Fort Collins Death Certificates
Searching for death records in Larimer County starts at the county Vital Records office in Fort Collins. Many families need these documents after losing a loved one. The process for obtaining death certificates in Larimer County follows Colorado state laws. You will need proper identification and proof of relationship to receive certified copies. The office serves all residents who need death records from any Colorado county. Understanding the requirements before you visit saves time. This guide explains how to get death certificates from Larimer County Vital Records.
Where to Get Larimer County Death Certificates
You can learn more about the death certificate process on the Larimer County Health Department death certificate page.
The Larimer County Health Department is located at 1525 Blue Spruce Drive, Fort Collins, CO 80524. This office issues death certificates for deaths that occurred anywhere in Colorado from 1975 to today. Their phone number is 970-498-6710 for questions about death records. Staff members provide professional service to families seeking these vital records. The Fort Collins location serves residents throughout Larimer County and beyond. You can reach them during business hours Monday through Friday. Their office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. They close daily from 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. for lunch. The office also closes for county holidays.
Visits to the Larimer County office require an appointment. Call 970-498-6710 to schedule your visit for death certificates. Walk-ins are not accepted for these vital records services. Appointments typically last 15 to 20 minutes. Arrive on time for your death records appointment. If you arrive more than 10 minutes late, you may need to reschedule. This policy helps keep wait times short for all families seeking death certificates. The staff works efficiently to process your death records request during your scheduled time slot.
How to Order Death Records
Larimer County offers three ways to request death certificates. Each method has its own steps and timeframes for obtaining these vital records. You can choose the option that works best for your situation and needs.
The first option is in-person by appointment. Call 970-498-6710 to book a time slot at the Fort Collins office. Bring your completed application and valid photo ID to your appointment for the death certificate. Staff will verify your documents and process your request for these vital records while you wait.
The second option is mail order. Print the death certificate application from the Larimer County website. Complete all sections carefully. Attach a copy of your valid ID to prove your eligibility for these death records. Mail everything to 1525 Blue Spruce Drive, Fort Collins, CO 80524. Include payment for the death certificates you need. Mail requests take longer than in-person visits but work well for those who live far from Fort Collins.
The third option is online ordering through VitalChek. This service adds a $7.50 surcharge to each death certificate order. You can order death records any time of day through this secure website. Upload your ID and relationship documents digitally. Choose your shipping speed for these vital records. Most online death certificate orders process within a few business days. This option works well for urgent needs or those who cannot visit Fort Collins.
Fees for Death Certificates in Larimer County
Costs for Larimer County death certificates changed recently. Effective January 1, 2026, the first death certificate costs $25. Each additional death certificate ordered at the same time costs $20. These fees apply to all ordering methods. Whether you visit Fort Collins in person, mail your request, or use VitalChek online, the base cost remains the same for these death records.
The VitalChek online service adds extra fees beyond the base death certificate cost. Their $7.50 surcharge applies to each death record order. Shipping costs vary based on speed. Standard mail is the cheapest option for these vital records. Expedited shipping costs more but delivers your death certificates faster. Plan your budget when ordering multiple copies of these documents. The Larimer County office accepts cash, check, or money order for in-person payments. Credit cards are accepted through VitalChek for online death records orders.
Note: Death certificates for deaths outside Larimer or Jackson County may take several business days to process if the death occurred between 1975 and 2013.
Types of Death Certificates Available
Larimer County issues three types of death certificates. Each type serves different purposes for families and legal matters. Understanding these options helps you choose the right death records for your needs.
The Standard or Long form death certificate is the most complete option. It includes all legal and medical information about the death. This version shows the cause of death as certified by a medical professional. Most families need this type for estate settlement and insurance claims. The Standard death certificate meets all legal requirements for these purposes.
The Legal death certificate contains all legal information but no medical details. This version proves the death occurred without showing sensitive health information. It works well for some banking and property transfer needs. The Legal death certificate costs the same as the Standard version at the Larimer County office.
The Verification of death is the shortest form available. It lists only basic facts such as name, date of death, and place of death. This version has limited legal use. It protects medical privacy but may not satisfy all agencies requiring death records. Ask the recipient which type of death certificate they need before ordering from Larimer County.
Confidentiality Under Colorado Law
Colorado law protects death records as confidential documents. C.R.S. § 25-2-117 establishes strict privacy rules for these vital records. Only certain qualified individuals may obtain certified copies of death certificates. This law applies to all death records in Larimer County and across Colorado.
