California Death Records

Santa Cruz County Death Records

Santa Cruz County's death records span its evolution from a seaside resort and agricultural community to a university town. The founding of UC Santa Cruz in 1965 transformed the county's demographics. Its relatively small population makes Santa Cruz County records a manageable set for family researchers to search through.

How to Get a Santa Cruz County Death Certificate

Death certificates for deaths that occurred in Santa Cruz 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.

Santa Cruz County County Clerk-Recorder

Address: 701 Ocean Street, Room 230, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Phone: (831) 454-2800
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Fee: $34 per certified copy
As of January 1, 2026 (AB 64 $2 increase)
Website: https://recorder.santacruzcountyca.gov/

By mail: Santa Cruz County Recorder's Office, 701 Ocean Street, Room 230, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. Include a check or money order payable to the Santa Cruz County 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 Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz County Death Records Free

Our California Death Index includes death records from Santa Cruz 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.