How to Find California Death Records: Difference between revisions

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{{breadcrumb
''[[How to Find United States Death Records|How to Find United States Deaths]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] '''California Deaths'''''<br> __NOTOC__  
| link1=[[United States Genealogy|United States]]
| link2=[[United States Vital Records|U.S. Vital Records]]
| link3=[[How to Find United States Death Records|How to Find U.S. Death Records]]
| link4=[[California Vital Records|California Vital Records]]
| link5=[[How to Find California Death Records|How to Find California Death Records]]
}} __NOTOC__  


Statewide registration of deaths began in 1905 with general compliance by 1920.  
Statewide registration of deaths began in 1905 with general compliance by 1920.  


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<span style="font-weight:bolder; line-height:1.3; font-size: 1.5rem; font-family:Museo, Helvetica, Verdana, serif; text-decoration:underline; margin-left:15px;">Next Step: When did the death occur?</span>
== '''Next Step: When did the death occur? '''  ==


| width="55%" bgcolor="DC DC DC" style="width: 300px;" |  
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<div style="font-size:120%; padding-left:1.6em; padding-right:0; overflow:hidden;">'''Choose a time period to search for your ancestor's death record:'''</div>
:<span style="font-size:120%">'''Choose a time period to search for your ancestor's death record:'''</span><br>
<ul style="padding-left:3.2em;">
 
<li style="font-size:120%;">'''[[How to Find California Death Records#Deaths_before_1905|Deaths before 1905]]'''</li>
:*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Find California Death Records#Deaths_before_1892|Deaths before 1905]]'''</span>  
<li style="font-size:120%;">'''[[How to Find California Death Records#Deaths_after_1905|Deaths after 1905]]'''</li>
:*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Find California Death Records#Deaths_after_1922|Deaths after 1905]]''' </span>  
<li style="font-size:120%;">'''[[How to Estimate United States Death Information|Death year unknown]]'''</li>
:*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Estimate United States Death Information|Death year unknown]]'''</span>
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== '''Deaths before 1905'''  ==
== '''Deaths before 1905'''  ==


Before 1905, some counties in California kept death records. Search the following databases to see if your ancestor's death record was included. If not, you will need to search [[Substitute Records For United States Death Information|substitute records]] to locate your ancestor’s death date and place.  
Before 1905, some counties in California kept death records. Search {{RecordSearch|2001287|California, County Births and Deaths Records, 1849-1994}} to see if your ancestor's death record was included. If not, you will need to search [[Substitute Records For United States Death Information|substitute records]] to locate your ancestor’s death date and place.
 
{| width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="6" border="0"
|-
| ''Try 1st:''
|
|
|-
|
| {{RecordSearch|2001287|California, County Births and Deaths Records, 1800-1994 at FamilySearch.org}}
| '''Free;''' index & images of county death records from county courthouses.
|-
| ''Next try:''
|
|
|-
|
| [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=8835 California, Death and Burial Records from Select Counties, 1873-1987 at Ancestry.com]
| '''($);''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=8835 Free at FamilySearch centers.] Index and images of California death and burial records provided by the California State Archive.
|-
|
|{{RecordSearch|3518938|California Deaths and Burials, 1776-2000}}, index.
|Free.
|-
| '''Can't find your ancestor in the online index?'''
| [[Tips for Searching an Online Index|Tips for searching online indexes]]
|}


{| width="70%" border="1" style="margin: 1em auto;"
{| width="70%" border="1" style="margin: 1em auto;"
|-
|-
| align="center" colspan="3" |   '''Other records that give death information:'''
| align="center" colspan="3" | &nbsp; '''Records that give death information:'''
|-
|-
| width="35%" |  
| width="35%" |  
{{Block indent|[[California Cemeteries|Cemetery Records]]}}
:[[California Cemeteries|Cemetery Records]]  
{{Block indent|[[California Newspapers|Newspapers]]}}
:[[California Newspapers|Newspapers]]  
{{Block indent|[[California Probate Records|Probate (wills, etc)]]}}
:[[California Probate Records|Probate (wills, etc)]]  
{{Block indent|[[California Taxation|Tax Records]]}}
:[[California Taxation|Tax Records]]


| width="35%" |  
| width="35%" |  
{{Block indent|[[California Church Records|Church Records]]}}
:[[California Church Records|Church Records]]  
{{Block indent|[[California Census|Census]]}}
:[[California Census|Census]]  
{{Block indent|[[California Bible Records|Bible Records]]}}
:[[California Bible Records|Bible Records]]


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Statewide registration of births began in 1905 with general compliance by 1920. The Vital Records office of the California Department of Public Health has copies of deaths from 1905 to present day.  
Statewide registration of births began in 1905 with general compliance by 1920. The Vital Records office of the California Department of Public Health has copies of deaths from 1905 to present day.  


