death certificate

noun

: an official document that gives information about a person's death (such as when and how the death happened)

Examples of death certificate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But a medical examiner's death certificate lists a man with Baena's name and date of birth dying at a residence in Hollywood. —Chloe Veltman, NPR, 4 Jan. 2025

The 54-year-old hip-hop star (né Reggie Gibson) died on Nov. 19 of septic shock and enterocolitis, according to a death certificate obtained by TMZ. —Rachel Desantis, People.com, 19 Dec. 2024

Her death certificate lists cardiovascular disease as the cause of death. —Jessica Goodheart, USA TODAY, 27 Dec. 2024

The World Series champion, who died right before the 2024 iteration of the team captured its championship over the New York Yankees, died of septic shock last month, TMZ Sports first reported, citing his death certificate. —Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 14 Nov. 2024

Legal Definition

death certificate

noun

: a document setting forth information (as age, occupation, and place of birth) relating to a dead person and including a doctor's certification of the cause of death

Note: Death certificates are issued by a particular public official, as a city or town clerk. A death certificate is required to document a person's death for certain purposes, as to file an estate tax return or to probate an estate.