Denver City Obituary Records

Finding Denver obituary records starts with knowing the right offices to contact. The Denver Department of Public Health and Environment maintains death certificates for all deaths in the city. Denver Public Library hosts extensive obituary indexes through their Western History Department. You can search these Denver death records online, by mail, or in person. This guide shows you where to look for Denver obituary records. Learn how to access vital records in Colorado's capital city.

Denver Vital Records Office

The Denver Department of Public Health and Environment serves as the main office for Denver death certificates. This agency issues certified copies for deaths that occurred within Denver city limits. Staff process requests daily. They help families obtain the vital records they need. The DDPHE office sits downtown for easy access.

You can reach the Denver office by calling 311 from within the city. Outside Denver, dial 720-913-1311. Staff answer questions about death certificate requests. They explain what documents you need to bring. The office hours follow standard business schedules. Call ahead to confirm current hours.

DDPHE can issue death certificates for Denver deaths only. This is important to remember. The city maintains records for deaths within its boundaries. For deaths in other Colorado counties, contact the state office or that county's health department. Denver staff can guide you to the right office if needed.

Under C.R.S. § 25-2-118, Denver follows state rules for issuing death certificates. Only eligible requesters receive certified copies. These include immediate family members. Legal representatives qualify as well. Proof of relationship is always required at the Denver office.

Denver Public Library Obituary Resources

The Denver Public Library maintains one of the best obituary collections in Colorado. Their Western History and Genealogy Department has spent decades indexing death notices. The Denver Obituary Project covers local newspapers from 1913 to 2016. Staff created PDF indexes organized by year range. You can download these files for free.

The library is located at 10 W. 14th Ave. Parkway in Denver. The phone number is 720-865-1821. Staff can help you navigate the obituary indexes. They assist with research requests. The Western History Department specializes in Colorado genealogy. Their Denver death records collection is unmatched in the state.

Beyond the Denver Obituary Project, the library offers other resources. The Colorado Obituary Project indexes non-Denver obituaries from the 1970s through 1990. HeritageHub provides access to modern obituaries from the Denver Post. Coverage begins around 1990. These databases help bridge gaps in official death records.

Specialized indexes serve diverse research needs. The Colorado Statesman Index covers African American obituaries from 1904 to 1954. The Intermountain Jewish News Obituary Index spans 1918 to 2011. Cemetery records for Crown Hill, Fairmount, and Riverside are available. These niche collections complement Denver's main obituary records.

Note: Reference staff can guide you through the research process and help locate specific Denver obituary entries.

Online Obituary Search in Denver

Denver obituary records are available through several online databases. The Denver Public Library offers free access to their indexes. You can search from home without visiting the library. Download PDF files directly from their website. These cover decades of Denver death notices.

Newspaper websites publish recent Denver obituaries. The Denver Post maintains an online obituary section. Families post death notices and service details. Legacy.com aggregates obituaries from Denver funeral homes. You can search by name or browse recent listings.

FindAGrave lists Denver cemetery records online. Users contribute photos of headstones and burial locations. GPS coordinates help you find graves in person. The site links family members together. Virtual memorials honor the deceased. Many genealogists start their Denver research here.

The Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection provides free digitized papers. Search over 7.5 million pages from across the state. Papers span from 1859 to 2025. Denver publications appear in this collection. These historic newspapers contain valuable death notices.

Death Certificate Fees and Ordering

Denver follows state fee guidelines for death certificates. First copies cost $25. Each additional copy ordered at the same time costs $20. These fees apply at the Denver Department of Public Health. Payment is required before records are released.

You have several ways to order Denver death certificates. In-person requests at the DDPHE office offer same-day service. Bring valid photo ID and proof of eligibility. Walk-in hours are typically Monday through Friday. Appointments may be required. Call 311 or 720-913-1311 to confirm.

Online ordering works through third-party services. GoCertificates charges a $9 service fee on top of state costs. VitalChek adds $7.50 for their service. Both sites let you order from home. Processing takes about 5 to 10 business days. You will need to upload ID and relationship proof.

Mail requests take longer but avoid extra fees. Download the application from CDPHE. Include a copy of your ID and proof of relationship. Mail your request to the Denver office. Allow 30 business days for processing. Include a check or money order for the correct amount.

Note: Colorado law sets these fees under C.R.S. § 25-2-118 to fund vital records operations statewide.

Genealogy Research in Denver

Family historians find rich resources for Denver genealogy research. Start with the Denver Obituary Project at the public library. These indexes cover over a century of local deaths. Cross-reference names with census records. Check city directories for addresses and occupations. Build accurate family trees with multiple sources.

Cemetery records reveal Denver family connections. Crown Hill Cemetery, Fairmount Cemetery, and Riverside Cemetery maintain burial registers. These show plot locations and grave numbers. Some include cause of death or birthplace. Contact cemetery offices directly for these Denver vital records.

Church records supplement civil death records in Denver. Religious organizations kept early burial records. They may have memorial service programs. Some churches published member histories. These contain biographical details. Contact Denver churches for access to their archives.

Probate records offer valuable information for Denver researchers. When someone died, their estate went through court. These files list heirs and property. They establish family relationships. Colorado probate records are public documents. Denver courts maintain these files for researcher access.

Nearby Resources for Obituary Records

If you cannot find a Denver death record, check neighboring counties. The person may have died just outside city limits. Each county maintains its own death records. You may need to search multiple counties. Nearby resources can fill gaps in your research.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment provides statewide death certificates. Their office sits at 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South in Denver. Call 303-692-2000 for assistance. They issue certificates for deaths in any Colorado county.

The Colorado State Archives holds pre-1908 death records. Visit them at 1313 Sherman Street in Denver. Their collection includes early burial permits and coroner's records. These help with pioneer ancestor research. Appointments are required for visits.