Lakewood Death Certificate Access
Searching for death records in Lakewood starts at the Jefferson County Public Health office. The city sits within Jefferson County limits. All deaths that take place in Lakewood get recorded here. The vital records office keeps files from 1903 to the present. You can get certified copies of death certificates for legal needs. This includes settling estates and filing insurance claims. The process is simple. You need to show valid ID. You must prove your relationship to the deceased. This guide covers all you need to know about obtaining Lakewood death records.
Lakewood Death Records Quick Facts
Where to Get Lakewood Death Records
Jefferson County Public Health maintains all death records for Lakewood. The main office sits in Golden at 800 Jefferson County Parkway, Suite 1300, Golden, CO 80401. The office is open Monday through Friday. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You can call 303-271-6450 with questions. The fax number is 303-271-6451.
The office holds death records for all of Jefferson County. This includes every city within the county. Lakewood residents can visit this office in person. They can also use mail, fax, or email. Each method has its own process. Staff at the office can guide you through each step. They are trained to help with all vital records requests.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment offers another option. Their office is at 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South in Denver. You can call them at 303-692-2200. This state office can issue death certificates for any death in Colorado. That includes all deaths that took place in Lakewood. Some people prefer the state office. Others find the Jefferson County office more convenient.
How to Request Lakewood Death Records
Jefferson County Public Health offers several ways to request Lakewood death certificates. You can visit the office in person. You can send a request by mail. You may fax your application. Email requests are also accepted. Choose the method that works best for your needs.
In-person visits offer the fastest service. You can get same-day copies in most cases. Bring a valid driver's license or state ID. You must also bring proof of your relationship to the deceased. Payment can be made by cash, check, or credit card. MasterCard and Visa are accepted.
Mail orders work well if you live far from Golden. Send your request to 800 Jefferson County Parkway, Suite 1300, Golden, CO 80401. Include a completed application form. Add a copy of your ID. Enclose payment by check or money order. Make checks payable to Jefferson County Public Health. Allow several weeks for processing.
Note: The Jefferson County Vital Records office accepts MasterCard, Visa, checks, and cash for all death certificate orders.
Lakewood Death Certificate Fees
The cost for Lakewood death certificates follows state guidelines. The first copy costs $25. Each extra copy in the same order costs $20. These fees are set by the state of Colorado. Jefferson County Public Health collects these fees for all death records requests.
You can save money by ordering all copies at once. The fee drops after the first copy. Plan ahead and get all the certificates you need. This avoids paying the full $25 rate later. There is no refund if the record cannot be found. Check your facts before you order. Verify the spelling of names. Confirm the date of death.
Credit card payments include a small processing fee. This fee goes to the card processor. Jefferson County does not keep this money. You can avoid this fee by paying with cash or check. Ask staff about all payment options when you place your order.
Who Can Order Lakewood Death Certificates
Lakewood death records are not public under C.R.S. § 25-2-117. The law limits who can get copies. This protects the privacy of the deceased and their families. Jefferson County Public Health checks each request carefully. They make sure you have a legal right to the record.
Immediate family members can order death certificates. This includes the spouse of the person who died. Parents qualify. Children may request copies. Siblings are also eligible. Each person must show proof of their relationship. A marriage certificate proves spousal ties. A birth certificate shows parent or child links.
Other people may also get Lakewood death records. The law allows access to those with direct and tangible interest. This includes legal representatives. Insurance companies can request copies. Estate administrators need court papers. Each case is reviewed on its own merits.
What Lakewood Death Certificates Contain
A Lakewood death certificate shows key facts about the deceased. It lists their full legal name. It shows their date of birth. The document states where they lived. It records when and where the death took place. Some versions include the cause of death. Others show just the legal facts.
The standard death certificate has all information. This includes both legal and medical details. Most legal matters need this type. Banks require it for estate work. Courts ask for it in probate cases. Insurance companies need it for claims. When you order from Jefferson County, you get a certified copy. It has an official seal. This proves the document is real.
Legal Rules for Lakewood Death Records
Under C.R.S. § 25-2-110, all deaths in Colorado must be filed within 72 hours. This rule applies to Lakewood. Funeral homes and doctors must follow it. Records enter the system quickly. Recent deaths appear in the database within days.
The law requires certain facts on every death certificate. This includes the full name of the deceased. It needs the date and place of death. The cause of death must be recorded. A doctor or coroner must sign the document. These rules ensure accuracy. They create a clear record for all Lakewood deaths.
Note: Jefferson County Public Health can issue birth certificates from 1903 to present for any Colorado county, not just Jefferson County.
Fixing Errors on Lakewood Death Certificates
Sometimes a Lakewood death certificate has mistakes. Names may be spelled wrong. Dates might be incorrect. The place of death could be wrong. Jefferson County Public Health cannot fix these errors. All corrections must go through the state office.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment handles amendments. Contact them at 303-692-2200. They will tell you what forms to complete. You must send proof of the correct facts. A birth certificate may show the right name. There is a $25 fee for corrections. The process takes about 30 days.
After the state approves the change, they issue a new certificate. Jefferson County Public Health can then make copies of the fixed record. Start the correction process as soon as you spot an error. Delays can cause problems with legal matters.
Jefferson County Death Records
Lakewood is one of the largest cities in Jefferson County. The city sits just west of Denver. All deaths that occur in Lakewood are filed with Jefferson County Public Health. The county office serves Lakewood and all other cities in the county. For more details on the county vital records system, additional office locations, and related resources, visit the Jefferson County death records page.