California Death Records

Lake County Death Records

Lake County, built around Clear Lake — the largest natural freshwater lake entirely within California — has a history tied to agriculture, mining, and tourism. The county's hot springs and resort communities attracted visitors and retirees throughout the 20th century. Its death records reflect a small, rural population with deep local roots.

How to Get a Lake County Death Certificate

Death certificates for deaths that occurred in Lake County can be obtained from the county clerk's office or from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). The county office is typically faster for in-person requests.

Lake County County Recorder

Address: 255 N Forbes St, Lakeport, CA 95453
Phone: (707) 263-2293
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM; Friday, 8:00 AM - 11:45 AM
Fee: $31 per certified copy
Additional copies $31 each.
Website: https://www.lakecountyca.gov/674/

By mail: 255 N Forbes St, Lakeport, CA 95453. Include a check or money order payable to the Lake County County Recorder for $31 per copy.

Online: Order through VitalChek. Additional service fees may apply for online orders.

What You'll Need to Request a Death Certificate

— Full legal name of the deceased
— Date of death (or approximate range)
— Place of death (city or county)
— Your relationship to the deceased
— Valid government-issued photo ID
— Social Security number of deceased (if known — helps locate the record)

Tip: If you're missing some of this information, try searching our free death index first. Our database includes dates of birth and death, county of death, parents' names, and Social Security numbers for deaths from 1940–1997.

Authorized vs. Informational Copies

California issues two types of death certificates. Authorized copies are available only to family members and legal representatives — they can be used for legal purposes like settling estates. Informational copies are available to anyone regardless of relationship — useful for genealogy and family history research. Both cost the same fee. See our complete guide to getting a death certificate for details.

Alternative: Order from CDPH

The California Department of Public Health can issue death certificates for any death that occurred in California, not just Lake County. This is useful if you're unsure which county the death occurred in. Processing takes 5–7 weeks by mail or 1–3 days through VitalChek online. The fee is $26 per copy. See our death certificate guide for complete CDPH ordering instructions.

Search Lake County Death Records Free

Our California Death Index includes death records from Lake County covering 1940 through 1997. Each record includes the deceased's name, dates of birth and death, parents' names, and Social Security number (where available). Search our free death index →

Looking for records after 1997? Learn why the index stops and where to find more recent records.