DEATH REPORTING FOR NON-EDRS USERS or WHEN THE EDRS IS NOT ACCESSIBLE
All deaths that occur in Vermont are required to be reported to the Vermont Department of Health, Vital Records Office. Medical information is reported by the attending physician, physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse and demographic information is reported by the funeral director or the decedent’s family.
Medical Certification
- Physicians, physician assistants and advanced practice registered nurses are required to report deaths using the EDRS within 24 hours of the death. Physicians, physician assistants and advanced practice registered nurses that are not enrolled as EDRS users can enroll by completing the training titled Certifying a Death in Vermont and completing the assessment and survey at the end of the training.
- If you are experiencing difficulties and can not wait for normal business hours to proceed, you may report the death using the Preliminary Report of Death (PROD) form. Physicians should deliver the signed medical certification page of the PROD to the funeral director or to the family if there is no funeral director involved, within 24 hours of the death.
Demographic Information
- Vermont licensed funeral directors are required to report deaths using the EDRS. If the EDRS is not accessible the Preliminary Report of Death (PROD) form may be used to report the death. Fax the completed form to the Vital Records office at 802-651-1787 for processing.
- Out of state funeral directors and families working without the assistance of a funeral director will need to use the Preliminary Report of Death Form (PROD) form to report a death. Fax the completed and signed PROD form (both demographic information page and medical certification page) within 48 hours of the death to the Vital Records office at 802-651-1787 for processing. If the attending physician, physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse reported the death electronically, they can produce a print out of the medical certification page from within the EDRS to provide to you.
- IMPORTANT - The PROD is not a final death certificate. Once complete it must be submitted to the VDH Vital Records office within 48 hours of the death to become a registered certificate.
- Families working without the assistance of a funeral director can find more information on the Home Burials page and can contact the Vital Records Office with any questions.
When both the medical certification and the demographic information have been completed in the EDRS the record will be registered and certified copies of the death certificate can be obtained from the town clerk office in either the town of residence or the town of death. Please call ahead to ensure they have received the certificate. We strive to have copies available to clerks as soon as possible but occasionally there may be some delays.
Contact Us
The Vermont Department of Health, Vital Records Office oversees the administration of the Electronic Death Registration System. You can reach us by e-mail at EDRS@state.vt.us or by phone at (800) 439-5008 or (802) 652-2070.