This site is not compatible with browsers older than Internet Explorer 10.
Please Contact Us for more ordering options:
888-733-7882
How to Obtain a Death Certificate in California
If a loved one has passed away, you may need a death certificate (California) for legal or personal reasons. A California death cert. can help with things like closing bank accounts, settling estates, or handling insurance claims. This guide explains how to receive death certificate copies in California in a simple way.
Who Issues Death Certificates in California?
In California, who issues death certificates depends on the county where the death occurred. County vital records offices and the California Department of Public Health handle these records.
These agencies maintain official vital records, including California birth certificates, marriage records, and death records.
Ways to Obtain a Death Certificate
There are three main ways to obtain a death certificate in California.
1. Fastest: Order Online
The quickest option is ordering through the vital records online services.
- Choose the type of record you need.
- Complete the completed application form online.
- Pay using a credit card.
- Submit any requested documents.
After approval, the office mails certified copies of the record to you.
Ordering through online vital records services can help simplify the process.
2. Order by Mail
You can also request a copy of a death certificate through the mail.
Steps include:
- Fill out the required forms for the death record.
- Sign and notarize the sworn statement.
- Print your completed application.
- Mail it to the correct vital records offices.
Your request must include payment by check or money order.
3. Request in Person
You may also visit a local office to request copies of the death certificate.
Bring:
- Valid identification
- Your completed application
- Payment (cash, credit card, check, or check or money order)
The office will review your request and process the record.
Cost of a California Death Certificate
The cost for a death certificate in California is $24 per copy. Additional certified copies are also $24 each.
When ordering through vital records online, a transaction fee of $14 may apply depending on the delivery method.
Processing Time
Many people ask how long it takes to get a death certificate.
The processing time can vary depending on how you order and the county handling the request. Online orders are often faster, while mail requests may take longer because of mailing and review time.
Processing usually takes several business days, depending on the workload of the Department of Public Health or local offices.
Who Can Request a Certified Copy?
Not everyone can receive an official certified copy. In most cases, only family members, legal representatives, or people with a court order can receive authorized certified copies.
If you are not eligible, you may request an informational copy instead.
What Information Does It Include?
A death certificate template or a sample death certificate usually includes:
- Full name of the deceased
- Date of death
- Time of death
- Location where the death occurred
- Cause of death
- Filing information
Many people search for how to find the cause of death or how to find out if someone died. Official death indexes and online vital records databases may help confirm if someone has passed away.