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Are death records public or are they private?

We got a call that my friend was dead. The family wouldn’t say how or why. We called the courthouse and they said only family is privy to that information. It has been a couple years and I’d like to dig for the information. I always thought circumstances of death are public record…but so far, since we are not provable family, we are unable to get information.

It amazes me how many celebrities die from drug overdoses, murder, auto-erotic-asphyxiation (INXS, David Carradine), DUI’s and other car crashes. We get to hear all the gory details when I’m sure the families would rather the information stay private. I’m not sure why I don’t have the same power as the media being a citizen of the USA.

If anyone has any tips on how I can get this information, please let me know.
I live in CA now but it happened in New York City where I used to live.

They are public information and you need to contact the county the friend died in to receive a copy of the death certificate.

BUT…as you said, families of the celebrities would like to have that information stay private. Please give the same respect to you friends family, whether you like them or not. Although it is public record, it it is still a private matter.

  1. ?????? ?Dolphin? ??????
    August 2nd, 2011 at 02:05 | #1

    Mind providing the state you are in?

    Death certificates in most states are public info, unless the death was criminal
    References :

  2. King Lebron
    August 2nd, 2011 at 02:48 | #2

    Dude let the family alone its their privacy i know im not awnsering your question but you gotta respect their privacy if they dont want you to know there is a readon for it
    References :

  3. It’s Me
    August 2nd, 2011 at 03:28 | #3

    They are public information and you need to contact the county the friend died in to receive a copy of the death certificate.

    BUT…as you said, families of the celebrities would like to have that information stay private. Please give the same respect to you friends family, whether you like them or not. Although it is public record, it it is still a private matter.
    References :
    have lost a child

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