Paperwork After a Death in Utah: Death Certificates and Who to Notify
After a death, a handful of offices and accounts need to be told, and most of them will ask for a certified copy of the death certificate. This page lists who to notify and what can wait.
Most offices will ask for a certified copy of the death certificate, so order several at once. Utah Vital Records charges $35 for the first copy and $10 for each extra copy in the same order, and our guide to getting a death certificate in Utah covers how to order, how long it takes, and how many you’ll need.
How to notify Social Security
In most cases you don’t have to do anything. Funeral homes typically report deaths to the Social Security Administration directly as part of handling arrangements, so it’s worth confirming with the funeral home that this got done.
If no funeral home is involved, or you want to follow up yourself, call the SSA directly at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). Have the person’s Social Security number, date of birth, and date of death ready. Eligible spouses or children may be able to receive a one-time $255 death payment and ongoing survivor benefits. The SSA can walk you through eligibility when you call. See Social Security and survivor benefits for who qualifies.
Other agencies and accounts to notify
Beyond Social Security, a handful of other notifications tend to come up for most families. Not everything on this list will apply, and none of it has to happen today.
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Medicare, if the person was enrolledReported separately from Social Security; medicare.gov has a short online form.
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Employer or former employer, for benefits and final payHR can also confirm any life insurance offered through work.
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The post office, to forward or hold mailA simple form at usps.com; helps you see what still needs closing out.
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Utility, phone, and subscription accountsCan wait a few weeks. There’s rarely urgency here.
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Utah voter registrationThe county clerk can update this. It isn’t time-sensitive.
Where to get official help
These offices issue death certificates and can answer questions about them. Wayfinder isn’t one of them; we’re pointing you to the source.