See also: BIRTH CERIFICATES
OFFICIAL RECORDS.

1.  Certified Copies Admissible

Death certificates are generally governed by statutes which specifically provide that a certified copy shall be treated as an original.{footnote}E.g., Ark. Stat. Ann. § 20-18-305(5) (1995);  Cal. Health & Saf. Code § 103550 (1996); Off. C. Ga. Ann. § 31-10-26(a)(2) (1996); 410 Ill. Comp. Stat. 535/25(6) (1996); Mich. Stat. Ann. § 14.15 (2886) (1996); Va. Code Ann. § 32.1-272(B) (1997).
See also 410 Ill. Comp. Stat. 535/25(12) (1996) (computer print-out admissible in lieu of certificate).{/footnote}

2.  As Hearsay

Death certificates are often also deemed admissible under an exception to the hearsay rule.{footnote}FRE 803(9) (records of vital statistics).
People v. Kennedy, 501 N.E.2d 1004 (Ill. App. Ct. 1986) (applying public records statute, Ill. Rev. Stat. 1985, ch. 38, par. 115 — 5.1).{/footnote}

The introduction of a death certificate against a criminal defendant has been held violative of the Confrontation Clause where the certificate contained unsupported assertions and the declarant was not produced by the prosecution even though available.{footnote}Stevens v. Bordenkircher, 746 F.2d 342 (6th Cir. 1984).
But see People v. Kennedy, 501 N.E.2d 1004, 1007 (Ill. App. Ct. 1986) (no violation of Confrontation Clause where defendant made no effort to subpoena the preparer of certificate).{/footnote}

3.  As Prima Facie Evidence

State statutes commonly provide that death certificates are prima facie evidence of the facts stated in the certificate.{footnote}E.g., Ark. Stat. Ann. § 20-18-305(5) (1995);  Cal. Health & Saf. Code § 103550 (1996); Off. C. Ga. Ann. § 31-10-26(a)(2) (1996); Sherrer v. Lynn, 324 S.E.2d 500 (Ga. App. Ct.  1984); 410 Ill. Comp. Stat. 535/25(6) (1996); In re Estate of Stewart, 602 N.E.2d 1277, 1285 (Ill. App. 1991) (date of death); Mich. Stat. Ann. § 14.15 (2886) (1996); Greek v. Bassett, 316 N.W.2d 489 (Mich. App. Ct. 1982) (cause of death); N.Y. Cons. Law Svcs. Pub. Health § 4103 (1997); Stein v Lebowitz-Pine View Hotel, Inc., 489 N.Y.S.2d 635 (App. Div. 1985); 24 Laws P.R. Ann. § 1237 (1992); Va. Code Ann. § 32.1-272(B) (1997).{/footnote}  These statutes effectively operate as exceptions to the hearsay rule.{footnote}Liberty Nat’l Life Ins. Co. v. Power, 145 S.E.2d 801 (Ga. App. 1965){/footnote}  Admissibility is not affected by a failure to file the certificate within the period required by law.{footnote}Sherrer v. Lynn, 324 S.E.2d 500 (Ga. App. Ct.  1984).{/footnote}
Some states limit the purposes for which they may be offered.{footnote}King v. State, 261 S.E.2d 485 (Ga. App. Ct. 1979) (events leading up to death and whether death was intentional or accidental not admissible); Liberty Nat’l Life Ins. Co. v. Power, 145 S.E.2d 801 (Ga. App. Ct. 1965) (opinions as to which physician or official lacks qualifications, statements of third parties inadmissible); Alfaro v. Meagler, 326 N.E.2d 545 (Ill. App. Ct. 1975) (not admissible to establish place of residence of decedent); Maddox v. MFA Life Ins. Co., 267 N.E.2d 723 (Ill. App. Ct. 1971) (not admissible to show cause of death); In re Estate of Nowak, 264 N.E.2d 307 (Ill. App. Ct. 1970) (not admissible to show decedent’s marital status); Edwards v. Jackson, 171 S.E.2d 854 (Va. 1970).{/footnote}  Some state also provide that the evidentiary value of a certificate filed more than one year after the subject’s death, or a certificate which has been amended, must be determined by the court.{footnote}Ark. Stat. Ann. § 20-18-305(5) (1995); Off. C. Ga. Ann. § 31-10-26(a)(2) (1996); 410 Ill. Comp. Stat. 535/25(6) (1996); Va. Code Ann. § 32.1-272(B) (1997).{/footnote}

Bibliography

Annot., Official Death Certificate As Evidence Of Cause Of Death In Civil Or Criminal Action, 21 A.L.R.3d 418.