date of birth and public records included.

Would that include death? Esp. a recent death?

I don't know. I've never done this before.

I don't know.

Oh, I was thinking maybe they'd say in their ad.

Basically anything that is available in public record. No idea how quickly a recent death would make it into public record, though.

ETA: I'm going to wait for feedback before making a decision I may regret.

OK, the Barron county office makes no mention on how long it'd take. Possibly my sis or her gf could go to the state office in person. Otherwise I'm tempted to spring for an expedited fax request, which would take "within seven business days."

Our city and state require a public death announcement in the classified section of the newspaper, to give creditors the chance to present their claims before any estate is awarded to the heirs. I'd say the announcement is within a week to ten days of issuance of the death certificate (in cases where the body wasn't found for some time after death, and wasn't certified by authorities until its discovery). So, newspaper files for classifieds--if this is standard practice elsewhere--might yield results newspaper obits have not.

So, newspaper files for classifieds--if this is standard practice elsewhere--might yeild results newspaper obits have not.

Good idea.

I checked the state of Wisconsin newspaper legal notices and there was no notice.

Kristin, they get their information from databases that may be as much as 6 months old. I wouldn't spend the money.

The records search sites most likely have some time delay. I thought most areas had death notices for everyone even if the family did not pay for a more detailed obit. A call to the local clerk's office would likely be the most timely method of finding out this information.

Deena, sounds good.