California Death Certificate Search

In California, the Department of Public Health – Vital Records (CDPH-VR) is tasked with generating and managing all California death records, including death certificates. These certificates are open to the public per California Public Records Act. A California death certificate provides vital personal information about a deceased person, the circumstances surrounding the death, and the cause of death. Death certificates are usually available two weeks after the death of a person. Consequently, interested and eligible persons may perform a death certificate search within that period if seeking proof of the deceased's passing.

A California death certificate search is essential for various legal and statistical reasons. Family members can use death certificates to claim life insurance, access pension benefits, settle estates, or make funeral arrangements. The deceased spouse can use the death certificate as proof when applying for a license to remarry. A law enforcement agent can use a death certificate to investigate the cause of a person's death to determine if foul play occurred.

Public health officials can also use death certificates to compile data on death statistics. For example, information retrieved from the death certificate can be used to determine California's leading causes of death. Researchers can use death certificates to retrieve data for genealogical research. Government agencies can use death certificates for electoral registers, benefit payments, and passport records.

What is a Death Certificate?

A death certificate in California is a permanent official record of the fact of a person's death. It contains the deceased's personal information, cause and place of death, and spouse and parents' details. Per California Health & Safety Code 103550, certified copies of death certificates are printed on chemically sensitized security paper with 81/2 inches by 11 inches measurement. California has two types of death certificates:

1. Authorized Certified Copy: This is an official copy of a death certificate that can be used to establish the identity of the record holder.
2. Informational Certified Copy: This cannot be used for official purposes. Informational copies of death certificates typically have a legend printed on them that states, "informational, not a valid document to establish identity.

Are Death Certificates Public in California?

Per California Public Records Act (PRA), the public has the right to access any records maintained by public agencies in the state. As such, the California Department of Public Health – Vital Records (CDPH-VR) allows members of the public to inspect or obtain copies of certificates of deaths that have occurred from July 1905 to date. It is important to note that only certified informational copies of death certificates are available to the public. Certified copies of death certificates are restricted to a selected few like:

• A parent or legal guardian
• Child
• Grandchild
• Grandparent
• Sibling
• The deceased's spouse or domestic partner
• A law enforcement officer
• Legal representatives
• Surviving next of kin (per HSC § 7100)
• A person with a court order
• An agent or employee of a funeral establishment (HSC § 7100 (a) (1)-(8)).

Can I View Death Certificates Online for Free

The California Department of Public Health Vital Records Office does not have an online database where individuals can view death certificates for free. The only online platforms approved by the CDPH-VR are maintained by third-party providers, which are not accessible for free. However, individuals can view death certificates (in person) for free at the California State Archives office. Alternatively, requesters can contact the County Registrars and Recorders office in the county where the death occurred to inquire if they can view death certificates online for free.

How to Conduct a Free Death Certificate Search

A free death certificate search may be possible through the California State Archives office. However, free searches are only offered to individuals who want to inspect a death certificate and not obtain copies. Inquirers may visit the Archives office during business hours and request to view death certificates. Email the office or call (916) 653-7715 to inquire about a free death certificate search.

Where to Get a Death Certificate in California

A requester can get a death certificate from the following offices:

• The California Department of Public Health – Vital Records (CDPH-VR)
• County Registrars and Recorder's offices
• California State Archives

How to Get a Death Certificate in California

Californians can get death certificates through the State Vital Records Office or the Local Health Department in the county where the death occurred. Requests can be made in person, via mail, or online. The CDPH-VR issues state-wide death certificates, while Registrars and Recorder's offices only issue certificates of deaths that occurred in their counties. Requesters can request authorized certified or informational copies of death certificates. Individuals requesting certified copies must provide notarized sworn statements. A requester can submit one sworn statement for multiple death certificates that are requested simultaneously. However, the statement must include the record holders' names and the relationship between the record holder and the requester. Requests for certified copies of death certificates without notarized sworn statements will not be processed.

Online Requests

The CDPH-VR does not have an online tool where individuals can request death certificates. However, some approved third-party service providers offer online death certificate services. All applications these third parties receive will be forwarded to the CDPH-VR or county vital records offices for processing. These third-party online services attract extra charges.

Mail Requests

To submit a death certificate by mail, a record seeker must fill out an Application for Certified Copy of Death Record form (English or Spanish). The application form, a notarized sworn statement (for those requesting an authorized copy), and the required fees should be mailed to the CDPH at:

California Department of Public Health
Vital Records – MS 5103
P.O. Box 997410
Sacramento, CA 95899-7410

Mail applicants whose courier service requires a physical address for delivery can forward their application forms to the address below:

California Department of Public Health
Vital Records – MS 5103
1501 Capitol Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95814

The CDPH does not accept cash by mail. Only checks and money orders are acceptable. The checks must be drawn from a United States bank, while Money orders can be drawn from a United States bank or issued by the United States Postal Service. Any requests received without the appropriate fee will be returned to the sender. Mail applicants who want to track the certificates once it leaves the Vital Records office can include self-addressed, pre-paid, certified envelopes with their applications.

In-Person Requests

In-person requests can be made at the CDPH-VR or the Registrars and Recorder's Office in the county where the death occurred. Requesters would be asked to complete a written application. Individuals requesting certified copies of death certificates must sign applications stating that they are authorized requestors. The office staff will attempt to locate the death certificate that has been requested. Applicants must pay a search fee in advance regardless of whether the certificate is found or not. Fees can be paid by check, cash, money order, or debit/ATM. A certified death certificate costs $24 per copy, but the search fee may vary by county. If the staff does not find the requested death certificate, a Certificate of No Public Record will be issued to the requestor.

Alternatively, individuals can get certificates of deaths that occurred before 1905 at the California State Archives office. Requesters must be able to provide the decedent's full name and date and place of death to facilitate the search. The Archive's office is located at:

California State Archives
1020 O Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
Reference Desk: (916) 653–2246
General Information: (916) 653–7715
Fax: (916) 653–7363

What Information is on a California Death Certificate?

The information included on a California death certificate includes:

• State file number
• Local registration number
• Decedent's personal data (full name, date of birth, age, sex, birth state/foreign country, social security number, marital status, date of death, education, and race)
• Decedent's residence (street and number or location, city, county/province, zip code, years in country, and state/ foreign country)
• Informat's details (name, relationship with the deceased, and mailing address)
• Spouse/SROP and parent information (surviving spouse/SROP first, middle, and last (birth name) names, father's first, middle, and last names, and birthplace, and mother's first, middle, and last (birth name) names)
• Disposition details (date, place, method, location, name and complete address of funeral establishment, signature of funeral service licensee, and license number)
• Place of death (city, county, and facility name and address)
• Cause of death
• Death and time pronounced dead, the signature of the person pronouncing death, license number, and date signed
• Actual or presumed date and time of death
• Decedent's usual occupation and kind of business or industry

How Long Does It Take to Get a Death Certificate in California?

The average processing time to get certified copies of death certificates from the California Department of Public Health – Vital Records (CDPH-VR) is between 10 and 12 weeks. Sometimes certified copies of death certificates are processed faster at County Registrars and Recorder's offices than at CDPH-VR. Getting death certificates from the county may take three days.

How Many Death Certificates Do I Need in California?

The number of death certificates a person needs varies depending on the deceased's assets at the time of death. Most California banks, insurance companies, creditors, and probate courts will request a death certificate before closing or transferring the deceased accounts or processing death benefits. Therefore, inquirers are advised to get between 5 and 10 copies of a death certificate.