Anaheim Death Records

Anaheim death records are maintained by the Orange County Clerk-Recorder, not by the city itself. Any death that occurred in Anaheim goes through the county system. Orange County has three offices where you can request death certificates. The North County Branch is right in Anaheim at 222 S. Harbor Boulevard, making it the most convenient option for Anaheim residents. You can also visit the central office in Santa Ana or the south county office in Laguna Hills. All three locations handle death certificate requests. Each office charges $26 per copy as of January 1, 2026. This fee matches what the state charges. You can order in person, by mail, or online depending on what works best for you.

Orange County Handles Anaheim Records

Cities in California do not maintain vital records on their own unless they run an independent health department. Anaheim is part of Orange County's vital records system. The Orange County Clerk-Recorder handles all death certificates for Anaheim and every other city in the county. This system centralizes record keeping. One office serves the whole county. When someone dies in Anaheim, the funeral director or medical examiner files the death certificate with the county. The county stores the record and issues certified copies to those who request them.

Orange County maintains death records going back to the early 1900s. Older records may be on microfilm or in archives. Recent records are in a digital database that makes searching faster. The county also works with the California Department of Public Health. State vital records can provide copies too, but it takes longer. Ordering directly from Orange County is faster if you know the death occurred in Anaheim or elsewhere in Orange County.

You need to prove you are an authorized person to get a certified copy. This means you are a close family member or legal representative. California law defines who qualifies. If you do not qualify, you can still get an informational copy. These copies have all the same data but cannot be used for legal purposes. The fee is the same for both types of copies. You just specify which type you need when you order.

North County Office in Anaheim

The most convenient office for Anaheim residents is the North County Branch at 222 S. Harbor Boulevard, Suite 110A, Anaheim, CA 92805. This office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Walk in service is available during those hours. No appointment is needed. Staff can help you complete an application and process your request the same day if the record is in the system. Bring a valid photo ID and know the basic information about the deceased person, such as full name and date of death. If you need an authorized copy, bring a notarized sworn statement proving your relationship.

Parking is available near the office. The building is accessible by public transportation. Check the Orange County Transportation Authority website for bus routes that serve the Harbor Boulevard area. If you plan to visit in person, call ahead at (714) 834-2500 to confirm the office hours and verify they can assist with your specific request. Sometimes records are held up if the physician or coroner has not yet signed the certificate. Staff can check the status before you make the trip.

The central office is in Santa Ana at 601 N. Ross Street. Hours there are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The south county office is in Laguna Hills at 24031 El Toro Road, Suite 150. That office is also open 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. All three offices provide the same services. Choose the one closest to where you live or work. Processing times and fees are identical at all locations.

How to Order Anaheim Death Certificates

To request a death certificate for someone who died in Anaheim, you can visit an Orange County office in person, order by mail, or use the online system. For in person service, go to the North County Branch in Anaheim or one of the other two offices. Bring your completed application, photo ID, and payment. You can download the application from the Orange County Health Agency vital records page. Print it and fill it out before you go. This saves time at the office.

For mail orders, send your completed application, notarized statement if needed, a copy of your photo ID, and a check or money order for $26 made payable to Orange County Clerk-Recorder. Mail to Orange County Clerk-Recorder, Vital Records, 601 N. Ross Street, Santa Ana, CA 92701. Processing takes two to three weeks for mail orders. Include a self addressed stamped envelope if you want faster return delivery.

Orange County does not offer its own online portal, but you can order through VitalChek. Go to the VitalChek California page and select Orange County. This service adds a processing fee on top of the $26 certificate fee. Total cost is usually around $40 to $45 depending on delivery speed. VitalChek processes orders faster than mail but slower than in person. Expect about one week from order to delivery for standard service.

You need basic information to complete the request. Full name of the deceased is required. Date of death or at least the year helps speed the search. Place of death within Anaheim is useful if you know it. For an authorized copy, you must provide a notarized statement confirming you are a spouse, child, parent, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, or legal representative. Take your photo ID to a notary public to get this statement notarized. Most banks and post offices offer notary services. Some charge a small fee.

