State Vital Records in California
The California Department of Public Health - Vital Records issues certified copies of death certificates for deaths that occurred in California. Executors and surviving family order certified copies to close accounts, file insurance claims, and transfer titles; the office sets the fees, eligibility rules, and processing times.
Administering agency
California Department of Public Health - Vital Records
State Vital Records in California: key facts
- Administering office
- California Department of Public Health - Vital Records.
- Mail orders
- California Department of Public Health, Vital Records - MS 5103, P.O. Box 997410, Sacramento, CA 95899-7410.
- Certificate fee
- $26 for the first certified copy.
- Processing time
- 4-6 weeks at state office; county offices often faster.
- Who may order
- Parent, legal guardian, child, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, spouse, or domestic partner; Law enforcement or government agency conducting official business; Attorney representing registrant or estate; Surviving next of kin per HSC 7100.
- Filing deadline
- The death certificate must be filed within 8 days.
- Public record
- Death records are public immediately.
- Records available from
- July 1905.
Steps to take when someone dies
- Confirm the death occurred in California — the record belongs to the state where the death occurred, regardless of where the deceased lived.
- Order certified copies through any of the office's channels:
- By mail: Submit Application for Certified Copy of Death Record (VS 112) by mail
- In person: Visit the county office where death was registered
- Include what the office requires with the order:
- Valid photo ID
- Notarized sworn statement for authorized copy requests
- Allow the office's processing time (4-6 weeks at state office; county offices often faster).
California Department of Public Health - Vital Records
Visit the agency website →Frequently asked questions
by mail: Submit Application for Certified Copy of Death Record (VS 112) by mail. in person: Visit the county office where death was registered. Mail orders go to California Department of Public Health, Vital Records - MS 5103, P.O. Box 997410, Sacramento, CA 95899-7410.
The death certificate must be filed within 8 days. The funeral director or person in charge of disposition files the certificate with the state; the family orders certified copies once the record is registered.
Valid photo ID; Notarized sworn statement for authorized copy requests. The office also asks for the deceased's full name, date of death, and place of death to locate the record.
The record belongs to the state where the death occurred, not the state of residence. Order from the state of death, following its fees and eligibility rules.
Sources
Data sourced from State Vital Records in California primary sources (1 page reviewed). How we research.
Administering agency
California Department of Public Health - Vital Records