Westminster Obituary Records Access
Finding Westminster obituary records requires checking two county offices. Westminster sits in both Adams County and Jefferson County. Most of the city is in Adams County. The southwestern portion extends into Jefferson County. Death records may be filed in either county. This depends on the exact location of death. This guide helps Westminster families access death certificates.
County Vital Records Offices Serving Westminster
The Adams County Health Department serves most Westminster residents. Their office is at 7190 Colorado Blvd., Suite 170, Commerce City. Call 720-200-1401 for information. Email VitalRecords@adamscountyco.gov. They issue death certificates for any Colorado death. Adams County is the primary resource for Westminster vital records.
The Jefferson County Public Health office serves southwestern Westminster. They are located at 645 Parfet Street in Lakewood. Reach them at 303-271-6450. Jefferson County can also issue certificates for any Colorado death. They follow the same state fee schedule. First copies cost $25. Additional copies are $20 each.
Both counties offer similar services to Westminster residents. You can visit either office. Colorado county health departments can issue certificates for any state death. Choose the location most convenient for you. Both recommend calling ahead to confirm requirements.
Westminster residents need proper documentation. Valid photo ID is required. Proof of relationship is necessary. This applies to all Colorado death certificate requests. Accepted payment methods vary. Most offices take cash, check, and credit cards. Some add convenience fees for cards.
Colorado State Resources for Westminster Residents
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment serves Westminster residents. Their Denver office maintains state death records. CDPHE handles certificates from 1900 to present. This includes all Westminster deaths. The state office adds to county services.
Westminster families can order death certificates online. GoCertificates adds a $9 service fee. Their phone is 800-324-6380. VitalChek charges $7.50 extra. Call 866-632-2604. Both ship to Westminster addresses. Online orders take about thirty business days.
The Colorado State Archives assists Westminster genealogists. They keep pre-1908 death records. These help trace early Colorado families. The archives also have probate records. These supplement death certificates. Visit by appointment in Denver. Call 303-866-2358 for help.
Note: The Colorado State Archives requires appointments for in-person research visits.
Online Obituary Databases for Westminster
The Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection offers free newspaper access. This helps Westminster researchers find obituaries. The collection includes 7.5 million pages. Papers range from 1859 to 2025. Over 945 titles are searchable. Westminster obituaries may be in regional papers. The site is free to use.
Denver Public Library provides obituary indexes. Their Denver Obituary Project spans 1913 to 2016. The Colorado Obituary Project covers other areas from the 1970s to 1990. Westminster deaths may appear in both. Request copies from Special Collections. The phone is 720-865-1821.
Legacy.com collects current Colorado obituaries. This helps find recent Westminster death notices. Search by name or location. Coverage includes all 64 counties. The site offers guest books. Legacy.com partners with newspapers. It helps while certificates stay private.
Find A Grave provides free Westminster cemetery records. Users upload grave photos. GPS coordinates help locate burials. Family links create virtual plots. This helps find Westminster burial sites. It works with official death records.
Ordering Westminster Death Certificates
Colorado restricts recent death certificate access. C.R.S. § 25-2-117 treats vital records as confidential. They remain private for 75 years. Only eligible requesters can obtain copies. This protects families under state law.
C.R.S. § 25-2-118 defines eligible requesters. Spouses on certificates may order. Parents listed qualify. Adult children need birth certificates. Siblings must prove shared parents. Funeral homes on records may obtain copies. Insurance companies with proof may request records.
In-person requests often give same-day service. Bring completed applications. Show valid photo ID. Present relationship proof. Pay $25 for the first copy. Additional copies are $20 each. Adams County may be closer for most Westminster residents.
Mail orders work for those who cannot visit. Download forms from CDPHE. Complete all fields. Include ID copy and proof. Mail with payment to the county. Allow extra processing time. Both counties mail to Westminster addresses.
Westminster Genealogy Research Resources
Westminster genealogists have many resources. Start with county death certificates. These provide names and dates. Census records show Westminster residents over time. Combine sources to build family trees.
Both counties maintain historical records. County clerks have older vital records. Some predate state registration. Probate records show family relationships. Files list heirs and property. Courts maintain these public documents. Researchers can access them for genealogy.
Cemetery records help Westminster genealogy. Grave markers show dates. Family plots reveal relationships. Burial records add details. Find A Grave lists many Westminster burials. These support family history research.
Historical societies may have Westminster resources. They sometimes keep obituary collections. Some have family files. Contact them for specialized help. They know local sources. They guide Westminster genealogy research.
Note: Grandparents and grandchildren no longer qualify for birth certificates based on relationship alone as of October 2024.
Related Westminster Resources
Explore these resources for Westminster obituary records. Both counties serve parts of the city. State agencies provide additional help.