California Death Records

San Diego County Death Records

San Diego County's military presence — particularly the Navy and Marine Corps — makes its death records uniquely important for military family research. The county's population surged during and after World War II, and many veterans settled permanently in San Diego. Death records from the county often include individuals born across the United States who spent their final years in Southern California's mild climate.

How to Get a San Diego County Death Certificate

Death certificates for deaths that occurred in San Diego 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 Diego County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk

Address: 1600 Pacific Highway, Suite 260, San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: (619) 237-0502
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Fee: $34 per certified copy
As of January 1, 2026 (AB 64 $2 increase). An additional $2.50 surcharge applies to card payments.
Website: https://www.sdarcc.gov/content/arcc/home/divisions/recorder-clerk/birth-death-marriage-certificate.html

By mail: San Diego Recorder/County Clerk, ATTN: Vital Records, P.O. Box 121750, San Diego, CA 92112-1750. Include a check or money order payable to the San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/County 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 Diego 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 Diego County Death Records Free

Our California Death Index includes death records from San Diego 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.