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 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.

• We do not accept CASH all fees are payable by check or money order to the County Recorder’s Office.

• Click here for fees related to Death Certificates

Copies of death records may be 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) Via mail by downloading the Application for Certified Copy of Death Record

2) Internet/Fax Ordering Program

To apply for birth 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.

Please do not fax in a copy of your ID or any other form of identification.
Please do not send cash we only accept check or money order.

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 birth certificates?

You may call the office at: (925) 335-7900

or

Visit our office Monday through Friday 8AM – 4PM

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