Aurora Obituary Records Search
Finding Aurora obituary records requires knowing where to search in this large metro city. Aurora spans both Adams County and Arapahoe County. Death records from Aurora fall under different health departments based on location. You may need to check both counties when searching for Aurora death certificates. This guide shows you how to find Aurora obituary records and vital records for this Colorado city. Learn which offices serve your area.
Aurora City Government Resources
The City of Aurora provides many services to residents. While the city does not issue death certificates directly, they connect people to county resources. Aurora works with both Adams and Arapahoe counties to serve residents. Understanding which county serves your address helps you find Aurora death records faster.
Aurora is Colorado's third-largest city. Many families have lived here for generations. Obituary records from Aurora help tell their stories. Death notices appear in local papers. Cemetery records document final resting places. These Aurora vital records support family history research across both counties serving the city.
Note: Aurora residents should verify their county jurisdiction before visiting vital records offices.
County Vital Records Offices Serving Aurora
Two counties serve Aurora residents. The Adams County Health Department provides death certificates for northern and western Aurora. Their office sits at 7190 Colorado Blvd., Suite 170, in Commerce City. You can reach them at 720-200-1401. Email questions to VitalRecords@adamscountyco.gov. This office issues death certificates for any Colorado county death.
The Arapahoe County Public Health Department serves eastern and southern Aurora. They also provide death certificates for any Colorado death. Email them at VitalRecords@arapahoegov.com. Both counties follow state fee schedules. First copies cost $25. Additional copies ordered together cost $20 each.
Choosing the right county office saves time. Both offer same-day service for in-person requests. Appointments may be required. Call ahead to confirm hours and requirements. Bring valid photo ID and proof of relationship. These counties help Aurora families obtain vital records quickly.
Where to Find Aurora Obituaries
Local newspapers publish Aurora obituary notices regularly. The Aurora Sentinel covers city news and death announcements. Denver-area papers also include Aurora obituaries in their metro coverage. Check online archives for recent notices. Many Aurora families publish obituaries to honor loved ones. These notices often include service details and family information.
Libraries preserve historical Aurora obituary records. The Aurora Public Library maintains local history collections. They may have newspaper archives on microfilm. Staff can help you search for older obituaries. Call your nearest branch for assistance with Aurora death records research.
Funeral homes in Aurora create service records. These may include obituary copies and service programs. Contact funeral directors directly for recent records. They often keep files for many years. Aurora funeral records supplement official death certificates.
Cemetery records offer another source for Aurora death information. Local cemeteries maintain burial registers. These show who is buried where. Some include birth and death dates. Contact cemetery offices directly for these Aurora vital records.
Online Resources for Aurora Death Records
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment offers online ordering for Aurora death certificates. Use GoCertificates or VitalChek for third-party service. Both charge extra fees beyond state costs. Processing takes about thirty business days. Online ordering works from anywhere. You do not need to visit an office for Aurora death records.
The Denver Public Library provides free obituary indexes. Their Denver Obituary Project covers 1913 to 2016. The Colorado Obituary Project includes non-Denver notices from the 1970s to 1990. Aurora obituaries may appear in both collections. Visit the library at 10 W. 14th Ave. Pkwy. in Denver. Call 720-865-1821 for research help.
Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection offers free digitized papers. Search over 7.5 million pages from across the state. Papers span 1859 to 2025. You might find Aurora obituaries in Denver-area publications. This free database supports genealogy research throughout Colorado.
Legacy.com aggregates current obituaries from across Colorado. Search by name or browse by city. This site helps find recent Aurora death notices. It often includes guest books for family messages. Online obituary databases supplement official Aurora vital records.
Note: The Colorado State Archives holds death records before 1908 for historical research purposes.
Aurora Genealogy Research Resources
Family historians find rich resources for Aurora genealogy research. Start with death certificates from county health departments. These provide names, dates, and family relationships. Census records show Aurora residents across decades. City directories list addresses and occupations. Combine these sources to build accurate family trees.
Cemetery records reveal Aurora family connections. Look for family plots in local cemeteries. Multiple generations may rest together. Burial records show relationships between the deceased. Photos of grave markers document family history. Find A Grave lists many Aurora burials online. These records support genealogy research with physical evidence.
Church records supplement civil death records in Aurora. Religious organizations often kept early burial records. They may have memorial service programs. Some churches publish anniversary histories. These contain biographical information about members. Contact Aurora churches directly for access to their archives.
Probate records offer genealogical gold for Aurora researchers. When someone died, their estate went through court. These files list heirs and property. They establish family relationships clearly. Colorado probate records are public documents. County courts maintain these Aurora death-related files. Researchers can access them for family history projects.
Ordering Aurora Death Certificates
Colorado law restricts access to recent death certificates. Under C.R.S. § 25-2-117, vital records remain confidential for 75 years. Only eligible requesters may obtain copies. These include immediate family members. Legal representatives may also request Aurora death certificates. Proper documentation is always required.
Spouses named on the death certificate may order copies. Parents listed on the record qualify as well. Adult children must show birth certificates proving the relationship. Siblings need proof of shared parentage. Funeral homes listed on the record may obtain copies. Insurance companies with policy proof may also request Aurora vital records.
In-person requests often provide same-day service. Bring completed application forms. Show valid photo identification. Present proof of relationship documents. Pay the required fee of $25 for the first copy. Additional copies cost $20 each when ordered together. Both Adams and Arapahoe counties offer this service for Aurora residents.
Mail orders work well for those who cannot visit in person. Download the death certificate application from CDPHE. Complete all required fields. Include a copy of your ID. Attach proof of relationship. Mail with payment to the appropriate county office. Allow extra processing time for mail requests of Aurora death records.
Note: Death certificates become public records after 75 years from the date of death.
Related Aurora Resources
Explore these related resources for more help with Aurora obituary records. County offices serve different parts of the city. State agencies provide additional support. Libraries and archives preserve historical documents. Together these resources help you find Aurora death records and vital records.