Adams County Obituary Records

Adams County death records are available through the county health department and the Colorado Department of Public Health. You can search obituary records from 1975 to the present at the Adams County Health Department office in Commerce City. Older records require a request to the state vital records office. Finding obituaries and death notices in Adams County takes time. Local libraries and online archives offer help.

Adams County Health Department Vital Records

The Adams County Health Department issues death certificates for any death that occurred in Colorado. Their office sits at 7190 Colorado Blvd., Suite 170, Commerce City, CO 80022. You can reach them by phone at 720-200-1401. The staff helps residents get the records they need fast.

You have several ways to request Adams County obituary records. Visit in person by appointment for same-day service. Email your request to VitalRecords@adamscountyco.gov with ID and payment info. Mail works too, with most requests processed within 3 to 5 business days. Online options include VitalChek and GoCertificates, though extra fees apply for these services.

The Adams County Health Department accepts cash, check, money order, and credit cards. Fees changed on January 1, 2026. The first copy now costs $25. Each extra copy in the same order costs $20. This applies to all Colorado death certificates, not just those from Adams County.

Visit the Adams County death certificate page to learn about current requirements. The health department serves all residents of Adams County who need vital records.

Note: Deaths that occurred before 1975 in Adams County require a request to the state vital records office rather than the county.

Colorado State Vital Records for Adams County

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment maintains all death records for the state. Their main office is at 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South, Denver, CO 80246. You can call them at 303-692-2200. This office handles requests for deaths that occurred anywhere in Colorado, including Adams County.

State law governs who can get certified copies of death certificates. Under C.R.S. § 25-2-118, immediate family members can request records. This includes spouses, parents, children, and siblings. Legal representatives with court orders may also obtain copies. Funeral homes listed on the certificate have access as well.

Grandparents and grandchildren cannot get death certificates based on relationship alone. You must show direct and tangible interest. This rule changed in recent years, so check current guidelines before you apply.

Colorado death certificates become public records 75 years after the death date. Records over 25 years old may be available for genealogical use with special marking. The state certificate ordering page shows current processing times.

Searching Obituaries in Adams County

Beyond official death certificates, you can find Adams County obituaries in newspapers and online archives. Local papers often publish death notices and memorial tributes. These sources give more details about the person's life than a certificate alone.

The Denver Public Library holds a vast collection of obituary indexes. Their Denver Obituary Project covers 1913 to 2016 from the Denver Post and Rocky Mountain News. Adams County residents may appear in these records if they had ties to the Denver area.

Find A Grave offers free access to cemetery and burial records in Adams County. Users contribute photos and memorial information. This can help you locate graves and learn more about family members. The site includes many Adams County cemeteries.

The Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection contains millions of digitized pages. This free resource includes papers from across the state. You can search for obituaries from old Adams County newspapers. The collection grows as more papers are scanned and added.

Who Can Request Adams County Death Records

Colorado law limits access to death certificates for privacy reasons. Under C.R.S. § 25-2-117, vital records remain confidential. Only certain people can get certified copies.

You can request an Adams County death certificate if you are the spouse, parent, or child of the deceased. Siblings and half-siblings also qualify. You must provide proof of your relationship. A birth certificate showing shared parents works for siblings.

Legal representatives may obtain records with proper court documents. Insurance companies can request copies when processing claims. Government agencies have access for official business. Genealogical researchers can get records over 25 years old marked for research use only.

When you apply for an Adams County death record, bring valid photo ID. The office requires physical ID, not digital copies. Documents must be clear and intact. This protects against fraud and identity theft.

Historical Death Records in Adams County

For deaths before 1975, you must use state-level resources. The Colorado State Archives holds pre-1908 death records. Deaths were not officially registered statewide until around 1908. Earlier records may exist but are not complete.

The State Archives offers burial permits, coroner's records, and death registers. These can supplement missing official certificates. You can search their online database or contact them at 303-866-2358. Their office is at 1313 Sherman St., Room 1B-20, Denver.

Note: The Adams County Clerk and Recorder maintains property and marriage records, but not death certificates. Always check with the health department for vital records needs.