How many death certificates do I need, and who do I notify?
Order about 10, and here's the full list of who you'll have to tell.
A small, practical question with a clear answer: order about 10 certified copies of the death certificate. The funeral home usually helps. Many institutions require an original, not a photocopy, and reordering later is slower.
Who you'll need to notify
The common list: Social Security, the three credit bureaus (to prevent fraud), banks and credit unions, life insurance and other insurers, the employer and any pension, the DMV, and any government benefit programs. USA.gov keeps an official notification list.
You won't need a certificate for everything, but for anything involving money, property, or benefits, expect to send one.
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Order about 10. Many banks and offices require an original rather than a copy.
Social Security, the three credit bureaus, banks, insurers, the employer and any pension, and the DMV. USA.gov keeps an official list.