Note: Call (714) 834-2500 before ordering to confirm the county has the record you need.

Death Certificate Costs

Orange County charges $26 per death certificate. This fee went up from $24 on January 1, 2026 due to state law Assembly Bill 64. The $26 covers the search and one certified copy. If the office searches but does not find the record, you do not get a refund. The fee is the same whether you order an authorized copy or an informational copy. Additional copies ordered at the same time may cost less per copy. Ask when you place your order if you need more than one.

Online orders through VitalChek add a service fee of about $15 to $20 depending on delivery options. Credit card processing fees also apply. Total cost is around $40 to $45 for one certificate ordered online. This is more expensive than in person or mail, but it is more convenient and faster than mail. Choose the method that fits your timeline and budget.

For in person orders, you can pay with cash, check, money order, or credit card. Make checks payable to Orange County Clerk-Recorder. For mail orders, include a check or money order. Do not mail cash. If you need expedited service, ask at the office or select express delivery through VitalChek. Expedited options cost extra but reduce the wait time from weeks to days.

Which Deaths Are in the System

Orange County has death records for all deaths that occurred within Orange County since 1905. If a death happened in Anaheim at any point from 1905 to the present, the county has that record. The death location matters, not where the person lived. If someone lived in Anaheim but died in Los Angeles, that is a Los Angeles County record. Only deaths within Anaheim city limits or Orange County boundaries go to the Orange County Clerk-Recorder.

Anaheim hospitals include Kaiser Permanente Anaheim Medical Center and Anaheim Regional Medical Center. Deaths at these hospitals are Orange County records as long as the hospital is within county boundaries. If you are not sure where the death occurred, contact the funeral home that handled the arrangements. Funeral directors know which county they filed the certificate with. They can direct you to the right office.

For very recent deaths, allow four to six weeks before requesting a certificate. It takes time for the doctor or coroner to complete the death certificate and file it with the county. If you need proof of death sooner, ask the funeral home or hospital for a temporary document. They can provide letters or forms that serve as interim proof while you wait for the official certificate to be filed and available for ordering.

Ordering from the State

You can also request Anaheim death certificates from the California Department of Public Health. The state has copies of all death records from all 58 counties. However, state processing times are longer. Expect four to six weeks for a mail order from the state versus two to three weeks from the county. The state charges the same $26 fee. You order from CDPH by mail or through VitalChek. There is no walk in service at the state office.

The California death records request page has the state application form and mailing address. Use this option if you are outside California and prefer dealing with one central office rather than figuring out which county handled the death. The state can search all counties, but they charge a higher search fee if they have to look in multiple counties. If you know the death occurred in Anaheim, ordering from Orange County is faster and simpler.

State records go back to 1905 for most counties. Older records may be available through the California State Archives. Visit the State Archives genealogy resources page for information on historical vital records. Archives staff can help you locate records from the 1800s if they exist. Not all early records survived fires and other disasters. Coverage before 1905 is incomplete but worth checking for genealogy research.

Who Can Get Certified Copies

California Health and Safety Code Section 103526 defines who qualifies as an authorized person for death certificates. This includes the spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, or legal representative of the deceased. Attorneys acting on behalf of the estate also qualify. Funeral directors who handled the arrangements can get copies. If you fit one of these categories, you can receive an authorized certified copy with a raised seal. This type of copy is valid for legal transactions.

The official statute text for HSC 103526 provides the full legal definition. Read this if you are not sure whether you qualify. You must submit a notarized statement attesting to your relationship or legal interest. Without this statement, the office will issue an informational copy instead. Informational copies show all the same data but have a watermark saying they cannot be used to establish identity. Many agencies will not accept informational copies for closing accounts or transferring property.

Anyone can request an informational copy without proving a relationship. These are useful for genealogy, family history, or personal records. The fee is the same. Just specify on your application whether you need an authorized or informational copy. If you request an authorized copy but do not submit the required notarized statement, the office sends an informational copy by default. No refund is given.