Who is authorized to sign a death certificate?

The correct answer is that a physician's assistant or an advanced registered nurse (ARN) in charge of care is authorized to sign a death certificate. In Iowa, as in many other jurisdictions, the individuals responsible for signing death certificates must be licensed healthcare providers who are directly involved in the care of the deceased at the time of their death.

Physician assistants and advanced registered nurses possess the necessary authority and qualifications to determine the cause of death and can also certify the medical facts surrounding it. This ability to sign death certificates reflects their comprehensive training in managing patient care and understanding medical records.

Other options may be involved in the death care process, but they do not meet the specific legal requirements set forth in Iowa law regarding who can officially sign a death certificate. For instance, while a licensed funeral director plays a crucial role in facilitating arrangements after death, they do not have the authority to certify a death. Similarly, family members, while emotionally invested and often involved in the process, lack the legal grounds to sign without the certification from an appropriate medical professional. Finally, the term "any medical professional" is too broad, as not all medical professionals have been granted the authority to sign such documents—they must specifically be a physician, a PA, or an ARN