Advance Directive Form

Arkansas’s Advance Directive form lets an individual choose a representative to make health care decisions on their behalf. The form includes specific instructions for the attorney regarding mental and physical health treatment of an individual and a living will. This form must be signed by the individual themselves, two witnesses, and the proxy.

How to Order a Death Certificate

The following people are qualified to request a death certificate in Arkansas:

• Close family members of the deceased
• Designated representatives of the deceased
• Academic research groups
• Anyone if the death occurred over 50 years ago

The required death certificate application information includes:

• The legal name of the deceased
• Date and place of death
• Applicant’s relation to the deceased
• Applicant’s government-issued photo ID
• The purpose for certificate request
• Optionally – the name of the funeral home

The cost of the death certificate is $10 and $8 for each copy. If no original is presented, a $10 search fee applies.

The application can be submitted by mail to the following address:

 Arkansas Department of Health

Vital Records Section, Slot 44

4815 West Markham Street

Little Rock, AR 72205

By phone at 866-209-9482 or in-person in the county’s health department.

Digital Estate Planning Law

The HB2253 Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act authorizes an individual’s legal representative who can access and control their digital assets and communications. The law was signed on April 4th, 2017.

Death With Dignity Legislation or Aid-in-Dying or Physician-Assisted Death

Arkansas currently has no legislation regarding death with dignity. Updates on this matter can be found here.

Organ Donation Registry

The Arkansas organ donation registry can be found here.

Physician Order for Life Sustaining Treatment (POLST)

Arkansas POLST form can be found here. This form must be completed only after a conversation with a patient or their representative. It’s necessary for patients who are at risk of a life-threatening clinical event due to a life-limiting medical condition.

Probate Laws

Information on Arizona’s legislation on decedent’s will regarding their estate and other assets can be found in the following act:

• Title 28: Wills, Estates, and Fiduciary Relationships

Estate and Inheritance Tax

There is currently no estate and inheritance tax in Arkansas. Update on this matter can be found here.