How to Get a Death Certificate in California
How to Get a Death Certificate in California
In California, you can get a certified death certificate from the California Department of Public Health, Vital Records (CDPH-VR) or from the county vital records office where the death occurred. The first certified copy costs $26, and each additional copy ordered at the same time costs $6 (as of January 1, 2026, per AB 64). Order at least 8 to 12 copies, because every financial institution, insurer, and court filing requires its own original.
Where to Get a California Death Certificate
Two official sources issue certified copies of a death certificate in California.
Option 1: County Vital Records Office (Faster)
Contact the county vital records office (county clerk or recorder's office) in the county where the death occurred. CDPH-VR recommends this route because it is typically faster than the state office. Many counties offer same-day or next-business-day service for in-person requests.
How to find your county office: Each of California's 58 counties has a local registrar or county clerk-recorder that issues death certificates. Search for your county's clerk-recorder website or call your county health department.
Option 2: CDPH-VR (State Level)
The California Department of Public Health, Vital Records (CDPH-VR) maintains death records for all deaths registered in California. This is the statewide source and the right choice if the county office is not nearby.
CDPH-VR contact information:
- Address: MS 5103, P.O. Box 997410, Sacramento, CA 95899-7410
- Phone: (916) 445-2684
- Website: cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CHSI/Pages/Vital-Records.aspx
Types of Copies
Authorized (Certified) Copy
A full certified copy that can be used for all legal purposes, including settling estates. Only available to authorized persons (see below).
Informational Copy
Marked "INFORMATIONAL, NOT A VALID DOCUMENT TO ESTABLISH IDENTITY." Available to anyone. Cannot be used for legal purposes that require proof of death for identity-related matters, but some financial and insurance institutions may accept it.
Who Can Request an Authorized (Certified) Copy
Under Cal. Health and Safety Code Section 103526, authorized persons include:
- A child, grandchild, sibling, spouse, or domestic partner of the deceased
- A grandparent of the deceased
- A party entitled to receive the record as a result of a court order
- An attorney representing the deceased or the deceased's estate
- An executor, administrator, conservator, or other person empowered by court appointment to act on behalf of the estate
- A funeral establishment agent or employee acting on behalf of an eligible person
- A person authorized under Health and Safety Code Section 7100(a)(1)-(8) (the disposition authority hierarchy)
- A law enforcement or governmental agency conducting official business
If you are not an authorized person: You may request an informational copy only.
How Many Copies to Order
Order more than you think you need. Trying to get additional copies weeks later means paying the full first-copy fee again and waiting for delivery.
A typical estate requires 8 to 12 certified copies. Here is where each one goes:
- Probate court filing: 1-2 copies
- Each bank or financial institution: 1 copy per institution
- Life insurance claim: 1 copy per policy
- Social Security Administration: 1 copy
- Each retirement account: 1 copy per account
- Real estate transfer or title company: 1 copy per county recorder
- Vehicle title transfer at DMV: 1 copy
- Personal records: 1 copy
Ordering all copies in a single transaction saves money. At $26 for the first and $6 for each additional, ordering 10 copies costs $80 total. Ordering them one at a time over several months costs $260.
2026 California Death Certificate Fee Schedule
These fees are effective January 1, 2026 per AB 64.
| Item | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| First certified copy (state CDPH-VR) | $26.00 | Was $24 before January 1, 2026 |
| Each additional certified copy (same order) | $6.00 | Must be ordered at the same time |
| County copies | Varies | Generally $26/$6, but some counties may differ |
How to Order: 3 Methods
Method 1: Online Through CDPH-VR
CDPH-VR offers an online vital records ordering system. You will need the deceased's full legal name, date of death, and place of death. Requires electronic identity verification and a sworn statement under penalty of perjury if requesting an authorized copy. Processing takes 5 to 7 weeks plus up to 2 weeks for delivery.
