Death Certificates

There are three ways for authorized parties to obtain death certificates:

Order On-line

For an additional $7 service fee, you may order through a third party vendor called VitalChek Express Certificate Service using a credit card.  Overnight mail service is available for an additional $20 fee.  If you do not require overnight service, you must uncheck the corresponding box.  

Order in person

 

Fill out a request for a certified copy of death certificate form for each separate named certificate.  Bring complete form between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. along with proof of identity, and $24 cash, credit, or debit card per certificate to the Recorder's office at 825 5th Street, Eureka Ca. 95501.

Order by mail

Fill out a request for a certified copy of death certificate form for each separate named certificate, have your signature acknowledged by a Notary Public then mail the the completed form along with a check or money order of $24 per certificate to:

Humboldt County Recorder
Vital Record Division
825 5th Street
Eureka Ca, 95501 

*Processing time for mail orders is 3 to 5 business days (not including holidays)

Authorization Requirement
Effective July 1, 2003, the California Health and Safety Code Section 103526 will permit only authorized individuals to receive certified copies of death records.

Those who are not authorized by law to receive a certified copy will receive a certified copy marked "INFORMATIONAL, NOT A VALID DOCUMENT TO ESTABLISH IDENTITY."

Definition

The new law describes an authorized person as 1 of the following:

• A parent or legal guardian of the registrant.
• A party entitled to receive the record as a result of a 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.
• 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.

Sworn Statement

To obtain a Certified Copy after July 1, 2003, you must complete the sworn statement included with the death certificate application form and sign the statement under penalty of perjury.

If you mail your request, your sworn statement must be notarized. If your mailed request indicates that you want a certified copy, but does not include a notarized statement sworn under penalty of perjury, the request will be rejected as incomplete and returned to you without being processed.

Please note, a funeral director ordering copies on behalf of an individual specified in paragraphs (1) to (5), inclusive, of subdivision (a) of Section 7100 of the Health and Safety Code is not required to complete the notarized statement.