Questions about Death Certificate

Are death certificates public? Can anyone access them? I'm asking because often times, celebrity death certs are published. My former co-worker is concerned because she doesn't want her son's cause of death to become public knowledge, and she's losing sleep over this.

Re: Questions about Death Certificate

I don't think they are easily accessible - you have to request them

Questions about Death Certificate

No, they’re not public.

Losing a child is a terrible tragedy regardless of how he died.

Re: Questions about Death Certificate

How sad to lose your son, and then have to worry that everyone is going to find out how This happened to someone I know recently. People have found out due to a line in the obituary. But, it makes us think no less of the person that passed, their family, etc.

Re: Questions about Death Certificate

No, they are not available to the general public.

In NYS death certificates are only available to:

Who is eligible to obtain a death certificate copy?
•The spouse, parent, child or sibling of the deceased
•Other persons who have a:
?documented lawful right or claim
?documented medical need
?New York State Court Order

There are two parts to a death certificate - the basic part with the date of death, etc. Then there is the part with the confidential cause of death. the list of people entitled to the confidential part is even smaller - only family members or the person in control of the estate.

Re: Questions about Death Certificate

Questions about Death Certificate

Thanks for your responses! It really helped.