How to Obtain a Death Certificate

If over two years visit the County Recorders Office 730 Las Juntas, Martinez, 925-646-2517

California state law¹ permits only authorized individuals to receive certified copies of death records. Those who are not authorized by law to receive a certified copy will receive a certified copy marked "INFORMATIONAL, NOT A VALID DOCUMENT TO ESTABLISH IDENTITY".

The new law describes an authorized person as:

The registrant, or parent or legal guardian of the registrant.
A member of a law enforcement agency or a representative of another governmental agency, as provided by law, who is conducting official business.
A child, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, spouse or domestic partner of the registrant.
An attorney representing the registrant or the registrant's estate, or any person or agency empowered by statute or appointed by a court to act on behalf of the registrant or the registrant's estate.
A funeral director ordering certified copies of a death certificate on behalf of an individual specified in paragraphs (1) to (5), inclusive, of subdivision (a) of section 7100 of Health and Safety Code.

In order to obtain a Certified copy in person, on or after July 1,2003, you MUST complete the sworn statement included with the death certificate application form and sign the statement under penalty of perjury.

If you mail your request, your sworn statement must be notarized. If your mailed request indicates that you want a Certified copy but does not include a notarized statement, sworn under penalty of perjury, it will be rejected as incomplete and returned to you without processing.

(Note: A funeral director ordering copies on behalf of an individual specified in paragraphs (1) to (5), inclusive of subdivision (a) of Section 7100 of the Health and Safety Code is not required to complete the notarized statement.)

Contact Us

826 Main Street
Martinez CA, 94553
925-646-2360

Content provided by the Public Health Division of Contra Costa Health Services.