Advance Directive Form

Vermont’s Advance Directive form authorizes a healthcare proxy and specifies an individual’s living will. Signatures of the individual, proxy, and two witnesses are required.

How to Order a Death Certificate

Vermont has no restrictions on who can obtain a death certificate. The following information is required for the application:

• Deceased’s name, sex, date and place of birth
• Date and place of death
• Name of deceased’s spouse if applicable
• Applicant’s name, phone number, address
• Applicant’s relation to the deceased
• Purpose for request

The certificate with one certified copy costs $10. The application should be mailed to:

Vermont Department of Health

Vital Records

P.O. Box 70

Burlington, VT 05402-0070

Digital Estate Planning Laws

HB 152 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, 2017.

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

Vermont’s terminally ill residents have been able to opt for physician-assisted death since 2013 following the Vermont Patient Choice and Control at End of Life Act. Additional information can be found here.

Organ Donation Registry

Vermont’s organ donation registry can be accessed here.

Clinical Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment (COLST)

Vermont’s COLST 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 Vermont’s legislation on a decedent’s will regarding their estate and other assets can be found in Title14, Chapter 3: Probate and Procedure for Construction of Wills.

Estate and Inheritance Tax

Vermont has an estate tax of up to 16%.