I think in the fine print somewhere, those letters say they will keep your money for each cert. whether found or not. It's their search fee.<:(( If it were me writing, I'd send back a copy of my original letter, their letter & the original check # you paid it with, clarify your relationship to the deceased & see if they send it on to you. You didn't state a date for the last one you requested, but I assume it's within the bounds of accessible material if you're the 3x granddaughter! If I remember correctly, you also must know the county of death. Is it any easier to write the county, unless for a specific reason you need a certified copy such as the state provides? Good luck. Kinklector@aol.com wrote: > Dear List, > > Last month I sent for 2 death records. One was from 1917, and one was from > March 1910. I sent $20. They sent me the one from 1917, and couldn't find > the one from 1910 (I figure since it was the beginning for keeping the > records, it may not have been filed). They kept the $20. > > I decided to send for one more. I sent my $10, with the name & the death > date. They kept the $10 and sent me a letter saying that the records are > confidential and can be released to immediate family only. "In order to > comply with your request, we must be furnished with authority bearing the > legal signature of an individual entitled under law to receive the > information." Then they go on to say to send a check or money order. I > signed the first letter I wrote to them. I did not state my relationship. > Should I just send them back their original letter, signing my name again and > stating I am the 3 great-granddaughter? Heck, I could say > great-granddaughter, I doubt they would know the difference. I don't > remember stating my relationship the first time, but maybe I did. I had a > yellow? form that time to fill out. I don't have one this time, so I just > wrote a letter. I asked them for the form, but they didn't send it. > > Ideas? > Cheri Mello