Death Records Now

YES.. . those are most certainly public records.
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Yes. They are usually maintained by the Office of Vital Records for your state.
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usually only immediate family
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Yes they are public records.
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Adoptions can be sealed by a judge.
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You must be one of the following "authorized" persons:
The registrant or parent or legal guardian of the registrant. A child, grandparent grandchild, sibling, spouse or domestic partner of the registrant. A party allowed to receive the record as a result of a court order, or an attorney or licensed adoption agency seeking the birth record in order to comply with the requirements of Family Code. An attorney representing the registrant or the registrant’s estate, or any person or agency empowered by statute or appointed by a court to act on behalf of the registrant or the registrant’s estate. A member of a law enforcement agency or a representative of another governmental agency, as provided by law, who is conducting official business. This varies from state to state.

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