How many copies should you order? It depends on how each institution handles the original.
Order one certified copy for each institution that keeps your original.
Keep your original (order one copy for each): life insurance, pension and retirement
plans, probate and estate courts, and county or deed registrars.
Inspect it and return it: banks and credit unions, retail accounts, and the Social
Security Administration (SSA).
Usually accept a photocopy: most credit card companies, utilities, and cell phone
providers.
Social Security: We do not contact the SSA directly. We enter the decedent's Social
Security number, provided by the next of kin, into the shared state death registry. Once the state
verifies the death, the SSA is notified of the passing. Any further steps are handled by the legal next
of kin.
