Search Lakewood Death Records

Finding Lakewood obituary records means working with Jefferson County resources. This western suburb of Denver sits entirely within Jefferson County borders. Lakewood residents obtain death certificates through the county health department. Local libraries and state archives offer historical obituary records. This guide shows Lakewood families how to access these vital records quickly and legally.

Where to Find Lakewood Obituary Records

The Jefferson County Public Health Vital Records office serves Lakewood residents. Their office issues death certificates for any Colorado death. You can reach them at 303-271-6450. They are located at 645 Parfet Street in Lakewood. This office follows all state guidelines for issuing certified copies of vital records.

Jefferson County charges $25 for the first copy of a death certificate. Each extra copy in the same order costs $20. Fees follow the state schedule exactly. Payment methods include cash, check, and credit cards. Some payment types carry convenience fees. Call ahead to confirm current accepted methods. The office can often provide same-day service for in-person requests.

Lakewood residents should bring proper identification. A valid driver's license or state ID works. You must also show proof of relationship to the deceased. This rule applies to all Colorado death certificate requests. Eligible requesters include spouses, parents, children, and siblings. Legal representatives may also obtain copies with court documentation.

Death records from before 1975 may need special handling. Some older records are only available through the state office in Denver. Jefferson County can issue most certificates from 1975 to present. Contact the office to verify they have your specific Lakewood death record before visiting. This saves time and prevents unnecessary trips.

Colorado State Resources for Lakewood Residents

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment serves all Lakewood residents. Their Denver office maintains the master database of state death records. CDPHE can issue certificates for deaths occurring anywhere in Colorado. This includes deaths that happened in Lakewood or elsewhere in the state. The state office handles records dating back to 1900.

Lakewood families can order death certificates online through state-approved vendors. GoCertificates adds a $9 service fee to state costs. Their phone number is 800-324-6380. VitalChek charges a $7.50 surcharge. They can be reached at 866-632-2604. Both services ship certificates directly to Lakewood addresses. Processing takes about thirty business days for online orders.

The Colorado State Archives holds historical death records for Lakewood genealogy research. Their collection includes pre-1908 records from across Colorado. These are useful for tracing early Lakewood settlers. The archives also maintain probate records that supplement death certificates. Visit their Denver location at 1313 Sherman Street. Appointments are required for in-person research assistance.

Note: CDPHE processing times vary based on order volume, so plan accordingly when ordering Lakewood death records.

Online Obituary Databases for Lakewood

The Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection offers free access to digitized papers. This resource helps Lakewood researchers find historical obituaries. The collection spans from 1859 to 2025. It includes over 7.5 million pages from 945 newspaper titles. Lakewood obituaries may appear in Denver-area publications. Search by name or browse by date range.

Denver Public Library provides excellent obituary resources for Lakewood. Their Western History Department indexes Denver newspapers from 1913 to 2016. The Colorado Obituary Project covers non-Denver papers from the 1970s to 1990. Lakewood death notices may appear in both collections. Request full-text copies through their Special Collections department. The reference phone is 720-865-1821.

Legacy.com aggregates current obituaries from across Colorado. This site helps find recent Lakewood death notices. You can search by name or browse by city. The site includes guest books for leaving condolences. Coverage includes major Colorado newspapers and funeral home listings. This database fills gaps while official death certificates remain restricted.

Find A Grave offers free cemetery records for Lakewood researchers. Users contribute photos of grave markers from local cemeteries. GPS coordinates help locate specific burial sites. Family members often link to related memorials. This creates virtual family plots online. The site works well for finding burial locations in Lakewood and Jefferson County.

Ordering Lakewood Death Certificates

Colorado law governs who can obtain death certificates. C.R.S. § 25-2-117 states that vital records are confidential. Access is limited for 75 years after death. Only certain people qualify as eligible requesters. This protects family privacy while allowing legitimate access.

C.R.S. § 25-2-118 lists who has direct and tangible interest. Spouses named on the certificate may order copies. Parents listed qualify as well. Adult children must show birth certificates proving relationship. Siblings need proof of shared parentage. Funeral homes on the record may obtain copies. Insurance companies with policy proof may also request records.

In-person requests at Jefferson County often provide same-day service. Bring a completed application form. Show valid photo identification. Present proof of relationship documents. Pay the $25 fee for the first copy. Additional copies cost $20 each when ordered together. The office is conveniently located in Lakewood for local residents.

Mail orders work for Lakewood residents who prefer not to 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 Jefferson County Public Health. Allow extra processing time for mail requests. The office will mail certificates to your Lakewood address.

Lakewood Genealogy Research Resources

Family historians find many resources for Lakewood genealogy research. Start with death certificates from Jefferson County. These provide names, dates, and family relationships. Census records show Lakewood residents across decades. City directories list addresses and occupations. Combine these sources to build accurate family trees for Lakewood ancestors.

Jefferson County maintains historical records useful for genealogy. The county clerk's office holds older vital records. Some predate state registration requirements. Probate records establish family relationships clearly. These files list heirs and property details. County courts maintain these public documents. Researchers can access them for family history projects involving Lakewood residents.

Local cemeteries provide genealogy evidence for Lakewood families. Grave markers document birth and death dates. Family plots show relationships between generations. Burial records from cemetery offices add details. Some include causes of death or places of origin. Find A Grave lists many Lakewood burials with photos. These records support family history with physical evidence.

Church records supplement civil death records in Lakewood. Religious organizations kept early burial records. They may have memorial service programs. Some publish anniversary histories with member biographies. These sources add depth to official death certificates. Contact Lakewood churches directly for access to their archives. Many maintain records dating back several decades.

Note: Death certificates become public records after 75 years from the date of death.

Related Lakewood Resources

Explore these related resources for help with Lakewood obituary records. Jefferson County provides local vital records services. State agencies offer additional support. Libraries and archives preserve historical documents. Together these resources help you find Lakewood death records.