(Warning: Typos Intact, Not Legal Advice)

I am a beneficiary of a term-life insurance policy. What happens if the next of kin will not give me a death certificate?

My mother lived with a man for 17 years and he recently died. I am a beneficiary of a term life insurance that he took out and my mother is the beneficiary of some of his financial assets. The deceased’s family is not pleased that they did not get all of his assets. What happens if they do not give us a death certificate to that we can process our claims?

Answer: Instead of asking the next of kin about the death certificate, you should contact the Office of Vital Statistics in the county where the individual died. At the Office of Vital Statistics, you may need to provide a copy of the insurance policy to demonstrate your need for an official certified death certificate.

While death certificates were once public records, current procedures often require you to provide proof of entitlement and need. Additionally, many insurance companies now use the Social Security Death Index, which is available online, and may not require a certified death certificate. It’s a good idea to call the insurance company directly to determine whether a death certificate is necessary in your case.