Find Alamosa County Obituaries

Alamosa County obituary records are available through San Luis Valley Health and the Colorado Department of Public Health. Death certificates from 1975 to present can be requested at the local health office in Alamosa. The San Luis Valley Health system serves multiple counties in the region. Finding death records in Alamosa County requires proper identification and proof of relationship. Local resources and state archives offer additional options for your search.

San Luis Valley Health Vital Records for Alamosa County

San Luis Valley Health provides vital records services for Alamosa County residents. Their office is at 106 Blanca Avenue, Alamosa, CO 81101. You can contact them at 719-589-4509. This facility serves several counties in the San Luis Valley region. Alamosa County shares resources with Conejos, Costilla, Mineral, Rio Grande, and Saguache Counties.

Death certificates are available for any Colorado county death from 1975 to the present. If you need records from before 1975, contact the state vital records office instead. The local office can issue certified copies on the same day for most requests.

Current fees for Alamosa County death certificates follow state guidelines. The first copy costs $25 as of January 1, 2026. Additional copies ordered at the same time cost $20 each. Credit card payments may incur a small convenience fee.

Alamosa County government maintains local records but refers vital statistics to the health department. The county offices can direct you to the right resources for your needs.

Colorado State Resources for Alamosa County Death Records

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment holds all state death records. Their Denver office processes requests from Alamosa County residents. You can order by mail, online, or through an approved vendor. State offices handle pre-1975 records that local offices cannot access.

Under Colorado Revised Statutes § 25-2-117, vital records remain confidential. Only qualified applicants may receive certified copies. You must prove your relationship to the deceased or show legal authority to obtain the record.

Immediate family members include spouses, parents, children, and siblings. Each must provide documentation showing the connection. A birth certificate or marriage license typically satisfies this requirement. Legal guardians need court orders.

The state ordering portal displays current processing times. Mail requests take longer than online orders through VitalChek or GoCertificates. Expect extra fees when using third-party services.

Finding Alamosa County Obituaries in Newspapers

Newspaper obituaries offer more detail than death certificates alone. Local papers in Alamosa County publish death notices and life stories. These records help family historians learn about their ancestors. They also provide community context for researchers.

The Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection is a free online resource. It contains over 7.5 million digitized pages from across the state. You can search for Alamosa County obituaries from historical newspapers. The collection includes papers published in multiple languages.

When searching old newspapers, try different keywords. Terms like "died," "funeral," or "passed away" often appear instead of "obituary." Death notices might run days or weeks after the actual event. Be patient and search date ranges rather than single days.

Find A Grave lists cemeteries throughout Alamosa County. This free database includes burial locations and often photos of gravestones. Users add memorial pages with biographical details. You might find obituary transcriptions here too.

Genealogy Resources for Alamosa County

Family historians can access several resources for Alamosa County death records. The Colorado State Archives holds records before 1908. These include burial permits and death registers. Early records may be incomplete but still valuable.

Death certificates become public after 75 years. Records over 25 years old may be released for genealogical research. These copies are marked "For Genealogical Use Only." They cannot be used for legal purposes.

The FamilySearch Colorado Obituaries page offers guidance. This free resource links to databases and research tips. You can access records from home without cost.

Local libraries in Alamosa County may hold historical newspapers on microfilm. The Alamosa Public Library could have resources for obituary searches. Call ahead to ask about their collections.

Legal Requirements for Alamosa County Death Records

C.R.S. § 25-2-110 requires death certificates to be filed within 72 hours. This law ensures timely recording of all deaths in Colorado. Funeral homes and medical professionals must comply. The state uses an electronic death registration system.

Each death certificate must include the decedent's social security number when available. Medical certification lists the probable cause. These details help with public health tracking and legal matters. Alamosa County follows all state regulations.

Authorization for final disposition is required before burial or cremation. Cemeteries must record burial locations. Some records include GPS coordinates. This helps families locate graves in the future.

Note: Physical ID is required when requesting Alamosa County death certificates. Digital copies of identification are not accepted.