Utah Vital Records: Difference between revisions

=== Death Records  ===

 

Death records are a great place to begin research for ancestors because of the wealth of information that may be found. Death registers or certificates will contain the name of the deceased, date and place of death, may contain cause of death and place of burial. They may also contain the age of the individual, birthdate and place, parents and place of their birth, marital status, spouse, and place of residence.  

 

==== '''County Records''' ====

 

Although a few counties kept earlier records, most counties began keeping ledger entries of births and deaths in 1898 to comply with a state law. County records to 1905 are kept in the county clerk's office. Since 1905 county birth and death records have been sent to the Bureau of Vital Records. Some of the local county health departments have retained copies of these records.  

 

===== '''Index to County Level Death Records''' =====

 

:*'''1898–1905''' — There is an index to all early county death records except Salt Lake County. The index includes name, sex, age, death date, county page number, and entry or registration number. Utah Genealogical Association. Professional Genealogists Chapter. ''Utah Death Index, 1898–1905, Excluding Salt Lake County''. <ref>Salt Lake City, Utah: Society, 1995. (Family History Library {{FHL|738116|title-id|disp=FHL Book 979.2 V42u}}.) </ref>

 

==== '''State Records ''' ====

 

[[Image:Image example.jpg|right|500px|Utah Death Certificate Example]] A death certificate may contain information as to the name of the deceased, date of death, and place of death, as well as the age, birthdate, parents, gender, marital status, spouse and place of residence.

 

 

 

State registration of deaths began in 1905 and was generally complied with by 1917. Before 1905, you may contact county offices or the Utah State Archives. Utah requires a death certificate before a burial is completed.  

 

===== '''Online Indexes and Certificates Images for State Level Records''' =====

 

:*'''1904–1963''' — The [http://archives.utah.gov/digital/81448.htm Utah State Archives] posts digital copies of death records online as they become public 50 years after the death. This index is probably the most up-to-date, with the exception of indexes in progress for recently released records. There is not a regular schedule for updates, though access to public records is always available through its [http://historyresearch.utah.gov Research Center].<br>

 

:*'''1904–1956''' — {{RecordSearch|1747615|Utah Death Certificates 1904–1956}} This is an index with digital images of death certificates and the film number attached. Additions are planned in partnership with the Utah State Archives.<br>  

:*'''1904-1961''' — Ancestry.com ($) also posts copies of Utah death certificates more than 50 years old, ''Utah, Death and Military Death Certificates, 1904-1961'' ([http://search.ancestryinstitution.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=9174 In Library], [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=9174 Ancestry.com])<br>

 

===== Certified Copies of Utah State Death Certificates  =====

 

For information about death records less than 50 years old and certified copies of all state death certificates, contact:<br>'''[http://health.utah.gov/vitalrecords/ Utah State Department of Health]'''<br>288 North 1460 West Street<br>Salt Lake City, UT 84114<br>Telephone: 801-538-6105 (recorded message)<br>  

 

Also see the [http://archives.utah.gov/research/guides/death-obtaining.htm Research Guide on Obtaining Death Records] from the Utah State Archives for a list of local/county health departments also able to provide certified copies of vital records (including some before 1905).