California Death Certificate

Qualifications

The following people may request death certificates from the state of California:

• A parent or legal guardian of the deceased (legal guardian must provide documentation)
• A party entitled to receive the record as a result of a court order (a copy of the court order must be included in the application)
• A member of a law enforcement agency or a representative of another governmental agency, as provided by law, who is conducting official business (companies representing a government agency must provide authorization from the government agency)
• A child, grandparent, grandchild, brother or sister, spouse, or domestic partner of the deceased
• An attorney representing the deceased or the deceased's estate, or any person or agency empowered by statute or appointed by a court to act on behalf of the deceased or the deceased's estate (if you are requesting a certified copy under a power of attorney, include a copy of the power of attorney with the application form)
• Any agent or employee of a funeral establishment who acts within the course and scope of his or her employment and who orders certified copies of a death certificate on behalf of an individual specified above

The authorized individual requesting the certified copy must sign the Sworn Statement attached to the application, declaring under penalty of perjury that they are eligible to receive the certified copy of the death record, and identify their relationship to the deceased. The Sworn Statement must be notarized by a Notary Public. Law enforcement and local and state governmental agencies are exempt from the notary requirement.

Cost

The fee to search for a death certificate is $14.00, which includes one certified copy of the death certificate or a "Certificate of No Public Record." Checks or money orders should be made payable to the CDHP Vital Records. Cash is not accepted. Fees are not refundable.

Required Information

• Purpose of request
• Name of applicant
• Signature of applicant
• Mailing address
• Number of copies
• Daytime telephone number
• Deceased's name
• Deceased's sex
• City of death
• County of death
• Date of birth
• State of birth
• Date of death
• Social Security Number
• Mother/parent birth name
• Name of spouse/domestic partner of deceased

Submitting Your Request

Send the completed application and the appropriate fee to:
California Department of Public Health
Vital Records - MS 5103
P.O. Box 997410
Sacramento, CA 95899-7410

If using a courier service that requires a physical address for delivery, use the following address:
California Department of Public Health
Vital Records - MS 5103
1501 Capitol Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95814

Download the Application

Click here for more information regarding obtaining a certified California death certificate.

See our complete list of resources for California.