Death certificates

Certified copies of death certificates are not required to claim social security “lump sum benefits” or to apply for“ survivor benefits.” Only a “verification” that the death has occurred is required. A Bowser-Minich funeral director will process the appropriate social security “verification” form and submit it to the social security office notifying them of the death.

The Department of Vital Records, which produces certified copies of death certificates,

assesses a charge of $20.00 per certificate.

Certified copies of a death certificate may be required for the following transactions:


  • Checking Accounts: the transfer of an individual checking account or a joint checking account if it is in the name of more than one person without the words “or” or ”and/or” appearing in the account’s ownership


  • Savings Accounts: the transfer of an individual savings account or a joint savings account if it is not an “and/or” type of account


  • Safe Deposit Boxes: the transfer of an individual safe deposit box or a safe deposit box in the name of other parties unless the ownership is listed as ”or”


  • Title of Real Estate Ownership: the transfer of each title of real estate ownership; this applies to property with the title taken as “Joint Tenancy with the Right of Survivorship”


  • Title of Ownership for all Registered Motor Vehicles: multiple names on the title does not apply if the word(s) “or” or “and/or” appear on the title between the names of the registered owners (NOTE-The funeral director can supply a PENDOT Form MV-39 which eliminates the need for a certified death certificate.)


  • Life Insurance Policies: one needed for each life insurance policy claim


  • Union Death Benefit: one needed for each death benefit claim for unions


  • Stocks: one needed for each transaction of stock whether sold or transferred separately


  • Bonds: one needed for the transfer or redemption of bonds


  • Treasury Bills (T-Bills): one needed for the transfer or redemption of treasury bills


  • Certificates of Deposit (CD’s): one is needed for the transfer or redemption of certificates of deposit


  • Money Market Accounts: one needed for transfer or redemption of money market accounts


  • IRA Accounts: one needed to “roll over” an IRA account


  • Federal and State Income Tax Returns: one needed for the federal tax return as well as the state tax return


  • Veteran’s Benefits: one must be submitted to receive any applicable veteran’s benefits


  • Utilities: the transfer of any utility to another’s name may necessitate the inclusion of a certified death certificate