                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

EVIDENCE OF DEATH OR STATUS (§ 64.2-2204)

In addition to otherwise applicable rules of evidence, the following rules
relating to a determination of death and status shall apply:

1. Death occurs when an individual is determined to be dead in accordance with
the provisions of &#xA7; 54.1-2972 or Chapter 23 (&#xA7; 64.2-2300 et seq.).

2. A certified or authenticated copy of a death certificate purporting to be
issued by a governmental official or agency, domestic or foreign, of the place
where the death purportedly occurred is prima facie evidence of the fact, place,
date, and time of death and the identity of the decedent.

3. A certified or authenticated copy of any record or report purporting to be
issued by a governmental official or agency, domestic or foreign, that an
individual is missing, detained, dead, or alive is prima facie evidence of the
status of the individual and of the dates, times, identities, circumstances, and
places disclosed by the record or report.

4. In the absence of prima facie evidence of death under subdivision 2 or 3, the
facts of death may be established by clear and convincing evidence, including
circumstantial evidence.

5. In the absence of evidence disputing the time of death stated on a document
described in subdivision 2 or 3, such a document that states a time of death 120
hours or more after the time of death of another individual, however the time of
death of the other individual is determined, establishes by clear and convincing
evidence that the individual survived the other individual by 120 hours.

HISTORY: 1994, c. 475, § 64.1-104.5; 2012, c. 614.