How do I get a copy of a death certificate?

County Clerk-Recorder (county level - in person, faster) / California Department of Public Health Vital Records (state level - by mail)

Step by Step

How to do it

Determine eligibility: California death records are restricted for 40 years after the event. Authorized copies may be obtained by the surviving spouse/domestic partner, parent, child, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, or other person authorized by statute. After 40 years, informational copies available to anyone.
Choose your method:
IN PERSON AT COUNTY: Visit the County Clerk-Recorder in the county where the death was registered - typically faster; fees may vary slightly from state office
BY MAIL TO STATE: Complete Form VS 112, include notarized Sworn Statement, copy of ID, and payment; mail to CDPH Vital Records - MS 5103, P.O. Box 997410, Sacramento, CA 95899-7410; allow 5-7 weeks
ONLINE (expedited): Order through VitalChek - additional fees apply
Submit application with valid photo ID, notarized Sworn Statement (for state mail orders), and proof of relationship/legal interest
Pay the fee
Receive certificate

Details

What you need to know

Required Docs

Completed application form (VS 112 for state office)
Notarized Sworn Statement (required for state CDPH mail orders)
Copy of valid government-issued photo ID
Proof of relationship or legal interest
Payment (check or money order for mail - no cash; card at county offices/VitalChek)

Fee

$26 per certified copy effective January 1, 2026 (increased from $24 per AB 64); fee retained as search fee if no record found; county fees may vary

Processing Time

County office: same day to a few days; CDPH by mail: 5-7 weeks; VitalChek expedited available

Online Option

Yes - VitalChek at cdph.ca.gov or vitalchek.com

Where to Go

County Clerk-Recorder in the county where the death was registered (in person); CDPH Vital Records by mail; VitalChek online

County-specific variations apply

County Clerk-Recorder offices process requests faster and some only maintain records for recent years - for older records, contact CDPH or the county where the death occurred. Some county offices (e.g., San Joaquin) note that current and prior calendar year records are at the local Public Health office; older records are at the County Recorder. Verify with your specific county.

California Notes

Important state-specific details

California death records restricted to authorized requesters for 40 years after the event.
CDPH mail-in orders require a notarized Sworn Statement - unique California requirement.
Fee increased to $26 effective January 1, 2026 per AB 64.
Funeral homes typically assist with initial death certificate filing - contact them first for recent deaths.
Order multiple certified copies at once - estates, insurance, banks, and SSA each require a certified copy; most families need 8-12 copies in California.
Informational copies (marked "NOT A VALID DOCUMENT") available to anyone but not valid for legal purposes.

Official Source

State office contact

State Office

California Department of Public Health Vital Records - cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CHSI/Pages/Vital-Records | (916) 445-2684 | P.O. Box 997410, Sacramento, CA 95899-7410