Get a Certified California Death Certificate

You can request a California death certificate from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) by mail or online, or from the County Recorder in the county where the death occurred. CDPH mail requests require a completed Application for Certified Copy of Death Record (VS 113), a Sworn Statement, and a check or money order. Processing by mail typically takes 4 to 6 weeks. For faster service, you may order online through the CDPH portal or through an authorized third-party provider.

A certified copy of a California death certificate costs $21 when ordered through the CDPH. County Recorder fees may vary. Additional copies ordered at the same time may cost less per copy. Expedited processing, shipping, and online convenience fees are extra. If you need multiple certified copies for insurance claims, estate settlement, or property transfers, it is often more cost-effective to order them together.

California death certificates are not public records. Only authorized individuals may obtain a certified copy. Eligible requesters include the surviving spouse or domestic partner, a parent or child of the deceased, the executor or administrator of the estate, a person with a court order, and government agencies or law enforcement acting in an official capacity. Each requester must complete a Sworn Statement under penalty of perjury. If you are not an eligible party, you may obtain an Informational copy, which is not valid for legal purposes but provides the same details. Alternatively, an authorized applicant can grant a notarized Power of Attorney (PoA) to allow a representative to request a certified copy on their behalf.

Yes. You can order a California death certificate online through the CDPH vital records portal or through authorized third-party services. Online orders require a valid credit or debit card and a completed Sworn Statement. Processing time for online orders is typically faster than mail-in requests, but still takes several weeks through CDPH. County Recorder offices may also offer online ordering with varying processing times.

An officially certified death certificate from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) will have unique security features to ensure its authenticity. The appearance of an official death certificate may vary depending on the year of issue, but it will contain essential details confirming the individual's identity at the time of death. Official death certificates from California typically feature the state seal, the individual's name, the date and place of death, and the state registrar's signature. They are printed on secure, tamper-resistant paper with watermarks and other security elements. The CDPH issues these certificates by state guidelines, and all counties follow these secure issuance procedures.

• Full Name of the Decedent: The full legal name of the person whose death is being recorded.
• Date of Death: The exact date and time of death of the individual.
• Place of Death: The city, county, and state where the death occurred, along with the specific facility or location.
• Cause of Death: The immediate and underlying causes of death, as certified by the attending physician or medical examiner.
• Medical Certification Information: Includes details about who certified the death, such as the attending physician or coroner, and any contributing medical factors.
• Demographic Information: The deceased's age, sex, race, ethnicity, marital status, education level, and occupation.
• Disposition Details: Information about the method of disposition (burial, cremation, etc.), the date and place of disposition, and the funeral home or director responsible.
• Informant Information: The name and relationship of the person providing personal details of the deceased.
• Social Security Number: The Social Security number of the deceased.

The process to amend a California death certificate involves several steps depending on the type of correction needed. When an amendment is made, a new certificate is issued with the correct information. Common corrections include misspellings, dates, demographic information, and updates to the cause of death, which may require medical documentation.

Obtain the Necessary Form: Complete the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Affidavit to Amend a Death Record Form VS 24, available online or from the Vital Records Office.

Gather Supporting Documentation: To correct a parent's date of birth, place of birth, or name error, you must submit a photocopy of the parent's birth certificate. To correct the decedent's date or place of birth, please provide a photocopy of the birth certificate. If you are correcting marital status, you need to submit a copy of the decedent's marriage certificate or divorce decree (though this is not required).

Submit the Application: Mail the completed form and documents to the CDPH or submit them in person at local county offices. California Department of Public Health Vital Records - MS 5103 P.O. Box 997410 Sacramento, CA 95899-7410

Pay the Amendment Fee: There is no fee if amending a record within the first year of death. A fee of $26.00 is required for processing, and each additional copy is $26.00. Payments must be made payable to CDPH Vital Records by check or money order.

Processing Time: Simple amendments typically take 6 to 8 weeks, while complex ones may take longer.

Apostilles are issued by the Secretary of State for records initially filed with the California Department of Health, such as death certificates. You need a California apostille when you file documents with a foreign government. It is a special certificate that verifies the authenticity of a vital record for international use and is acceptable in countries that are part of the Hague Convention.

We offer comprehensive apostille services for death certificates across all 50 US states. Governments and organizations acknowledge the service, which is legally valid in over 100 countries. VRO’s service comes with expert support, costs $149 (plus government fees), and can be accomplished online in just three steps.

If you are manually submitting a request for an apostille to the California Secretary of State's Office, you will need to provide the following items:

1. The certified copy of your death certificate, with the original signature and seal of the current California State Registrar;
2. A completed Authentication Request Form (specify which country you will submit the document to); and
3. A payment of $20.00 per document – checks and money orders should be made payable to the "Secretary of State," or you can provide your credit card information.

Submit your request to the California Secretary of State Authentication and Apostille Division at the following addresses:

In-person/by mail (standard or express courier):

Or in-person/by mail:

Ensure that you specify on the application form that you need an apostille and indicate the country to which the document will be submitted. The fee for a death certificate is $26.00, and the apostille fee is $20.00.