California Death Records

How to Get a Certified Death Certificate in California

Whether you need a death certificate for settling an estate, claiming life insurance, or genealogical research, California offers several ways to obtain one. Here's what you need to know.

Authorized vs. Informational Copies

California issues two types of death certificates. Understanding the difference matters because it determines what you can do with the document.

Authorized (Certified) Copy — A full certified copy with no restrictions. Required to settle estates, claim insurance benefits, notify Social Security, transfer property, and other legal purposes. Only available to authorized requesters (see below).

Informational Copy — Contains the same information but is stamped "INFORMATIONAL, NOT A VALID DOCUMENT TO ESTABLISH IDENTITY." Depending on the year of death, signatures and Social Security numbers may be redacted. Available to anyone regardless of relationship to the deceased. Useful for genealogy, family history, and personal records.

Both types cost the same fee.

Who Can Request an Authorized Copy?

Under California Health and Safety Code Section 103526(c), the following are authorized to receive a certified death certificate:

— Spouse or registered domestic partner
— Parent or legal guardian
— Adult child or grandchild
— Grandparent
— Sibling
— Attorney or executor named in the will
— Court-appointed representative of the estate
— Licensed funeral director (within scope of employment)
— Law enforcement or government agency on official business
— Any person authorized by court order

Everyone else can still request an informational copy — no relationship to the deceased required, no sworn statement needed.

Current Fees (2026)

$26 per copy — whether authorized or informational. This fee was set by Assembly Bill 64 (effective January 1, 2026), which added $2 to the previous $24 fee. The fee applies at both CDPH and county offices.

If CDPH cannot locate the record, the fee is retained as a search fee and a Certificate of No Public Record is issued.

VitalChek (online ordering) adds a service fee of approximately 2.5% plus optional expedited shipping ($19 for UPS Express).

Three Ways to Order

1. Online Through VitalChek

CDPH partners with VitalChek (a LexisNexis service) for electronic ordering. This is the fastest option if you need the certificate quickly.

— Visit VitalChek.com
— Identity verification is done electronically
— Accepts credit and debit cards
— Processing: 1–3 days plus shipping
— Additional service fee applies
— Note: Death records are unavailable through VitalChek until 150 days after the date of death

2. By Mail to CDPH Vital Records

The traditional method. Slower but straightforward.

— Complete Form VS 112 (Application for Certified Copy of Death Record), available on the CDPH website
— If requesting an authorized copy, include a notarized sworn statement (included with the VS 112 form)
— Include a check or money order for $26 per copy, payable to "CDPH Vital Records"
— Mail to: California Department of Public Health, Vital Records — MS 5103, P.O. Box 997410, Sacramento, CA 95899-7410
— Processing time: 5–7 weeks (can increase with volume)

3. In Person at Your County Clerk

Often the fastest option, especially for recent deaths.

— Visit the county clerk/recorder or county health department where the death occurred
— Current-year and prior-year deaths: contact the County Health Department
— Older records: contact the County Recorder
— Processing: often same day for walk-in requests
— Same $26 state fee applies (some counties may add a small local surcharge)
— The county can only issue records for deaths that occurred within that county

Expert tip: If you need a death certificate quickly, the county clerk's office is almost always faster than ordering through CDPH by mail. CDPH does not have a walk-in public counter.

What Information You'll Need

— Full legal name of the deceased (including any aliases or maiden name)
— Date of death
— Place of death (city and county)
— Date of birth
— Social Security number (if known — helps locate the record)
— Your full name, address, and relationship to the deceased
— Valid government-issued photo ID
— For authorized copies: notarized sworn statement under penalty of perjury

Don't have all the details? Try searching our California Death Index first. Our free database covers 1940–1997 and includes dates of birth and death, county of death, parents' names, and Social Security numbers — exactly the information you need to complete a certificate request.

CDPH Vital Records Contact

Phone: (916) 445-2684
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM Pacific
Email: VitalRecordsInfo@cdph.ca.gov
Mail: CDPH Vital Records — MS 5103, P.O. Box 997410, Sacramento, CA 95899-7410
Records available: Deaths in California from July 1, 1905 to present

For deaths before July 1905, contact the County Recorder in the county where the death occurred.