Beginning July 1, 2003 the California Health and Safety Code Section 103526 permits only specific individuals to receive an authorized certified copy of
a death record. An AUTHORIZED CERTIFIED COPY may be required to obtain
death benefits, claim insurance proceeds, notify social security, and
obtain other services related to an individual's identity.
Links to Applications for Ordering Death Records
Application for Certified Copy of Death Certificate
Application for Certified Copy of Fetal Death Certificate
Government Agency Copy of Death Certificate
Online Vital Records Request
When ordering in person, an
authorized individual must complete an approved application including a
sworn statement under penalty of perjury to receive an authorized certified copy.
A notarized statement sworn under penalty of perjury must accompany
orders sent by mail to ensure that the requester is an authorized
person.
Those who are not authorized may receive an informational certified copy with the words "INFORMATIONAL, NOT A VALID DOCUMENT TO ESTABLISH IDENTITY" imprinted across the face of the copy.
Please see below for list of authorized individuals.
Individuals permitted to receive an AUTHORIZED CERTIFIED COPY:
A parent or legal guardian of the registrant.
A party entitled to receive the record
as a result of a court order, or an attorney or a licensed adoption
agency seeking the birth 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 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
the Health and Safety Code.
Contact Information
Sacramento County Vital Records
7001 A East Parkway Suite 650
Sacramento, CA 95823 | Map
Telephone: (916) 875-5345
Hours of Operation
Public Counter Hours: Monday - Friday from 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Phones answered until 5:00 pm
Closures: Our office is closed on County holidays. We close early at 3:00 pm on the workdays before December 25th and December 31st and on four additional Fridays for staff development and training. Please call our office to verify office hours.
