Death Certificates

Who can obtain a death certificate?

California law defines individuals who can obtain an authorized copy of a birth, death, or marriage certificate as:

A parent, legal guardian, child, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, spouse, or domestic partner of the registrant (person listed on the certificate).
A party entitled to receive the record as a result of a court order. Please include a copy of the court order.
A member of a law enforcement agency or a representative of another governmental agency, as provided by law, who is conducting official business. Authorized personnel from a government agency must provide authorization from the government agency and government agency ID.
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 (Include a copy of the power of attorney or documentation identifying you as executor.)
Any agent or employee of a funeral establishment who acts within the course and scope of employment and on behalf of persons specified in HSC § 7100 (a) (1)-(8).
Surviving next of kin (As specified in HSC § 7100).

What is the difference between an Authorized Copy and an Informational Copy?

An Authorized Copy of a death certificate is required to obtain death benefits, claim insurance proceeds, notify social security, or obtain services related to an individual’s identity.

Those who are not authorized by law to request a Authorized Copy will receive an Informational Copy. An Informational Copy is marked "INFORMATIONAL, NOT A VALID DOCUMENT TO ESTABLISH IDENTITY".

Both an Authorized copy and Informational copy are considered “certified copies”.

How to order:

Download and complete the death certificate application (English, Spanish), then bring it to one of our office locations to sign in the presence of Recorder staff. Blank applications are also available in our office.
If requesting an Authorized Copy you must present valid government-issued photo ID, to document that you are an "authorized individual".

Fees:

There is a fee of $24 for each death certificate.
If no record is found based on the information provided in the application, a “Certificate of No Record” will be issued. Under state law, the Recorder’s Office must retain the non-refundable fee for processing the application.
In person payment options include: cash, check, money order, or credit card.

While the Santa Cruz County Recorder does not currently accept online orders directly, for your convenience, you can order online through VitalChek Network Inc, an independent company that we have partnered with to provide this service.

An additional fee is charged by VitalChek, and all major credit cards are accepted, including American Express®, Discover®, MasterCard® or Visa®.

Fees

$24 for each death certificate
$12.95 VitalChek handling fee
$20 VitalChek expedited delivery fee (optional)

If no record is found based on the information provided in the application, a “Certificate of No Record” will be issued. Under state law, the Recorder’s Office must retain the non-refundable fee for processing the application.

How to order

Visit VitalChek (Santa Cruz County Recorder (CA) | Order Certificates - VitalChek) and complete the ordering process. Their steps include:

Complete the Application - Fill out the online form with details such as the decedent’s full name, date of death, place of death, and the decedent’s date of birth, if known.
Make Payment - Pay using a secure payment method.
Verify Identity - Follow our secure identity verification process to confirm your eligibility.
Government Processing - The Santa Cruz County Recorder’s Office processes your request and ships the death certificate to you.

How to order:

Download and complete the death certificate application (English, Spanish). Additional steps may be required, depending on if you want an Authorized Copy or Informational Copy.

Authorized Copy:

You must be an authorized individual. Complete the Sworn Statement on the application and have it notarized. The Certificate of Acknowledgement must be completed by a Notary Public.

Informational Copy:

You do not have to be an authorized individual to obtain an information copy of a death certificate. The Sworn Statement, Certificate of Acknowledgement, and notarization are not required.

Mail to:

Send completed application with check or money order to:

Santa Cruz County Recorder’s Office
701 Ocean Street, Room 230
Santa Cruz CA 95060

Fees:

$24 for each death certificate
If no record is found based on the information provided in the application, a “Certificate of No Record” will be issued. Under state law, the Recorder’s Office must retain the non-refundable fee for processing the application.
Make checks payable to: Santa Cruz County Recorder
Do not send cash by mail.

Do I need an appointment?

No, no appointment is necessary. Please see our locations and hours of operation.

What if the person did not die in Santa Cruz County?

If the death occurred in another county in California, contact that County Recorder’s Office.
If the death was in another state, see “Where to Write for Vital Records” on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.

How do I amend a death certificate?

Our office has no authority to correct, edit, or amend information on a Death Certificate. All corrections must be done with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). See the CDPH webpage for correcting or amending vital records.

Does your office have a Notary?

No, there is no public notary in the Santa Cruz County Recorder’s Office.

How do I get an apostille?

The California Secretary of State provides an Apostille to authenticate California public officials' signatures on documents to be used outside the United States of America. Request an Apostille :: California Secretary of State