=== '''STEP ONE: Find Death Information'''  ===
==== '''STEP ONE: Find Death Information'''  ====


For deaths that exist during this time period, try the following database. <br>  
For deaths that exist during this time period, try the following database. <br>  
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|-
|-
|  
|  
| {{RecordSearch|2001287|1800 - 1994 - At FamilySearch.org}}  
| {{RecordSearch|1674914|1841-1910 - At FamilySearch.org}}  
| '''Free;''' images of county death indexes, certificates, registers, and coroner's inquests.
| '''Free;''' index to death and burial records. Microfilm copies of these records are available at the Family History Library and FamilySearch Centers.
|-
|-
| ''Try 2nd:''  
| ''Next try:''  
|  
|  
|  
|  
|-
|-
| align="left" colspan="3" | '''Ancestry Databases - Includes Index Only'''
|-
| align="left" colspan="2" | ''Choose one of the following:''
|  
|  
| {{RecordSearch|1932433|1905 - 1939 - At FamilySearch.org}}
| '''Free;''' images of an index of death records created by the Office of the State Register, Sacramento. Also on [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=5187 Ancestry.com] ($), [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=5187 free at FamilySearch centers.]
|-
|-
| ''Try 3rd:''  
| width="10%" | <br>
|
| width="25%" | [http://search.ancestryinstitution.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1962 1617-1922 - use Ancestry Institution at FamilySearch Centers/Libraries]
|
| '''Free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries;''' [https://www.familysearch.org/locations Find your local FamilySearch Center]
|-
|-
|  
|  
| {{RecordSearch|2015582|1940 - 1997 - At FamilySearch.org}}
| '''Free;''' index of death records created by the California Department of Health Services. Also on [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=5180 Ancestry.com] ($) and [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-10071/california-deaths-1940-1997?s=275764761 MyHeritage] ($), [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=5180 free at FamilySearch centers.]
|-
| ''Try 4th:''
|  
|  
|  
|  
|-
|-
|
| width="10%" |  
| [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=8835 California, Death and Burial Records from Select Counties, 1873-1987 at Ancestry.com]
| width="25%" | [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1962 1617-1922 - use your own Ancestry subscription]  
| '''($);''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=8835 Free at FamilySearch centers.] Index and images of California death and burial records provided by the California State Archive.
| '''$,''' [http://www.ancestry.com/cs/offers/freetrial?o_iid=48816&o_lid=48816&o_sch=Web+Property To obtain a subscription to Ancestry]; Ancestry is often available for free through your local public library
|-
| align="left" colspan="2" | '''Social Security Death Index'''
* {{RecordSearch|1202535|United States Social Security Death Index}}
* [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=60901 U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007], incomplete ($).
* [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=3693 U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014]($)
|-
|-
| align="left" colspan="2" | '''Can't find your ancestor in the online index?'''  
| align="left" colspan="2" | '''Can't find your ancestor in the online index?'''  
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=== '''STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate'''  ===
==== '''STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate'''  ====


{| width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="6" border="1"
{| width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="6" border="1"
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| align="center" colspan="4" | '''To Order Death Certificates'''
| align="center" colspan="4" | '''To Order Death Certificates'''
|-
|-
| width="50%" align="center" colspan="2" | [https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CHSI/Pages/County-Registrars-and-Recorders.aspx County Registrar and Recorder offices]  
| width="50%" align="center" colspan="2" | [http://www.cdph.ca.gov/certlic/birthdeathmar/Pages/CountyRecorderOffice.aspx County Registrar and Recorder offices]  
| width="50%" align="center" colspan="2" | [https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CHSI/Pages/Vital-Records.aspx Vital Records office of the California Dept of Public Health]
| width="50%" align="center" colspan="2" | [http://www.cdph.ca.gov/certlic/birthdeathmar/Pages/CertifiedCopiesofBirthDeathRecords.aspx Vital Records office of the California Dept of Public Health]
|-
|-
| width="25%" align="center" | '''Pros'''  
| width="25%" align="center" | '''Pros'''  
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<br>  
<br>  


