Order Your Official California Death Certificate Online
Quick, easy and secure — we prepare and file your application, and your certified copy is delivered by mail.
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Ordering a different record type? Birth|Marriage OR from a different state?
Simple, Secure Online Process
Get your vital records in three easy steps
Select Record Type
Choose the vital record you need from any U.S. state
Complete Application
Complete the secure application form and required documentation
Secure Delivery
Receive your official certificate securely via mail
Death Certificate
Standard: 4 to 6 weeks
Processing Time
Standard: 4 to 6 weeks
Filing Level: State or County
Requirements
- • Completed application for a certified copy of the death record
- • Sworn statement of identity (notarized when an authorized copy is requested)
- • Government-issued photo ID for the requester
- • Full name of the decedent and date of death
- • City and county where the death occurred
- • Your relationship to the decedent and the reason for the request
Who Can Order Certified Records?
Most states allow the following individuals to order certified copies of vital records.
Birth Certificates
- The person named on the certificate
- Parent or legal guardian
- Spouse
- Child
- Legal representative
Death Certificates
- Immediate family members
- Legal representatives
- Estate administrators
Marriage Certificates
- Either spouse
- Legal representatives
- Authorized requesters depending on state rules
Divorce Certificates
- Either party named on the record
- Legal representatives
- Authorized requesters depending on state rules
Eligibility requirements vary by state. The application will confirm eligibility during the order process.
Order a Certified Record
Order official certificates from all 50 U.S. states
Payment Information
| Certified Copy of California Death Certificate | |
|---|---|
| $140.00 | Online processing fee (US Records service fee) |
| $26.00 | California agency fee (per copy) |
| Free | Filing speed: Standard Filing |
| $14.95 | Filing speed: Priority Filing |
| $29.95 | Filing speed: Expedited Filing |
Fees & Payment
We accept Visa, Mastercard and debit cards.
Our service fee: a processing fee charged at the time of your order, covering our secure online platform, application preparation, review and support.
Agency fee: the California issuing agency charges a separate fee for each certified copy. It is collected with your order and passed through to the agency.
Please Note
Filing speed: additional fees may apply depending on the filing speed you choose. Agency processing and delivery times are controlled by the issuing agency.
Agency fees are set by the issuing agency and are subject to change without notice.
If no record is found, fees may be applied to cover the cost of the record search and are non-refundable.
US Records is a private, non-government provider and is not affiliated with any federal, state or local government agency.
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Official State-Issued Certificates
Issued by the appropriate state or county agency
Transparent Pricing
Clear breakdown of service and state fees
How to get a California death certificate
You get a California death certificate from either the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) or the county recorder in the county where the death occurred, by filing an application with a copy of your ID and — for an authorized copy — a notarized sworn statement, plus the agency fee of $26.00 per copy. With US Records you answer one online form and we prepare, notarize and file it for you.
- Give us the record details. The full name of the deceased, the date of death and the city and county where the death occurred.
- State your relationship. This determines whether you receive an authorized certified copy or an informational copy.
- Upload your photo ID and complete the sworn statement — notarization is handled online, so you do not need to visit a notary.
- Pay once for the processing fee and every copy you order.
- We file and track it with the correct California office and email you at each step until the certificate is delivered.
Applying directly yourself
You can apply yourself for less. Download CDPH's application for a certified copy of a death record, have the sworn statement notarized if you need an authorized copy, and mail it with a check or money order for $26.00 per copy to CDPH Vital Records. The county recorder in the county of death accepts the same request, usually faster, at a fee between $26.00 and $33.00 depending on the county. The certificate is identical either way. US Records is an independent private service and is not a government agency.
Who can order a California death certificate
Authorized certified copies of a California death record are restricted to close family, legal representatives and people with a court or official interest. Anyone may order an informational copy.
- A parent or legal guardian of the deceased
- A child, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, spouse or domestic partner of the deceased
- A party entitled to receive the record by court order
- An attorney representing the deceased's estate, or the executor or administrator of the estate
- A member of a law enforcement or government agency conducting official business
- A funeral director ordering on behalf of the family, or an agent of an authorized person
The person signing must declare their relationship under penalty of perjury on a notarized sworn statement. Requesters who are not on California's authorized list receive an informational copy.
