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How to get a California death certificate

In California, order a certified death certificate from the California Department of Public Health – Vital Records.1 Counties also issue records for events in their county; they are separate from CDPH.2 Each certified copy costs $263. You can order online, by mail or at a local office. Only the people the state lists below can order a certified copy. The fastest published option is at a local office: same day4.

Last checked against official sources.

On this page
  1. Ways to order
  2. What a California death certificate costs
  3. How long it takes
  4. Who can order a California death certificate
  5. ID you need
  6. What the application asks for
  7. Forms
  8. Years held and older records
  9. Special situations
  10. Warnings from the office
  11. The state office
  12. Questions people ask
  13. Sources

Ways to order

HowCost per copyProcessing timePayment
Online through VitalChek Network, Inc.$265, plus $12.955 VitalChek handling fee
+ one extra charge		Up to 20 business days6Card6
By mail$2634 to 6 weeks on average7Check and money order3
At a local office$265 (San Diego County)
+ one extra charge		Same day4Cash, check, money order and card5

Not offered: in person and online directly with the vital records office.2

Online through VitalChek Network, Inc.

Vendor
VitalChek Network, Inc. (authorized by counties; CDPH names no vendor)6
Fees
  • Per copy $265
  • VitalChek handling fee $12.955
  • VitalChek expedited delivery fee $195
Processing time
Up to 20 business days6
Expedited service
$19. Optional expedited delivery5
Payment
Card6

Good to know

  • The state office takes no responsibility for vendor charges or service.8
  • An ID step can still apply: Los Angeles County may ask for a notarized Certificate of Identity.6
  • Fee is not refunded if no record is found.5

By mail

Run by
California Department of Public Health, Vital Records (CDPH-VR)8
Fees
  • Per copy $263
Processing time
4 to 6 weeks on average7
Expedited service
Not offered2
Payment
Check and money order3
Mail to
California Department of Public Health, Vital Records - MS 5103, P.O. Box 997410, Sacramento, CA 95899-7410
9
Appointment
Not required10

Good to know

  • Sent First Class only, with no tracking unless you supply a prepaid envelope.2
  • No cancellation or refund once accepted.1

Open the application or mail instructions11

At a local office

Run by
County recorder; for recent births and deaths also the local registrar (county health department)12
Fees
  • Per copy $2656
  • Surcharge is applicable for card payments $2.505
Processing time
Same day4
Payment
Cash, check, money order and card5
Appointment
Not required5

Good to know

  • Counties issue only for events in their county.11
  • County fees and application rules can differ from the state form.7

Find a local office12

What a California death certificate costs

First certified copy
$263
Each additional copy
$263
Fees in effect since
Jan. 1, 20263

Types of copies

CopyAccepted forFee
Certified Authorized Copy13Can establish identity; meets passport application requirements per CDPH.2$263
Certified Informational Copy11Cannot establish identity.13$263
Certificate of No Public Record (CNPR)2–$263

No-fee copies

  • Who: Individuals who lost records in the Gann fire; Record: birth, death, marriage14

How long it takes

These are the office's own published times. Mail and shipping time is extra unless the office says otherwise.

How you orderProcessing timeCounted
Online through VitalChek Network, Inc.Up to 20 business days6From receipt
By mail4 to 6 weeks on average7From receipt
At a local officeSame day4–

Who can order a California death certificate

The state names these people and bodies as able to order a certified copy. Each line gives the official wording.

