How to Get a Death Certificate in California

You can get a death certificate in California through the CDPH Department of Vital Records or a third-party company like VitalChek. Your funeral service provider can typically handle this part of the arrangement process for you. This article will tell you all you need to know.

Key Takeaways

• Death certificates are legal records that prove a person has died. They are necessary for cremation and burial and can also help settle the deceased’s accounts.
• To process a death certificate, you must first provide the processing party, whether that be a funeral home, the Department of Vital Records, or a third-party service, with vital information about your loved one. The information can be submitted by mail, in-person, or electronically, and each method has different delivery timelines.
• People authorized to obtain a copy of the death certificate include certain family members, the executor of the estate, power of attorney, and law enforcement or attorneys if the death certificate is needed in a legal matter. Funeral service providers like Opal can also request death certificates on the family’s behalf, reducing stress during a difficult time.

Table of Contents

• What is a Death Certificate?
• Who Is Authorized to Obtain a Copy of the Death Certificate?
• What Information is Needed?
• How Do I Obtain Copies of the Death Certificate
• Who Needs a Copy of the Death Certificate?
• What If I Need More Death Certificates Later?
• About Opal Cremation of Southern California
• FAQs

Introduction

According to the National Statistics System, roughly 2.8 million deaths happen each year, each generating a death certificate. But that doesn’t make the process any easier for Los Angeles and Orange County families who lost a loved one.

Opal Cremation can help you during this difficult time by preparing and filing this vital record on your behalf and ordering copies for you, but there are still a few things only you can provide, like personal details about your loved one and proof of your relationship to them. This guide walks you through exactly what’s involved, whether you’re working with Opal or handling it entirely on your own.

This article focuses on California laws and regulations around obtaining a death certificate. However, if you’re looking for a broader discussion on this topic, please refer to this article:
https://www.opalcremation.com/death-certificates-everything-you-need-to-know/

What is a Death Certificate?

A death certificate is a public record filed in the county of death that proves a person has died.

All deaths must be registered with the county or state vital records department for documentation and legal purposes. In the State of California, a death certificate must be filed within eight days of death. This vital record is needed to proceed with a burial or cremation.

A death certificate is required by law for many purposes, such as:

• Closing accounts
• Accessing life insurance or death benefits
• Settling estates
• Getting a permit for cremation or burial

Who Is Authorized to Obtain a Copy of the Death Certificate?

Here is a list of people who are authorized to receive a certified copy of a death certificate:

• A parent, legal guardian, child, grandparent, sibling, spouse, or domestic partner of the deceased
• A member of a law enforcement agency or other government agency conducting official business regarding the deceased
• Power of attorney or executor of the estate
• An attorney representing the registrant or the registrant’s estate
• A funeral establishment (such as Opal Cremation), acting on behalf of and employed by the family
• Surviving next of kin

Please keep in mind that the CDPH charges $26 per certified copy of the death certificate.

You can find out more information from the California Department of Public Health.

What Information is Needed?

A death certificate requires pertinent information about the deceased gathered from the next of kin, including:

• The deceased’s full name and address
• Their birth date and birthplace
• Their father and mother’s names and birthplaces
• Social security number
• Veteran’s discharge or claim number (if applicable)
• Education level
• Marital status and full name of surviving spouse
• Place, date, and time of death
• Cause of death

A signature of the doctor, coroner, or medical examiner is also necessary to file the document with Vital Records at the California Department of Public Health. The process must be expedited quickly, as there is an eight-day window from the time of death to file.

“The main message to physicians is that this is the last important thing that can do for families.”

Jennifer Woodward, section manager at the Oregon Health Authority’s Center for Health Statistics, Vital Records, and Certificates, from the article, “Death Certificate Delays Can Cause Significant Problems for Those Unprepared”

How Do I Obtain Copies of the Death Certificate?

After the death certificate is filed, those who qualify may order certified or informational copies.

