Arkansas death records provide important information about a person’s passing within the state.
These official documents contain details such as the full name of the deceased, the date and place of death, and the attending physician’s name.
While accessing vital records may seem like a complicated process, Arkansas makes it convenient by permitting public access to death records after a certain amount of time has passed.
In Arkansas, death records older than 50 years are considered public information and can be accessed by anyone, while records less than 50 years old are restricted to immediate family members and authorized individuals.
The Arkansas Department of Health is responsible for maintaining these records, which can be obtained through their Vital Records Division, either online or in-person.
Key Takeaways
- Arkansas death records older than 50 years are public and accessible to anyone
- Records less than 50 years old are restricted to immediate family members and authorized individuals
- The Arkansas Department of Health’s Vital Records Division maintains these records and provides access to them.
Are Arkansas Death Records Public?
Publicly Available Information
Arkansas death records are generally open to the public for deaths that occurred at least 50 years ago. Death records that are less than 50 years old are considered restricted and not available for public access.
These records can provide important information such as the deceased’s full name, date and time of death, cause of death, and other relevant details.
Eligible Requesters
For Arkansas death records that are less than 50 years old, access is limited to individuals who meet specific eligibility criteria. These include:
- Close relatives of the deceased, such as a spouse, parent, grandparent, sibling, or adult child
- Legal representatives acting on behalf of the family
- Government agencies that require the record for official reasons
Requirements
Requesting restricted Arkansas death records requires the eligible requester to provide the necessary documentation and identification. Some documents that may be needed include:
- Proof of identity (e.g., driver’s license, state ID, or passport)
- Proof of relationship to the deceased if you are a relative
- Documentation that shows the legal reason for requesting the record, such as a court order
To obtain an Arkansas death record, eligible requesters can visit the Arkansas Department of Health to order a copy online or in person at a local public health unit.
Accessing Arkansas Death Records
Online Application
Arkansas death records can be obtained through the Arkansas Department of Health for records less than 50 years old. To access these records, requesters must provide proof of their identity and, in some cases, may require a court order if they don’t have a direct relationship with the deceased individual.
To submit an online application, visit the Death Certificate Search and Order Service and follow the instructions provided. Note that this service only covers death certificates from 1935 to 1961.
In-Person Request
For in-person requests, visit your local county clerk’s office or the Arkansas Department of Health’s (ADH) Vital Records Division. Remember to bring a copy of your ID and any additional documentation required, such as a court order. The ADH address is as follows:
Arkansas Department of Health
Vital Records, Slot 44
4815 West Markham Street
Little Rock, AR 72205
Mail Order
To order a death record by mail, complete the death certificate order form and mail it along with a check or money order made out to the Arkansas Department of Health. It’s important to include a copy of your ID as well. Send your request to the following address:
Arkansas Department of Health
Vital Records, Slot 44
4815 West Markham Street
Little Rock, AR 72205
Information Contained in Arkansas Death Records
Arkansas death records are crucial for researchers and individuals looking to uncover information about a deceased person. These records often contain important details such as name, date of death, county of death, and source of information. The Arkansas Department of Health, Vital Records Division maintains vital records, including death certificates. Additionally, there are various indexes and other resources available to access death records.
Death Certificates and Indexes
Death certificates are an essential source of information, as they generally contain the decedent’s first name, last name, date of death, county of death, and the cause of death. Arkansas’ death records index is a valuable resource for locating death records dating back to 1812 up to 2006. The index can provide researchers with information such as the name of the deceased, date of death, and source of the record (e.g., church publications, cemetery records, mortality censuses, newspaper obituaries).
Mortality Statistics
Mortality statistics are essential for understanding the health of a population, as they track the number of deaths that occur within a specific time frame. The Arkansas Department of Health typically compiles mortality statistics, which can be useful for researchers interested in the overall health and well-being of a particular area or demographic group.
Cemetery Records
Cemetery records can provide valuable information about the deceased, such as the burial location, date of death, and, in some cases, biographical details or obituaries. Obituaries often include the deceased’s name, age, death date, and relatives. While cemetery records may not always include the cause of death, they can be a helpful resource, particularly for older deaths not included in Arkansas’ vital records system. To locate cemetery records, consider checking the digitalheritage.arkansas.gov website.
