How to Find California Death Records

How to Find United States Deaths California Deaths

In 1820, California was created from the state of Massachusetts. Statewide registration of deaths began in 1892.

Next Step: When did the death occur?	Choose a time period to search for your ancestor's death record: Deaths before 1892 Deaths between 1892 and 1922 Deaths after 1922 Death year unknown

Learn more about U.S. Death Records

Deaths before 1892

Before 1892, death records were kept by individual town clerks or selectmen. Although some towns have existed since the 1650s, most records date from about 1700. Some of these records have been indexed. Refer to the databases below to access those indexes.

California Death Databases - Includes Indexes and Images
Try 1st:
	1841-1910 - At FamilySearch.org	Free; index to death and burial records. Microfilm copies of these records are available at the Family History Library and FamilySearch Centers.
Next try:
Ancestry Databases - Includes Index Only
Choose one of the following:
	1617-1922 - use Ancestry Institution at FamilySearch Centers/Libraries	Free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries; Find your local FamilySearch Center
	1617-1922 - use your own Ancestry subscription	$, To obtain a subscription to Ancestry; Ancestry is often available for free through your local public library
Can't find your ancestor in the online index?		Tips for searching online indexes

If your ancestor does not appear in the index, you may need to contact the town clerk office or you may need to search substitute records to locate your ancestor’s death date and place.

Records that give death information:
Cemetery Records Newspapers Probate (wills, etc) Tax Records	Church Records Census Bible Records

Obtain the Death Record

If your ancestor appeared in the index, there are two options:

• FamilySearch.org - If the indexed information contained a GS microfilm number you can order the microfilm from the Family History Library and send it to the Family History Center nearest you.
  
• Individual Town Clerks - If there is no GS microfilm number available, or if you cannot gain access to the microfilm, you may contact the town clerk office where your ancestor dead and order a copy of the death record.

Return to top: Choose another death year

Deaths between 1892 and 1922

The state of California began recording deaths in 1892. All death certificates from 1892 to 1922 are held at the California State Archives.

STEP ONE: Find Death Information

For deaths that exist during this time period, try the following database.

California Death Databases - Includes Indexes and Images
Try 1st:
	1841-1910 - At FamilySearch.org	Free; index to death and burial records. Microfilm copies of these records are available at the Family History Library and FamilySearch Centers.
Next try:
Ancestry Databases - Includes Index Only
Choose one of the following:
	1617-1922 - use Ancestry Institution at FamilySearch Centers/Libraries	Free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries; Find your local FamilySearch Center
	1617-1922 - use your own Ancestry subscription	$, To obtain a subscription to Ancestry; Ancestry is often available for free through your local public library
Can't find your ancestor in the online index?		Tips for searching online indexes

STEP TWO: Obtain the Death Certificate

If your ancestor appeared in the index, there are two options:

• FamilySearch.org - If the indexed information contained a GS microfilm number you can order the microfilm from the Family History Library.
  
• California State Archives - If there is no GS microfilm number available, or if you cannot gain access to the microfilm, you may contact the state archives and order a copy of the death record.

Return to top: Choose another death year

Deaths after 1922

The Vital Records office of the California Department of Health and Human Services has copies of deaths from 1923 to present day. Deaths from 1892 to 1922 are held by the California State Archives. Deaths before 1892 are held by the individual town clerk offices.

STEP ONE: Find Death Information

For deaths that exist during this time period, try the following database.

California Death Database - Includes Index and Images
	1960 - Current*	Free; index to death certificates from California State Archives. *Includes years from 1960 to THREE years previous to current year.

STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate

To Order Death Certificates
County probate judge's offices		Vital Records office of the California Dept of Health and Human Services
Pros	Cons	Pros	Cons
May be less expensive and faster than ordering from the state	County websites can be more difficult to use	Has an expedited service on Vital Chek	May be more expensive than ordering from the county

Restrictions to qualify for certificates for persons who died within the last 100 years:
To obtain a copy of the death certificate, you must be:

• The person named on the certificate
• The person's spouse
• The parent(s) named on the record
• Descendants of the person named on the record (including children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren to the most remote degree)
• The legal custodian, guardian, or authorized representative of the person named on the record
• Genealogists who have a researcher card issued by the California Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Office of Data, Research and Vital Statistics

NOTE: You must have full name, exact date and place of the death to order from the certificate. If you do not have the exact information, a search can be conducted for a fee by the Vital Records Office.

If you do not want to order the death record, there are other records with death information you can search.

Return to top: Choose another death year

Related Wiki Articles

• How to Find United States Birth Records
• Learn more about U.S. Death Records
• United States Record Selection Table
• U.S. Vital Records Overview
• United States Vital Records
• Locating United States Vital Records
• United States Birth Records
• United States Marriage Records

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