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1. How long does the Medical Certifier have to complete the medical certification of cause of death?

The Medical Certifier has 72 hours from time of death to complete the medical certification of cause of death. However, if the funeral home does not provide the remote attestation to the medical certifier in a timely manner, the medical certifier cannot be held liable if the cause of death has not been completed within the 72 hour time-frame.

2. VSIMS is indicating that the Remote Attestation (RA) has been received by the Maricopa Office of Vital Records but the cause of death has not been entered into the Decedent’s VSIMS record. Why?

Faxed Remote Attestation (RA) forms are reviewed on a first-come first-serve basis and in most cases, within 30 minutes of faxed receipt during business operating hours.

One reason a cause of death may not be entered into VSIMS within this time is if the RA was found into be incomplete and/or needing additional cause of death information. Our office will contact your funeral home and notify you of this situation and update you as to what information is missing. If we are unable to reach you, please also review the comments section of the Decedent’s VSIMS record.

Another common reason the cause of death may not yet be recorded in VSIMS is if Maricopa Office of Vital Records is still awaiting the complete Human Remains Release Form (HRRF) from your facility.

Please fax the HRRF to our office within 24 hours of removing the Decedent from the place of death. Remember, to ensure that the form is complete and accurate so our office may complete our part of the death registration process.

3. A family I am serving is requesting a rush disposition. What do I do to ensure that the cause of death and permit are received on time?

At the Maricopa Office of Vital Records, we do our best to respect the beliefs and time sensitive needs of families’ religious practices. We ask your assistance in discussing with your families that the death registration process is a complex, multi-step process that involves the coordination and efforts of several partners.

We have learned that if you can inform the medical certifier of the potential urgency in providing timely disposition this gives the certifier more awareness to complete the required medical certification you will need to request a rush disposition transit permit.

We have found that this advance notice may assist the certifier with completing the RA quickly and efficiently and most physicians will accommodate the needs of the family and expedite the certification of cause of death, as best possible.

Please call the Maricopa County Office of Vital Records Disposition Transit Permit Coordinator at 602-372-0535, ext. 2 so we may be ready to accommodate a potential emergency permit request or advise as suitable. Although we will do our best to accommodate the family’s needs, we cannot guarantee that the cause of death will be sufficient and a disposition transit permit will be issued by the planned date of disposition.

Maricopa Office of Vital Records is required by the Arizona Department of Health Services to receive a sufficient cause of death in accordance with national standards and in some cases certified causes of death are required to be reviewed further by the Medical Examiner of the relevant jurisdiction.