Order Online California (CA) Death Certificate

Get a certified death certificate for the State of California by applying online. Apply today to get your official copy and complete the process online.

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Disclaimer: Usbirthcertificates.com is a private, independent website owned by Travel Document Systems LLC, not affiliated with any government agency. We provide vital records application assistance services. Blank forms can be obtained for free at the relevant state office.

  1. Apply for your Death Certificate Order your death certificate by completing the application form in just 5 minutes and avoid long lines and government offices.

  2. Expert review and quick turnaround Receive your mistake-free revised application and all the documents to mail your application and get your certificate.

  3. Get your Death Certificate Once you submit your application you will get your death certificate delivered to your home.

California Death Certificate Application

Many agencies require a death certificate as evidence of a person’s passing, including lawyers and insurance firms, as well as government offices like the Social Security Administration (SSA).

If you need to transfer a property title or settle a will, you must have a certified death record from California if that is where the death occurred. 

To get a record of death in the State of California, you must make a formal request to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). It’s possible to do this in person at a vital records office, but for convenience, many people prefer to make their application from home. 

Our site makes it easy to request a CA death certificate online. Apply for a Death Certificate now

How to Get A California Death Certificate

The death certificate application process in California has various steps. You’re required to prepare certain documents, as detailed in the table below.

Document Required Details
Application form A CDPH death certificate application is needed. This can be completed online.
Copy of ID Make a good-quality photocopy of your State ID, driver’s license, or passport. This should be your ID (the applicant), not that of the deceased person.
Notarization You may need to prove your eligibility to request a full copy of the death certificate. This is done by making a notarized statement.

You also need to prepare payment for your request, via check or money order. Once prepared, you should mail your application to the following address:

DPH Vital Records Office
ATTN: Death Section
313 N. Figueroa Street
Room Lobby-1
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Who Can Request a California Death Certificate?

To request a certified death certificate in California, you must fall into one of the following categories:

  • Immediate family: Including a parent, child, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, spouse, or unmarried partner of the deceased person

  • Legal representatives: Legal guardians, attorneys, or court-appointed agents acting in the name of the deceased person or their estate

  • Official agencies: Law enforcement officers or government authorities conducting official business related to the deceased person or their estate

To authenticate your application for a full death certificate, you must provide a sworn, notarized statement. 

If you don’t meet the eligibility requirements, you can request an informational copy of the death certificate, which has some information redacted. There’s no need to make a sworn statement to request this type of certificate.

Types Of California Death Certificate

California issues two types of death certificates: authorized certified copies and informational copies. The type of record you need depends on what you’ll use it for.

An authorized certified copy is required for most legal and financial tasks. It’s a complete document that serves as official evidence of a person’s passing. You usually need an authorized certified copy to:

  • Settle estates and process wills

  • Claim life insurance or death benefits

  • Transfer property or vehicle titles

  • Notify banks and government offices of a person’s death

To protect privacy, only certain people can request a full CA death certificate. This includes family members or legal representatives. 

An informational copy of a death certificate is also issued by the CDPH, but cannot be used for legal or official purposes. It contains some of the same information as an authorized version, but is available to the general public. Anyone can order an informational copy.

Informational certificates are used for:

  • Family history research

  • Genealogy projects

  • Personal interest

Before you apply, decide which type of certificate fits your needs and which type you’re eligible to apply for.

California Death Certificate Cost

For an informational or authorized death certificate in California, the fee is $24 per certified copy. Additional service or shipping costs may also apply.

This fee is payable by check or money order, made out to ‘CDPH — Vital Records’. It’s not possible to pay by cash.

If the death certificate you’re requesting isn’t found, you’re not eligible for a refund of your application fee.

California Death Certificate Processing Times

Processing times for CA death records vary according to demand. Standard processing times are 5-7 weeks, not including delivery time. 

If you need the death certificate urgently, in person requests for vital records are usually faster. Visit the county recorder’s office in the county where the death occurred with your completed application form, payment, valid ID, and notarized statement (if required). Apply for a Death Certificate now

California Vital Records Offices

Here is a list of Vital Records Offices in the State of California that process official copies of death certificates.

California Vital Records Offices
  • Alameda County Death Certificates

    1106 Madison Street, First Floor
    Oakland, CA 94607

  • Contra Costa County Death Certificates

    10 Douglas Drive, Ste #220
    Martinez, CA 94553

  • Fresno County Death Certificates

    1221 Fulton Street
    1st Floor, Rm. 128
    Fresno, CA 93721

  • Long Beach Death Certificates

    2525 Grand Avenue,
    Long Beach, CA 90815

  • Los Angeles County Death Certificates

    12400 Imperial Highway
    Norwalk, CA 90650

  • Orange County Death Certificates

    200 W. Santa Ana Blvd., Suite 100-B
    Santa Ana, CA 927011

  • Riverside County Death Certificates

    10 Douglas Drive, Ste 220
    Martinez, CA 94553

  • Sacramento County Death Certificates

    ​600 8th Street
    Sacramento, CA 95814

  • San Bernardino County Death Certificates

    222 West Hospitality Lane
    San Bernardino, CA 92415

  • San Diego County Death Certificates

    HHSA Office of Vital Records MS P529
    3851 Rosecrans Street. Suite 802
    San Diego, CA 92110

  • San Francisco County Death Certificates

    101 Grove Street, Room 105,
    San Francisco, CA 94102, (415) 554-2700

  • Santa Clara County Death Certificates

    70 West Hedding Street, East Wing, First Floor
    San Jose, CA 95110

  • Ventura County Death Certiicate

    800 South Victoria Avenue,
    Ventura, CA 93009-1260

  • San Jose Death Certificates

    70 West Hedding Street, East Wing, First Floor
    San Jose, CA 95110

  • San Mateo County

    San Mateo County
    555 County Center, 1st floor
    Redwood City, CA 94063

  • Stockton Death Certificates

    San Joaquin County Recorder-County Clerk
    44 N San Joaquin St, 260,
    Stockton, CA 95202

  • San Joaquín County Records Office

    44 N. San Joaquin St., 2nd floor Ste. 260,
    Stockton, CA 95202

  • Stanislaus County Clerk

    1021 I St Suite 101,
    Modesto, CA 95354

  • Tulare County Clerk

    Tulare County Recorder
    221 South Mooney, Room 105
    Visalia, CA 93291

  • Santa Barbara County Death Certificates

    1100 Anacapa St
    Hall of Records
    Santa Barbara, CA 93101

  • Chula Vista Death Certificates

    590 3rd Ave.
    Chula Vista, CA 91910

Get your state-issued certified record

If you need an official copy of a vital record, it only takes a few minutes to apply securely from the comfort of home.

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FAQs About California (CA) Death Certificates

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    Secure Data Protection

    100% secure and encrypted online Death Certificate forms. Get a copy of your death records while we keep your data safe!

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    Personalized Review

    Our team of experts are trained in all states and will review each application to make sure there is no information missing and that everything is correct. This way you will avoid delays and get exactly what you are looking for when you order your death certificate online.

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    ID Verification

    Some states require that you provide a copy of your photo ID card to order a certified copy of your death certificate. Our complete application package provides all the information on which documents you need to provide and how to go about it.

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