Authorized vs informational death copies in California
An authorized certified copy can be used to close accounts and settle an estate; an informational copy cannot. Both contain the same record information.
| Authorized certified copy | Informational copy | |
|---|---|---|
| Who may order | Family, estate representatives, legal and official parties | Anyone |
| Notarized sworn statement | Required | Not required |
| Accepted by banks, insurers, courts | Yes | No — stamped “informational, not a valid document to establish identity” |
| Typical use | Estate, insurance, benefits, property | Genealogy and personal records |
California death certificate cost
One certified California death certificate through US Records is $166.00 all in — our $140.00 processing fee plus the $26.00 California agency fee per copy, charged once at checkout.
| Line item | Amount |
|---|---|
| US Records processing fee (per order) | $140.00 |
| California agency fee (per certified copy) | $26.00 |
| Total for one certified copy | $166.00 |
Estates usually need several copies — one for each bank, insurer, pension provider and title transfer. Extra copies are charged at the agency fee only, so ordering them together is cheaper than returning later. Across California, agency death-record fees run from $26.00 to $33.00 depending on the office, and CDPH charges $26.00. There is never a second charge after checkout.
How long a California death certificate takes
CDPH currently reports 4 to 6 weeks for certified death copies, while California county recorders typically take 1 to 2 weeks. Our preparation and filing add hours, not weeks.
| Stage | Who controls it | Typical time |
|---|---|---|
| Application prepared, notarized and filed | US Records | Same or next business day |
| County recorder processing | County recorder | 1 to 2 weeks |
| CDPH state processing | CDPH | 4 to 6 weeks |
| Mail delivery | Postal service | Varies by destination |
When you can tell us with certainty which county the death occurred in, we file with that county recorder because it is normally faster. Otherwise we file with CDPH, which holds death records for the whole state.
What a California death certificate is used for
Settling an estate
Probate courts, executors and county recorders require certified copies to transfer property, close or retitle accounts and complete an affidavit of death of a joint tenant or trustee.
Life insurance and annuity claims
Insurers will not release a payout without a certified copy showing the cause and date of death. Most require an original certified copy rather than a photocopy or scan.
Banking and financial accounts
Banks, brokerages and pension administrators need a certified copy to release funds, close accounts, or move a payable-on-death account to the named beneficiary.
Benefits and government notifications
Social Security survivor benefits, veterans' benefits, employer pensions and the DMV all request a certified death certificate as proof.
What you'll need to order
- Full name of the deceased as recorded, including any name changes
- Date of death, and the city and county where the death occurred
- Your relationship to the deceased
- A valid government-issued photo ID for the person signing
- A notarized sworn statement for an authorized copy — handled online with your order
- Payment at checkout
More California vital records
Order a California birth certificate or a California marriage certificate, see the California vital records hub, or pick from all 58 counties in the list below.
California Death Certificate — Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I get a copy of a death certificate in California?
- File an application for a certified copy of a death record with either CDPH or the county recorder in the county where the death occurred, along with a copy of your photo ID, a notarized sworn statement for an authorized copy, and the agency fee. Through US Records, one online form covers all of it — total $166.00 for one certified copy.
- Who can order a California death certificate?
- In most cases immediate family members, legal representatives and estate administrators may order a certified California death certificate. The issuing agency makes the final eligibility decision, and we confirm your relationship to the record before filing.
- How long does it take to get a California death certificate?
- The California issuing agency currently reports 4 to 6 weeks for this record type. We prepare and file your application first, then track it through to delivery and email you at each step.
- What does a California death certificate cost in total?
- One certified copy is $166.00 in total: a $140.00 US Records processing fee plus the $26.00 California agency fee per copy. Additional copies and faster filing speeds are priced at checkout before you pay.
- Can I order a California death certificate for a family member?
- Yes, when you are an eligible requester — typically immediate family members or legal representatives. You will tell us your relationship to the record during the application, and we only file requests the California issuing agency allows.
- How many California death certificates should I order?
- Most estates need several. Banks, insurers, pension administrators, the DMV and title transfers each usually want their own certified copy. Extra copies are charged at the agency fee only, so ordering them together costs less than placing a second order later.
List of California Counties
About US Records
US Records is a private service that assists individuals with ordering vital records from government agencies. We are not a government agency. Official vital records may be obtained directly from the issuing government office for free or at a lower cost. Our fees cover the convenience of online ordering, guided assistance, document review, and document filing, to help ensure your order meets agency requirements.