Contacts to help you make final arrangements
Death Certificate Information in Arizona Counties
Arizona Department of Health Services Office of Vital Records
1818 West Adams Street
Phoenix, Arizona 85007
(602)364-1300
http://www.azdhs.gov/vitalrcd
One of the most important documents you need to settle the affairs of your loved one is a certified death certificate. The death certificate is the official legal record of death. Insurance companies, the Social Security Administration, banks, financial institutions and other agencies may request certified copies of the death certificate as proof of death. Certified copies are printed on paper that cannot be easily duplicated and there is a fee for each additional copy. In Arizona, that fee is $10.00 per copy. Vital records will issue one for Social Security and one for Veterans purposes for free (to be used for government purposes only).
Social Security Information- Phoenix Office
Social Security Administration
16241 North Tatum Blvd.
Phoenix, Arizona 85032
(800) 772-1213
Business hours: 7am-7pm
http://www.ssa.gov/
The funeral home or organization handling the filling of the death certificate will file for SSA-721 or a "Statement of Death." You must contact a local Social Security Office to file for the lump sum death benefit. Social Security currently pays $255.00 to the surviving spouse as a death benefit. This is a one time payment. If monthly benefits were being paid via direct deposit, it is important to notify the bank accepting those deposits and request that any funds received for the month of death and beyond be returned to Social Security as soon as possible. If these benefits were paid via a monthly check return them to Social Security as soon as possible. Do not cash the checks or you may be responsible for repayment.
If you are receiving disability or retirement benefits on your spouse's record when he or she dies, the Social Security Administration will change your payments to survivor benefits. If you are receiving benefits on your own record, you may apply for survivor benefits. Contact the Social Security Administration to determine if you can receive better benefits as a widow or widower. Benefits for your children, if applicable, will be changed automatically to survivor benefits following the report of death to that office.
Internal Revenue Service
Federal
Internal Revenue Service
http://www.irs.gov
(602) 207-8031
State of Arizona
Arizona Department of Revenue- Phoenix Office
http://www.revenue.state.az.us
(602) 255-3381
The Internal Revenue Service offers several free pamphlets that may be helpful including, "Survivors, Executors and Administrotors", Publication #559 and "introduction to Estate and Gift Taxes", publication #950. The websites above are a wonderful reference guide to all the forms that the Internal Revenue Service provides. The forms can be downloaded onto your computer or you can request them over the phone for them to be sent to your residence.
Veterans Administration
Decedent Affairs
650 East Indian School Road
Phoenix, Arizona 85012
(602) 277-5551 Ext. # 7203
(800) 827-1000
http://www.phoenix.med.va.gov/
National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona
23029 North Cave Creek Road
Phoenix, Arizona 85024
(480) 513-3600
http://www.cem.va.gov
All honorably discharged veterans are entitled to a grave, minimum vault and marker at the Arizona Veterans National Cemetery. Space is available for cremated remains. Additional benefits may apply if the death occured in a VA facility or if the veteran is under special VA care. When you or your family wishes to utilize any portion of the VA benefits, it wise and time saving to have a copy of the veterans discharge papers (form DD214). If you are unable to locate the document, you may contact:
The National Archives and Records Administration
8601 Adelphi Road
College Park, MD 20740-6001
(866) 272-6272
http://www.archives.gov/facilities/mo/st_louis/military_personnel_records