'''''Restrictions for death certificates:'''''<br> To obtain an authorized copy of the death certificate, you must be:  
'''''Restrictions for death certificates:'''''<br> To obtain an authorized copy of the death certificate, you must be:
*The decedent's spouse, parent, child, grandchild, or sibling  
 
*A legal party (attorney, law enforcement or representative of the government) with authorization or court order  
:*The decedent's spouse, parent, child, grandchild, or sibling  
*The legal custodian, guardian, or authorized representative of the person named on the record  
:*A legal party (attorney, law enforcement or representative of the government) with authorization or court order
*An individual who orders the certificate in behalf of an individual in the above categories
:*The legal custodian, guardian, or authorized representative of the person named on the record  
:*An individual who orders the certificate in behalf of an individual in the above categories
 
'''NOTE:''' An authorized copy of the death certificate cannot be obtained by anyone except those listed above. If you cannot obtain an authorized copy, you can obtain an informational copy.<br>


'''NOTE:''' An authorized copy of the death certificate cannot be obtained by anyone except those listed above. If you cannot obtain an authorized copy, you may order an informational copy.<br>


<br> '''If you do not want to order the death record, there are [[Substitute Records For United States Death Information|other records with death information]] you can search.<br>'''  
'''If you do not want to order the death record, there are [[Substitute Records For United States Death Information|other records with death information]] you can search.<br>'''  
<center>[[How to Find California Death Records#Next_Step:_When_did_the_death_occur.3F|Return to top: Choose another death year]]</center>  
<center>[[How to Find California Death Records#Next_Step:_When_did_the_death_occur.3F|Return to top: Choose another death year]]</center>  
<br>  
<br>  
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== Related Wiki Articles  ==
=== Related Wiki Articles  ===


*[[How to Find United States Birth Records|How to Find United States Birth Records]]  
:*[[How to Find United States Birth Records|How to Find United States Birth Records]]  
*[[How to Find United States Death Records|Learn more about U.S. Death Records]]  
:*[[How to Find United States Death Records|Learn more about U.S. Death Records]]  
*[[United States Record Finder|United States Record Finder ]]  
:*[[United States Record Selection Table|United States Record Selection Table ]]  
*[[U.S. Vital Records Overview|U.S. Vital Records Overview]]  
:*[[U.S. Vital Records Overview|U.S. Vital Records Overview]]  
*[[United States Vital Records|United States Vital Records]]  
:*[[United States Vital Records|United States Vital Records]]  
*[[Locating United States Vital Records|Locating United States Vital Records]]  
:*[[Locating United States Vital Records|Locating United States Vital Records]]  
*[[United States Birth Records|United States Birth Records ]]  
:*[[United States Birth Records|United States Birth Records ]]  
*[[United States Marriage Records|United States Marriage Records]]
:*[[United States Marriage Records|United States Marriage Records]]


<br> {{california|california}}
[[Category:California_Vital_Records]] [[Category:How_to_articles]]
[[Category:California_Vital_Records]] [[Category:How-To Articles]]

Revision as of 10:09, 8 July 2013

How to Find United States Deaths Gotoarrow.png California Deaths

Statewide registration of deaths began in 1905 with general compliance by 1920.

Next Step: When did the death occur? [edit | edit source]
Choose a time period to search for your ancestor's death record:

Learn more about U.S. Death Records

Deaths before 1905[edit | edit source]

Before 1905, some counties in California kept death records. Search California, County Births and Deaths Records, 1849-1994 to see if your ancestor's death record was included. If not, you will 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


Deaths after 1905[edit | edit source]

Statewide registration of births began in 1905 with general compliance by 1920. The Vital Records office of the California Department of Public Health has copies of deaths from 1905 to present day.

STEP ONE: Find Death Information[edit | edit source]

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 Certificate[edit | edit source]

To Order Death Certificates
County Registrar and Recorder offices Vital Records office of the California Dept of Public Health
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 for death certificates:
To obtain an authorized copy of the death certificate, you must be:

  • The decedent's spouse, parent, child, grandchild, or sibling
  • A legal party (attorney, law enforcement or representative of the government) with authorization or court order
  • The legal custodian, guardian, or authorized representative of the person named on the record
  • An individual who orders the certificate in behalf of an individual in the above categories

NOTE: An authorized copy of the death certificate cannot be obtained by anyone except those listed above. If you cannot obtain an authorized copy, you can obtain an informational copy.


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[edit | edit source]

To access available information, first log into FamilySearch.

Retrieved from "https://integration-ru.familysearch.org/en/wiki/index.php?title=How_to_Find_California_Death_Records&oldid=1396430"