Method 2: By Mail Using Form VS 112
Download Form VS 112 (Application for Certified Copy of Death Record) from the CDPH-VR website. Complete the form, include your check or money order, and mail to:
California Department of Public Health - Vital Records MS 5103, P.O. Box 997410 Sacramento, CA 95899-7410
Standard mail processing takes 5 to 7 weeks plus up to 2 weeks for delivery.
Method 3: County Vital Records Office (In Person)
Visit the county clerk or recorder's office in the county where the death occurred. Bring valid government-issued photo ID. Many counties offer same-day or next-business-day service. Call ahead to confirm hours, fees, and accepted payment methods.
Which to choose: If the death was recent and the county office is nearby, start there for the fastest turnaround. If you cannot visit in person, the CDPH-VR online option is your best route, but expect 5 to 7 weeks.
Processing Times at a Glance
| Method | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|
| County office (in person) | Same day to a few days (varies by county) |
| CDPH-VR online order | 5-7 weeks processing + up to 2 weeks delivery |
| CDPH-VR mail order | 5-7 weeks processing + up to 2 weeks delivery |
Record availability: Death records are available from CDPH-VR approximately two weeks after the date of death.
How Death Certificates Are Completed in California
A California death certificate moves through a multi-party process before it becomes an official record.
The steps:
- The funeral director completes the non-medical portions of the death certificate (personal and demographic information) and files it with the local registrar within 8 days of death or before burial or cremation, whichever occurs first.
- The attending physician completes and signs the medical certification (cause and manner of death) within 15 hours of being notified of the death (Cal. Health and Safety Code Section 102795).
- If the death falls under coroner jurisdiction (Cal. Gov. Code Section 27491), the coroner investigates and certifies the cause of death.
- The local registrar registers the death and issues the burial or cremation permit.
- CDPH-VR receives the record, and it becomes part of the state's permanent vital records.
When the coroner is involved: The coroner takes jurisdiction when death is due to violence, occurs suddenly in apparent good health, is suspicious or unusual, results from drowning or fire, is workplace-related, occurs when the decedent was not under a physician's care within 20 days, or involves a prisoner.
Correcting Errors on a California Death Certificate
If a death certificate contains an error, file an Affidavit to Amend a Record with CDPH-VR or the local registrar using form VS 24.
Processing times for amendments:
- Paper amendment mailed to CDPH-VR: 6-8 weeks
- General amendment requests: 9-11 weeks average
Who can request an amendment: Next of kin, personal representative of the estate, attending physician, or the funeral director who filed the original certificate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can request a California death certificate? Authorized certified copies are restricted to specific persons under Cal. Health and Safety Code Section 103526: spouse, child, grandchild, sibling, grandparent, domestic partner, executor, attorney, or a person with a court order. Anyone can request an informational copy.
How long does it take to get a death certificate in California? County offices often provide same-day service for in-person requests. CDPH-VR online and mail orders take 5 to 7 weeks for processing plus up to 2 weeks for delivery. Records are available from CDPH-VR approximately two weeks after the date of death.
What is the cost of a California death certificate in 2026? $26 for the first certified copy and $6 for each additional copy ordered at the same time (effective January 1, 2026 per AB 64).
Can I get a California death certificate if I am not a family member? You can request an informational copy, which anyone may obtain. For an authorized certified copy, you need to be an authorized person under Section 103526 or have a court order.
The death certificate has an error. What do I do? File form VS 24 (Affidavit to Amend a Record) with CDPH-VR or the local registrar. Processing takes 6 to 11 weeks depending on the method.
What to Do Next
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This guide reflects California vital records procedures as of April 2026, including the 2026 fee schedule under AB 64. Fees and processing times may change. For the current fee schedule, visit cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CHSI/Pages/Vital-Records-Fees.aspx.
Sources: Cal. Health and Safety Code Sections 102775-103095, 103526 (Vital Records); Cal. Gov. Code Section 27491 (Coroner Jurisdiction); cdph.ca.gov; AB 64 (Chapter 662, Statutes of 2025)