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Death Certificates
Did you know that the guidelines for ordering
death records are changing?
Due to the increased
occurrence of identity theft, new laws were passed to protect birth and
death records from misuse.
These laws go into effect July 1, 2003. At this time, the steps necessary to obtain a birth or
death record will change significantly.
Effective July 1, 2003,
the California Health and Safety Code, Sections 103526, will permit only
authorized individuals to receive certified copies of birth and death
records. Those who are not
authorized by law to receive certified copies will receive certified copies
marked “INFORMATION, NOT A VALID DOCUMENT TO ESTABLISH IDENTITY.”
In the case of death records, the new law describes an
authorized person as:
·
The
registrant, parent or legal guardian of the registrant.
·
A
party entitled to receive the record as a result of a court order, an
attorney or a licensed adoption agency seeking the death record in order to
comply with the requirements of Section 3140 or 7603 of the Family Code.
·
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, the registrant’s estate, and 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 pf the Health and Safety Code.
Important Details about Death
Certificates
·
If
the person was died in Contra Costa County, you may obtain a certified copy
from this office. If the
county is not known, please contact the State Office of
Vital Statistics in Sacramento.
·
We
maintain death certificates from 1905 to present.
·
All
fees are payable by check or money order to the County Recorder’s Office.
·
The
cost for a certified copy of a death certificate is $15.00 /ea.
Copies of death records maybe obtained at the:
Contra Costa County
Recorder’s Office
555 Escobar St.
Martinez, CA 94553
For
directions to our office click here.
OR
You
can order copies of death records using the following methods:
1) Application for Certified Copy of Death Record
2)
Internet/Fax Ordering
Program
To apply for
death records on or after July 1, 2003, you must complete the sworn statement included
with the Application for Certified Copy of Death Record and you must
sign the sworn statement under penalty of perjury. If you mail your application,
your sworn statement must be notarized and included with your application. If you mail your application and do
no include a notarized statement sworn to under penalty of perjury, your
application will be rejected as incomplete and it will be returned to you
without being processed.
Death Certificate Mail- in
Application (PDF format)
Internet/Fax Ordering
Program
La
información de actas de nacimento en Espanõl estará aquí muy pronto.
Please Note: Should our staff need to contact you regarding
your order we will call you collect.
Need
more information regarding death certificates?
You may call the office at: (925) 335-7900
or
Visit our office Monday through Friday 8AM – 4PM
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