Getting a Death Certificate in California
Obtaining certified death certificate copies in California requires submitting a request to the California Department of Public Health - Vital Records. The official fee is $24 per certified copy, with standard processing taking 8-12 weeks. Our service handles this entire process on your behalf for a flat $45 per copy fee, which includes the official state fees.
Step-by-Step Process
- Determine eligibility: In California, only authorized persons may request death certificates. See the "Who Can Request" section below.
- Gather required documents: You will need to provide specific documentation with your request. See the "Required Documents" section below.
- Submit your request: Requests can be submitted to the California Department of Public Health - Vital Records by mail, or in person at the state office by appointment.
- Pay the official fees: The official fee is $24 per certified copy. Payment methods accepted by the vital records office include check or money order payable to the state health department.
- Receive your copies: Certified copies are mailed to your address after processing. Standard processing takes 8-12 weeks; expedited processing available in approximately 1-2 weeks for an additional $25 fee.
Required Documents
- Completed sworn statement form
- Valid photo ID
- Proof of relationship (if requesting on behalf of registrant)
- Payment
Who Can Request a California Death Certificate
California restricts access to death certificates to authorized individuals. Eligible requestors include:
- Registrant (if 18+)
- Parent
- Legal guardian
- Child
- Grandparent
- Grandchild
- Sibling
- Spouse or domestic partner
- Attorney representing the estate
- Funeral director
California Vital Records Office Contact
California Department of Public Health - Vital Records
- Address
- 1501 Capitol Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95814
- Phone
- (916) 445-2684
- Website
- Official Website
- Cost
- $24 per certified copy
- Processing Time
- 8-12 weeks (standard)
Counties in California
Death certificates in California can be requested for deaths that occurred in any of the state's 58 counties.
Show all 58 California counties
- Alameda
- Alpine
- Amador
- Butte
- Calaveras
- Colusa
- Contra Costa
- Del Norte
- El Dorado
- Fresno
- Glenn
- Humboldt
- Imperial
- Inyo
- Kern
- Kings
- Lake
- Lassen
- Los Angeles
- Madera
- Marin
- Mariposa
- Mendocino
- Merced
- Modoc
- Mono
- Monterey
- Napa
- Nevada
- Orange
- Placer
- Plumas
- Riverside
- Sacramento
- San Benito
- San Bernardino
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Joaquin
- San Luis Obispo
- San Mateo
- Santa Barbara
- Santa Clara
- Santa Cruz
- Shasta
- Sierra
- Siskiyou
- Solano
- Sonoma
- Stanislaus
- Sutter
- Tehama
- Trinity
- Tulare
- Tuolumne
- Ventura
- Yolo
- Yuba
Let Us Handle This For You
Skip the research and paperwork. We identify the right office, submit your request in California's required format, advance the official fees, and deliver certified copies to you.
Order California Death CertificatesRelated: Find Funeral Homes in California
If you are working with a funeral home in California, our directory lists funeral homes across the state. Browse funeral homes in California.
Frequently Asked Questions - California
The official government fee in California is $24 per certified copy. Through our service, you pay $45 per copy which includes the official state fee and our preparation and delivery service.
Standard processing in California takes 8-12 weeks from the date your application is received by the vital records office. Expedited processing is available in California for an additional $25 flat fee, with processing in approximately 1-2 weeks.
Most requests in California go through the state vital records office at California Department of Public Health - Vital Records. Some counties may have local options - contact us or check the county health department website.
Death certificates are issued by the vital records office for the state where the death occurred, not where the person lived. If the death occurred in California, you request it from California vital records regardless of where the deceased resided.