Certified copies are only provided to authorized recipients. Most institutions will require them to close accounts, settle estates or property titles, or claim insurance. Informational copies can be provided to anyone who requests them and are typically only useful for personal recordkeeping and genealogy research.

Opal Cremation can order informational or certified copies of the death certificate on the family’s behalf to make the process as simple and easy as possible.

Family members may also order copies on their own from:

• The CDPH Department of Vital Records, or
• A third-party company, like Vital Chek.

All that’s needed is a notarized sworn statement declaring that the person requesting the certified copy is authorized by law to receive the document. You can find this form, along with the Application for a Certified Copy of Death Record, here.

Who Needs a Copy of the Death Certificate?

You’ll need to provide copies of the death certificate to settle the deceased’s affairs. Most institutions will require a certified copy. It’s a good idea to order five to ten copies, a recommendation backed by the AARP. Here is a list of institutions or establishments that will require a certified copy:

• Life insurance provider
• Death benefits provider
• Social Security office
• Veterans Affairs (if applicable)
• Financial institutions and investment firms
• Banks
• DMV
• 401k and retirement plans
• Mortgage lender or landlord
• Utility companies
• Post office

Ideally, people should have discussions with their families, so they know which accounts need to be closed or transferred. However, you can also check the deceased’s mail and filing cabinet to discover which accounts need to be settled.

What If I Need More Death Certificates Later?

If your family needs additional death certificates in the future, they can be ordered from your local Department of Health (such as the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health or the Orange County Health Care Agency), even years after the death. The individual will need to provide identification to show they are authorized to purchase the deceased’s certificates.

Our support staff at Opal can also assist with this as well.

“If you ever need additional death certificates, call us anytime! We’ll be sure to get them to you within a couple of days – mailed directly to your home,” says Opal Cremation’s CEO Troy Centazzo.

Opal does not charge for this service beyond the cost of the death certificate. We can get them for you much faster than ordering through the County site, and you can avoid paying the extra processing fee they charge.

About Opal Cremation of Southern California

At Opal Cremation, we simplify the end-of-life process so you can focus on what matters most. Opal provides consumers in Los Angeles and Orange County with straightforward and affordable direct cremation service with specialized resources to aid during a difficult time. Our staff is available to assist you with any further questions you may have regarding the death of your loved one.

If you are located in Southern California, please do not hesitate to reach out to us for support.

FAQs

How many death certificates should I order?

We recommend families order five to ten death certificates depending on the number of accounts the person had open, and any real estate owned or rented.

How much does a death certificate cost in California?

At the time of writing this article, death certificates cost $26 in California.

Can I still order a death certificate years after the death?

Yes, you can still order a death certificate years after the death. There is no cutoff. Death certificates are part of the permanent record, so authorized family members can order certified copies, even decades later.

Do I need a death certificate before I can cremate or bury my loved one?

Yes, death certificates are required for burial and cremation, as they are a necessary step in obtaining a permit for disposition. Opal starts the process right away to ensure there is no delay.

Who is legally authorized to order a certified copy?

Death certificate copies can be ordered by a member of the immediate family as well as grandparents, legal guardians, domestic partners, and next of kin. They are also accessible to funeral homes acting on the family’s behalf, power of attorney, the executor of the estate, and attorneys and law enforcement when related to a legal matter.

Sources

• California Health and Safety Code § 102775. Justia. https://law.justia.com/codes/california/2005/hsc/102775-102805.html
• National Center for Health Statistics. “NVSS – Mortality Data.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/deaths.htm
• “Financial Decisions After the Death of a Spouse.” https://www.aarp.org/money/personal-finance/time-sensitive-financial-decisions-after-death-of-spouse/
• Woodward, Jennifer. “Death Certificate Delays Can Cause Significant Problems for Those Unprepared.” Blue Mountain Eagle. https://bluemountaineagle.com/news/death-certificate-delays-can-cause-significant-problems-for-those-unprepared/article_82d0beda-4f3d-11e9-b982-b3cbfa98052f.html