California Death Records

San Bernardino County Death Records

San Bernardino is the largest county in the contiguous United States by area, stretching from the Los Angeles suburbs to the Nevada and Arizona borders. Its death records reflect this geographic diversity — from urban communities in the western valleys to remote desert towns like Needles and Barstow. Military installations including Fort Irwin and the former Norton and George Air Force Bases contribute additional records.

How to Get a San Bernardino County Death Certificate

Death certificates for deaths that occurred in San Bernardino 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.

San Bernardino County Assessor-Recorder-Clerk

Address: 222 W. Hospitality Lane, 1st Floor, San Bernardino, CA 92415
Phone: (855) 732-2575
Hours: By appointment — strongly encouraged and prioritized
Fee: $34 per certified copy
As of January 1, 2026 (AB 64 $2 increase)
Website: https://arc.sbcounty.gov/vital-records/

By mail: San Bernardino County Recorder, 222 West Hospitality Lane, San Bernardino, CA 92415-0022. Include a check or money order payable to the San Bernardino County Assessor-Recorder-Clerk for $34 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 San Bernardino 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 San Bernardino County Death Records Free

Our California Death Index includes death records from San Bernardino 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.