Advance Directive Form

Tennessee’s Advance Directive form is available in English and Spanish. It authorizes a healthcare proxy and specifies an individual’s living and last will. It must be signed by the individual, proxy, and two witnesses.

How to Order a Death Certificate

Only the deceased’s immediate family members or their legal representatives can obtain a death certificate in Tennessee. The following information is required for the application:

• Deceased’s name, sex, date of birth
• Place and date of death
• Name and location of the funeral home
• Applicant’s name, phone number, address
• Applicant’s relation to the deceased and its proof
• Copy of applicant’s government-issued photo ID
• Whether a cause of death information is required

The certificate with one certified copy costs $7. A $5 fee is applied to expedited requests.

The application can be mailed or handed at:

Tennessee Vital Records

Central Services Building, 1st Floor

421 Fifth Avenue North

Nashville, TN 37243

Digital Estate Planning Laws

SB 326 Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act authorizes an individual’s legal representative who can access and control their digital assets and communications. This bill came into effect on July 1, 2016.

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

Tennessee has no legislation regarding assisted death. Updates on this topic can be found here.

Organ Donation Registry

Tennessee’s organ donation registry can be found here.

Physician Orders for Scope of Treatment (POST)

Tennessee’s POST form should 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 Tennessee’s legislation on a decedent’s will regarding their estate and other assets can be found in Title 32: Chapter 2.

Estate and Inheritance Tax

Tennessee has no estate or inheritance tax since 2015.