California Death Records

To begin, add a death record or view a list of locations and resources for California death records.

One of the most important tasks of a genealogy researcher or archiver is to establish birth and death dates. This is why it is so important to understand vital or public records. Public records include death, as well as birth, marriage, and divorce records, among others. For anyone researching their family tree in California, there are a few things to know that will make your search easier.

While a lot of other states fix a record for a certain number of years after it is created, this is not the case in California. Instead, California releases two different kinds of copies depending on the relationship of the person requesting the record. Those named on the record and their family can get a certified or official copy of any record, and anyone else can get a purely informational copy. The state suggests that you should wait six months before searching for a California death certificate just to make sure that the record has been processed. Finding death records in California is easy and can provide a lot of valuable information about your family history.

To receive a death record fill out the California Death Certificate Mail-in Form. Mail your application to:

California death certificates are available from 1905 to today. Authorized and informational copies can be obtained with the small fee of $12.00. If you want an authorized copy you must provide a notarized statement confirming that you are eligible to receive the copy. For more information about how you can obtain a copy of a death certificate in California, visit: California Department of Public Health