  • The person named on the record, a parent named on the record, legal guardian, child, grandparent, grandchild, brother or sister, spouse and domestic partner: The registrant or a parent, legal guardian, child, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, spouse, or domestic partner of the registrant.13
    Proof: Legal guardian must provide documentation.11
  • Person named in a court order13
    Proof: Copy of the court order13
  • Government agency: A member of a law enforcement agency or a representative of another governmental agency, as provided by law, who is conducting official business.13
    Proof: Companies representing an agency must show agency authorization; agencies are exempt from notarization.13
  • Executor or estate administrator13
    Proof: Copy of the power of attorney or documentation identifying the executor13
  • Attorney or legal representative: An attorney representing the registrant or the registrant’s estate.13
  • Funeral director: Any agent or employee of a funeral establishment who acts within the course and scope of employment and on behalf of persons specified in HSC § 7100 (a) (1)-(8).13
    Proof: Funeral establishments are exempt from the notary requirement on the state form.11
  • Surviving next of kin (As specified in HSC § 7100).13

Other kinds of copies

  • Informational copy Anyone: Persons who are not eligible to receive a certified copy can receive a certified informational copy.11
    Proof: None required: no sworn statement.11
Cause of death
Not restricted2
Social Security number on the copy
Informational copies of some years have signatures and Social Security numbers redacted.11

ID you need

Photo ID
Required13
Accepted ID
  • Valid government-issued photo ID5
Without that ID
In person at a county, a statement sworn before the official replaces the notary. Electronic identity verification is permitted by statute where an official offers it.15
Notarization
Required13

What the application asks for

Have these details ready before you fill in the form or start an online order.11

  • First, middle and last name
  • County of death
  • Date of death (or approximate date)
  • Social Security Number
  • Date of birth (or approximate date)
  • Mother/parent name
  • Spouse/domestic partner name

Forms

Years held and older records

Years the issuing office holds
July 1905 to today10
Older records
County recorder in the county of the event16

Special situations

If no record is found
CDPH keeps the fee and issues a Certificate of No Public Record.2 Details
Use abroad
Put "apostille" as the purpose on the application; CDPH sends instructions and the Secretary of State issues it.2 Details
If the person has died
Death records are available two weeks after the death; a funeral home can file electronic corrections within a year.11 Details

Warnings from the office

  • CDPH does not work with third-party companies; refunds go through the vendor.2
  • Vendors no longer file online with CDPH since July 1, 2026.8

The state office

Office
California Department of Public Health – Vital Records (CDPH-VR)1
Mailing address
California Department of Public Health, Vital Records - MS 5103, P.O. Box 997410, Sacramento, CA 95899-7410
9
Hours
Customer service: Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Pacific Time9

Questions people ask

How much is a certified California death certificate?

Each certified copy costs $26.3

How long does it take to get a California death certificate?

Online through VitalChek Network, Inc.: up to 20 business days. By mail: 4 to 6 weeks on average. At a local office: same day.674

What ID do I need?

The state accepts: valid government-issued photo ID.5

Where are older California death certificates kept?

County recorder in the county of the event.16

Sources

Every fact on this page comes from these official sources, checked on November 5, 2026. Tap a source number next to a fact to read the exact words.

  1. CDPH Vital Records homeCalifornia Department of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated August 14, 2026
  2. Vital Records FAQsCalifornia Department of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated October 22, 2025
  3. Vital Records FeesCalifornia Department of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated January 29, 2026
  4. Vital recordsOrange County Clerk-Recorder
  5. Death Certificate RequestSan Diego County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk
  6. Death Record Online RequestLos Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk
  7. Processing TimesCalifornia Department of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated July 9, 2026
  8. Third Party VendorsCalifornia Department of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated July 13, 2026
  9. Contact CDPH Vital RecordsCalifornia Department of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated February 27, 2026
  10. Obtaining Certified Copies of Death CertificatesCalifornia Department of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated March 11, 2026
  11. VS 112 (01/2026) application, deathCalifornia Department of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated January 1, 2026
  12. County Registrar and Recorder DirectoryCalifornia Department of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated November 20, 2025
  13. Authorized Copy vs. Informational CopyCalifornia Department of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated October 23, 2025
  14. State of Emergency - Gann FireCalifornia Department of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated August 14, 2026
  15. HSC Section 103526California Legislature, Legislative Informationdated January 1, 2022
  16. State Archives FAQCalifornia State Archives, Secretary of State