Eligible requesters include immediate family members and legal representatives. You must prove your relationship to receive death certificates. Bring documents such as birth certificates or marriage licenses to the Fort Collins office. Staff will verify your eligibility before releasing any death records. These privacy protections prevent identity theft and protect family dignity during difficult times. Larimer County takes these rules seriously when handling death certificate requests.
Death Records Filing Requirements
C.R.S. § 25-2-110 sets the rules for filing death records in Colorado. Funeral directors must register deaths within specific timeframes. They submit death certificates to the local registrar or state office. The law requires accurate and complete information on each death record. This includes the cause of death, date, time, and location for these vital records.
Larimer County follows these state filing requirements carefully. Local funeral homes work with the Fort Collins office regularly. They understand the death certificate forms and processes. Proper filing ensures accurate death records for legal and historical purposes. Families should review death certificates soon after receipt to catch any errors early.
These filing rules create a complete state archive of death records. Every death certificate becomes part of Colorado's permanent records. The system helps families who need documents years later. It also supports public health research using aggregated death records data. Larimer County contributes to this important record-keeping system.
Special Access Portals
Larimer County provides special access for certain organizations. Funeral homes and crematoriums have dedicated portals for death records requests. These portals streamline the process for professionals who handle death certificates regularly. Government agencies also have special access for official business.
These specialized systems help process high volumes of death records efficiently. Funeral directors can submit multiple requests at once. The Fort Collins office processes these professional orders promptly. Government agencies use death certificates for various legal and administrative purposes. These special portals ensure timely access for those who need death records regularly.
Death Records From Other Counties
Larimer County can issue death certificates for deaths anywhere in Colorado from 1975 to present. However, some requests require extra processing time. If the death occurred outside Larimer or Jackson County between 1975 and 2013, processing may take several business days. The Fort Collins office must retrieve these death records from state databases.
For deaths outside Larimer or Jackson County before 1975, contact the county where the death occurred. Alternatively, you can contact the Colorado State Vital Records Office in Denver. Their phone number is 303-692-2200. The state office holds older death records from all Colorado counties. They can assist with historical death certificate requests.
Note: Corrections to death certificates cannot be made at the county level; contact the State Vital Records Office at 303-692-2200 for amendments.
Corrections and Amendments
Larimer County cannot make changes or corrections to death certificates. If you find an error on a death record, you must contact the state office. The Colorado State Vital Records Office handles all amendments. Their phone number is 303-692-2200 for questions about corrections.
The amendment process requires supporting documentation. You must prove the correct information for the death record. The state charges a fee for processing corrections to death certificates. This process can take several weeks to complete. Patience is important when fixing errors on these official documents. The Fort Collins office can explain the process but cannot make the changes themselves.
Cities Within Larimer County
Larimer County includes several cities that share the Fort Collins office for death records. Residents of these communities use the same 1525 Blue Spruce Drive location for death certificates. The main cities served include Fort Collins and Loveland. These are the largest population centers in Larimer County.
Both cities offer access to the same death records services. The Fort Collins location is easy to reach from most parts of Larimer County. Parking is available at the Health Department building. The facility is accessible to people with disabilities. Staff members understand the needs of families from all communities in Larimer County.
Smaller communities in Larimer County also use this office. These include Berthoud, Estes Park, Johnstown, and Windsor. Residents from these towns follow the same process for obtaining death certificates. The appointment system works for everyone regardless of which Larimer County city they call home.
Preparing for Your Appointment
Proper preparation ensures a smooth experience at the Larimer County office. Gather all required documents before your appointment for death certificates. You need valid photo ID such as a driver's license or passport. You also need proof of your relationship to the deceased. Birth certificates, marriage licenses, or court orders work well for this purpose.
Complete the application form before arriving in Fort Collins. This saves time during your 15 to 20 minute appointment slot. Double-check all names and dates for accuracy. Errors cause delays in processing your death records request. Bring payment for the death certificates you need. The office accepts cash, check, or money order.
Plan to arrive a few minutes early for your appointment. This gives you time to find parking and locate the office. If you are running late, call 970-498-6710 to inform the staff. Remember that arriving more than 10 minutes late may require rescheduling. Being prepared helps you get your death records without complications.
Related City Pages for Larimer County Death Records
Death records for specific cities within Larimer County may have additional local resources. Check these related pages for city-specific information about obtaining death certificates: