California · 58 counties
When someone dies in California
Two things matter first: getting certified death certificates, and, if money is short, reaching the burial assistance program in the county where the death happened. Pick your county below for exact contacts.
The paperwork
Death certificates in California
Certified copies come from the California Department of Public Health, Vital Records (CDPH-VR), or the county recorder in the county where the death occurred (official site).
You can order from the county where the death happened or from CDPH Vital Records. The county is usually faster, but it can only issue records for deaths that occurred there, while CDPH can issue for anywhere in California. California has two versions and the difference matters: an authorized certified copy can be used to settle affairs, while a certified informational copy is stamped "INFORMATIONAL, NOT A VALID DOCUMENT TO ESTABLISH IDENTITY" and will be refused by banks and insurers. To get the authorized copy you must include a notarized sworn statement that you are entitled to it. Ask for the authorized copy.
Planning ahead
Nobody has died yet? Set up a power of attorney
If someone you love is aging or ill, the cheapest protection your family can get is a power of attorney, and it must happen while they can still sign. We cover California's exact rules and official forms.
California power of attorney rulesPick your county