In most states, you are required to file for a death certificate within the first 10 days of the death. The process can be somewhat complex, depending on the circumstances surrounding the death.

In this blog post, we will outline the steps that you need to take in order to obtain a copy of a death certificate in California.

Table of Contents

Who Can Get A Death Certificate

How To Obtain A Death Certificate

What Information Needs To Be On The Death Certificate Application

How Long Does It Take To Get A Death Certificate

A certified copy of a death certificate can be obtained by the following individuals:

• The spouse of the deceased
• The domestic partner of the deceased
• An adult child of the deceased
• A parent of the deceased
• A grandparent of the deceased
• A sibling of the deceased
• A member of law enforcement
• Legal council
• Medical Professionals
• Funeral Directors

To obtain a certified copy of a death certificate, these individuals must submit a completed application form, as well as a copy of their drivers' license or other government-issued ID. There is a $24 fee for each certified copy.

1. Determine who is responsible for filing the death certificate. This can vary depending on the circumstances surrounding the death.

If the person died in a hospital or nursing home; the medical facility will usually be responsible for filing the death certificate.

If the person died at home; the responsibility falls on the next of kin or someone else who was responsible for taking care of the deceased person.

2. Fill out and submit an application for a death certificate. The application can be obtained from the local county health department or from the California Department of Public Health.

The application must be filled out completely and accurately, and it must include the deceased person's full name, Social Security number, date of death, and place of death.

3. Wait for the death certificate to be processed. Once the application has been submitted, it will take some time for the death certificate to be processed. In most cases, it will take at least 5-7 weeks for the certificate to be ready.

4. Pick up the death certificate from the county health department or have it mailed to you. Once the death certificate has been processed, you can pick it up from the local county health department or have it mailed to you.

A death certificate application typically includes the following information about the deceased & applicant:

- Full name

- Date of birth and death

- Social Security number

- Place of birth and death

- Date of death

- Cause of death

- The applicant's relationship with the deceased

- The reason for the request

- The applicant’s name & address

- The Applicant signature

- Name of the funeral home or crematorium

- Name of the doctor who certified the death.

To avoid delays in processing, it’s important that you include all the information above on your application as accurately as possible.

Once all of this information has been gathered, it can be submitted to the California Department of Public Health either in person or by mail. The department will then issue a certified copy of the death certificate.

In the state of California, a death certificate must be filed within 10 days of the deceased's passing. The certificate must be signed by a licensed physician, coroner, or other authorized medical professional.

Once the death certificate has been filed, it can take up to 7-10 weeks for the document to be processed and mailed out. If you need a copy of the death certificate sooner than that, you can request expedited service for an additional fee. Generally, it takes 2-3 business days to process an expedited request.

You can also request a certified copy of the death certificate, which will include an official raised seal. Certified copies are typically used for legal purposes, such as transferring ownership of property or collecting life insurance benefits.

However, due to recent budget cuts and staffing shortages - processing times may take longer. If you’d like to know the status of your death certificate you can reach out to the county recorder.

If you need to apply for a death certificate in California, don’t worry – we can walk you through the process. The steps involved in obtaining a death certificate may seem daunting at first, but our team is here to help make it as easy as possible for you. We understand that this may be a difficult time, and we want to do whatever we can to assist you. Contact us today if you have any questions or would like assistance with your application.