Vermont deaths are reported and registered through the Electronic Death Registry System (EDRS), however, a family who does not involve a funeral director can report a death using a paper process.
The doctor who last cared for the deceased, or the local medical examiner if the death was unexpected, is responsible for completing the death certificate. The doctor will provide you with a two-page form called the Preliminary Report of Death (PROD). One side of the form will contain the “Medical Certification” completed and signed by the doctor. The “Demographic Information” side requesting information about the decedent and the disposition of the body must be fully completed and signed by the next-of-kin or an authorized agent. Vermont allows an individual to authorize an agent to carry out disposition of his or her body [18 V.S.A § 9702].
Once both sides of the PROD are complete, you must forward a copy to the Health Department's Vital Records Office within forty-eight hours of the death. The original form should be kept and used for obtaining permits. The PROD can be submitted by fax to 802-651-1787, or it can be mailed or delivered to:
Vermont Department of Health
Vital Records
280 State Drive
Waterbury VT, 05671-8370
The Vital Records Office will enter information from the PROD into the Electronic Death Registration System (EDRS), and the death certificate will be made available to the town clerk in the town where the death occurred and to the town clerk in the decedent's town of residence. In most cases the death certificate will be available within one business day of receipt by Vital Records; however, if a town is not enrolled as a user of the EDRS, a hard copy will be mailed to the town from Vital Records. Therefore, you are encouraged to call the town clerk prior to traveling to get a copy of the certificate.
If you have questions about the PROD, please contact the Vital Records Office at 800-439-5008
