California Death Records

Orange County Death Records

Orange County grew from a quiet agricultural area of citrus groves to one of California's most densely populated suburban counties during the postwar boom. Its population surged from 130,000 in 1940 to over 2.4 million by 1990, meaning the vast majority of death records in our database for Orange County come from the latter decades of coverage. The county became a retirement destination in the 1960s–80s, adding death records for people originally from across the country.

How to Get a Orange County Death Certificate

Death certificates for deaths that occurred in Orange 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.

Orange County Clerk-Recorder

Address: 200 W. Santa Ana Blvd., Suite 100-B, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Phone: (714) 834-2500
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Fee: $34 per certified copy
As of January 1, 2026 (AB 64 increase)
Website: https://ocrecorder.com/clerk-services/vital-records

By mail: Orange County Clerk-Recorder, P.O. Box 238, Santa Ana, CA 92702. Include a check or money order payable to the Orange County Clerk-Recorder for $34 per copy.

Online: Order through the county's online portal. 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 Orange 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 Orange County Death Records Free

Our California Death Index includes death records from Orange 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.