Fees and Processing
Costs and Payment Options
In Arkansas, obtaining a death certificate involves paying certain fees. The cost for a certified copy of a death record is $10 and for each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time, a fee of $8 is charged. A non-refundable $5 processing fee is also applied to the total amount 1.
For ordering death records online, an additional $1.85 identification verification fee is charged. Payment can be made through various methods, such as checks or money orders made payable to the “Arkansas Department of Health”. Credit and debit card payments are also accepted for online and walk-in requests 2.
Processing Time
After submitting a complete and accurate application, the processing time for a death record request depends on the method you chose. Mail orders generally take 10-14 days to process, in addition to mail delivery time 1. For walk-in requests at the Arkansas Department of Health Vital Records office, the processing is typically faster and may be completed within the same day 3.
Refunds
As mentioned earlier, there is a $5 non-refundable processing fee for each death record application 2. In case your request cannot be fulfilled due to insufficient or incorrect information, this fee will not be refunded. Be sure to provide accurate and adequate information while making the request to avoid any loss of processing fee.
Other Vital Records in Arkansas
Apart from death records, there are other vital records in Arkansas that are essential for various purposes. These include birth, marriage, and divorce records. All these records are primarily maintained by the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH).
Birth Records
Arkansas birth records are crucial documents that provide information about an individual’s birth, such as the date and place, parental details, and other related data. As these records are vital for various governmental and legal processes, obtaining a certified copy is often necessary for purposes like passport applications and social security registration.
To obtain a certified copy of a birth record, you can visit the ADH Vital Records office located in Little Rock, or you can order it online, by phone, or through mail. It’s essential to provide relevant information, such as the individual’s name, date of birth, parents’ names, and your relationship to the person, if applicable.
Marriage Records
Marriage records offer valuable information about individuals’ marital status, including data on their spouses, marriage date, and location. These records also help in vital statistics compilation and provide historical and genealogical data for families.
In Arkansas, you can request a marriage certificate from the ADH by visiting their office in Little Rock or ordering online, by phone, or mail. To request a certified copy of a marriage record, you need to provide essential details, such as the names of both parties, the date of marriage, and, in some cases, proof of identity.
Divorce Records
Divorce records document the end of a marriage and contain information such as the parties’ names, age, date of divorce, and the court that granted the divorce. These records serve as essential proof for validating an individual’s marital status for legal proceedings, remarriage, and other purposes.
To access divorce records in Arkansas, you can contact the ADH Vital Records office by visiting them in Little Rock, or by ordering the records online, by phone, or through mail. It’s necessary to provide relevant information, including the names of both parties, the date of divorce, your relationship to the persons involved, and, in some cases, a valid photo ID.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I access Arkansas death records online?
Yes, you can access Arkansas death records online through the Arkansas Department of Health. They offer an online application process for ordering certified copies of death records.
Is it possible to get a free death certificate?
No, obtaining a death certificate in Arkansas is not free. There is a $10 fee for a certified copy of a death record, and each additional copy in the same order costs $8. Online applications also include a non-refundable $5 fee for standard processing and a $1.85 identity verification fee, according to StateRecords.org.
What years are covered in Arkansas death records?
Arkansas death records are available from February 1, 1914, to the present. For records before 1914, you can try searching at the local county level, where older records may have been archived or through genealogy resources.
How can I search for death records by name?
To search for death records by name, you can visit the Arkansas Department of Health website and fill out an application form that includes the deceased’s full name, date of death, and place of death.
What information is needed to obtain a death certificate?
To obtain a death certificate, you will need to provide the deceased’s full name, date of death, place of death, and your relationship to the deceased. You will also need to provide your own identification, such as a driver’s license or passport, and the appropriate fees.
Are obituaries considered public records in Arkansas?
Obituaries are not official public records like death certificates, but they are public documents published in newspapers or online. They often provide valuable information about a person’s life, including their surviving family members, hobbies, and accomplishments.