral directors get records as part of their duties.

C.R.S. § 25-2-117 controls access. This statute defines tangible interest. It keeps records private. Only qualified requesters get copies. The law balances privacy with legitimate needs.

Yuma County Death Records for Genealogy

Genealogists research Yuma County families. The area attracted farmers in the 1880s. Homesteaders claimed land. They built communities. Death records track their stories. The Colorado State Archives holds older records. These predate 1900. They are open to the public. Visit in person or search online.

Yuma County has several cemeteries. Grandview Cemetery in Wray is large. It has many historic graves. Records go back to the 1880s. The cemetery association can help. Smaller burial grounds serve rural areas. Some are on private farms. Local groups maintain records.

Newspapers recorded deaths. The Yuma Pioneer published local news. Old issues have obituaries. Some papers are on microfilm. The Wray Public Library has collections. The Colorado Historical Society has more. Note: Early rural records may be scattered.

The archives search tool helps locate specific Yuma County records.

This system searches across multiple databases for northeast Colorado.

Yuma County Death Index Laws

Colorado laws govern death records. Yuma County follows these statutes. They ensure accurate recording. They protect privacy. Several sections apply to death certificates. Families should understand these rules.

C.R.S. § 25-2-110 requires quick filing. Certificates must be filed within 72 hours. This happens before burial. Funeral directors handle this. Medical certifiers sign off. The law applies statewide. It keeps Yuma County records current.

C.R.S. § 25-2-111 covers retention. Records must be kept seven years. Private burials need recording within 30 days. These rules ensure documentation. They help track Yuma County deaths.

Yuma County Death Index Resources

Several tools help find Yuma County death records. The Colorado State Archives offers free searches. You can search by name. You can filter by dates. Results show record locations. This helps researchers and families.

DeathIndexes.com lists Colorado resources. Their page has links to offices. It includes ordering information. The site helps beginners. FamilySearch.org has free collections. Some include images. These help identify records to order.

The Colorado State Archives death records page is a key resource.

This page connects researchers to available Yuma County death record collections.

Nearby Colorado Death Records

Yuma County borders several counties. You may need their records. Washington County sits to the north. Logan County is to the northwest. Morgan County lies to the south. Kit Carson County is to the west. Phillips County borders to the southwest. Each has separate records. Check these counties if needed.