Death Certificate Application VR-8 at a glance
What it is: The Death Certificate Application is the form for requesting a certified copy of a death record from the Arkansas Department of Health Vital Records.
Where and when to file: Mail this application, a copy of your photo id and the money to ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH VITAL RECORDS, Slot 44, 4815 West Markham Little Rock, AR 72205.
What to bring and attach to Death Certificate Application VR-8
All requests for certificates require photo identification.
A filled-in Death Certificate Application VR-8 example: a daughter requests her mother's death certificate
How to fill out Death Certificate Application VR-8, box by box
Full name of the deceased and date of death
In 1 Full Name of Deceased, list all possible dates of death and names under which the certificate may be registered: First Name, Middle Name and Last Name (Type or Print).
In 2 Date of Death, enter the Month, Day and Year, then the Age of Deceased and the Sex.
Place Where Death Occurred
In 3. Place Where Death Occurred, enter the City or Town, County and State. If unknown, give last place of residence.
Funeral home, attending certifier and infant
In 4. Name of Funeral Home, enter the name of the funeral home.
In 5. Address of Funeral Home, enter the address of the funeral home. In 6. Name and Address of Attending Certifier, enter the name and address of the certifier. If deceased was an infant, was it stillborn? Mark Yes or No.
Relationship, reason and signature
Enter your relationship to the person whose certificate is being requested.
Enter your reason for requesting a copy of this certificate. Then sign after the X, with your telephone number: Signature and telephone number of person requesting this certificate.
Copies and who receives the request
Under HOW MANY, enter the number of copies. Under AMOUNT OF MONEY ENCLOSED, enter the money you enclose.
Please PRINT the name and address of the person who is to receive this request on the lines under HOW MANY.
More rules for Death Certificate Application VR-8
Send check or money order payable to the Arkansas Department of Health. DO NOT SEND CASH.
Of the total fee you send, $10.00 will be kept to cover search charges if no record of the death is found (checked November 2, 2026). Only the names and dates listed will be searched for the $10.00 fee (checked November 2, 2026). Names and other dates submitted later will require an additional $10.00 non-refundable fee (checked November 2, 2026).
Please allow 4-6 weeks for processing.
Internet: www.vitalchek.com. The service fee and the certificate fee are charged to your credit card (Visa, Master Card, Discover or American Express). Certificates may be returned over night for the additional shipment fee.
Telephone: (866) 209-9482.
Common questions about Death Certificate Application VR-8
Where do I file it?
Walk-in: You may order a certified copy of the death record by coming into the office at 4815 West Markham St. Little Rock, AR 72205. Orders are accepted for same day issuance from 8:00 A.M. until 4:00 P.M. Monday through Friday.
Are there fees?
The fee is $10.00 for the first certified copy requested and $8.00 for each additional certified copy of the record (checked November 2, 2026). The fee must accompany the application.
Is there a penalty?
Any person who willfully and knowingly makes any false statement in an application for a certified copy of a vital record filed in this state is subject to a fine of not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) or imprisoned not more than five (5) years, or both (Arkansas Statutes 20-18-105) (checked November 2, 2026).
When is this form not the right one?
Only Arkansas deaths are recorded in the Arkansas office. There are only a limited number of death records filed in the office for deaths prior to February 1, 1914.
Sources
[1] Death Certificate Application (VR-8), Arkansas Department of Health (the Official source link on this page).