Daly City Obituary Search

Death records for Daly City residents come from San Mateo County Clerk-Recorder. The county office maintains all death certificates for events that occurred in Daly City. You can order these records online, in person, or by mail. The office is at 555 County Center in Redwood City. Same day service is available for walk in requests when the record is from 1966 or later. Pre-1966 records require 24-hour notice because they are stored at an off site facility. Death certificates become available about two to three weeks after the date of death. Fee is $26 per copy. VitalChek orders add a $7 service fee. Most people find online ordering through VitalChek to be the fastest and easiest way to get death certificates.

San Mateo County Clerk-Recorder

All Daly City death certificates are handled through San Mateo County Clerk-Recorder. The office is at 555 County Center on the first floor in Redwood City. Office hours run Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Staff can help you fill out the application and process your request while you wait if the record is recent. Most certificates from 1966 to present are on site and available same day. Older records from before 1966 take longer.

Call (650) 363-4000 to ask about a specific death record. Staff can tell you if they have the record and what type of copy you can get. The number (650) 599-1713 also reaches the office. For questions about very recent deaths, contact San Mateo County Vital Statistics at (650) 573-2395. They handle records for the first two or three weeks after death before the record goes to the County Clerk-Recorder.

The San Mateo County death certificates page has complete information on how to order, what documents you need, and what fees apply. This page explains the difference between authorized and informational copies. Only certain people can get authorized copies. Others get informational copies with a legend across the face.

Public transit serves the County Center. SamTrans bus routes stop near 555 County Center. Check current routes and schedules before you go. Parking is available in lots adjacent to the County Center. Hourly rates apply. The building is wheelchair accessible with ramps and elevators.

Note: Pre-1966 records need 24-hour notice, so call ahead if ordering older certificates.

Order Death Certificates Online

San Mateo County uses VitalChek for online death certificate orders. VitalChek is the only authorized online vendor for San Mateo County. Go to the VitalChek website and select California, then San Mateo County. You will create an account with your email and a password. The system guides you through each step of the order process.

Enter the deceased person's full name as it appears on the certificate. Include middle name if known. Enter date of death and place of death. Daly City residents who died in Daly City are in the San Mateo County system. Upload a photo ID and provide your relationship to the deceased. For authorized copies, you must provide a notarized sworn statement declaring your eligibility under penalty of perjury.

VitalChek adds a $7 service fee to each order. Credit card processing fees also apply. The base certificate fee is $26. Total cost for online orders is about $34 per certificate. This includes the county fee and VitalChek service fee. Orders typically process in five to ten business days. You get an email confirmation with a tracking number. Save this number to check your order status.

You can pay with major credit cards including Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express. The system is secure and meets federal standards for handling personal information. If no record is found, the fee is retained for the search and you receive a certificate of no public record.

Authorized vs Informational Copies

California law sets rules for who can get authorized death certificates. An authorized copy is a full certified copy with no restrictions. You can use it to claim insurance, settle estates, or handle other legal matters. Only specific people qualify for authorized copies.

Eligible people include the spouse or domestic partner, parents, children, grandparents, grandchildren, and siblings of the deceased. Attorneys representing the estate can get authorized copies. Law enforcement officers with a court order can get them. Funeral directors handling the arrangements qualify. Insurance companies with a policy claim can request them.

Everyone else gets an informational copy. An informational copy has the same information but includes a watermark stating "INFORMATIONAL, NOT A VALID DOCUMENT TO ESTABLISH IDENTITY." This type is good for genealogy research or personal records. It costs the same as an authorized copy. You do not need a notarized statement for an informational copy. Just fill out the application and provide your ID.

When you apply, state clearly which type you need. The sworn statement you notarize declares your relationship to the deceased and your legal right to an authorized copy. Without a notarized statement, you automatically get an informational copy. Most requesters know right away which type they need based on how they will use the certificate.

Fees and Payment Methods

The fee for a death certificate in San Mateo County is $26 per copy as of January 1, 2026. This fee increased by $2 due to Assembly Bill 64. The fee applies whether or not the record is found. If the county searches and does not find a record matching your information, you still pay the $26 and receive a certificate of no public record.

In person, you can pay with cash, check, or credit card. Make checks payable to San Mateo County Clerk-Recorder. For mail orders, send a check or money order. Do not mail cash. Include a self addressed stamped envelope if you want the certificate mailed back. Processing time for mail orders is typically two to three weeks from the date the office receives your application.

Online orders through VitalChek cost more. VitalChek adds a $7 service fee. Credit card fees also apply. Expect to pay about $34 total for one certificate ordered online. The extra cost is worth it for most people because online ordering is faster and you can track the order. Expedited shipping is available for an additional fee if you need the certificate quickly.

Getting Records for Recent Deaths

Death certificates for Daly City residents become available about two to three weeks after death. During this time, the death is registered with San Mateo County Vital Statistics. The medical examiner or attending physician completes the medical portion. The funeral director files the certificate. All this takes time.

If the death was very recent, call San Mateo County Vital Statistics at (650) 573-2395 to check availability. They can tell you if the certificate is ready to order. Once ready, you can order from the County Clerk-Recorder. Do not try to order before the certificate is filed. Your application will be rejected and you will lose the search fee.

For deaths more than a month ago, the County Clerk-Recorder definitely has the record. No need to call ahead unless the death was before 1966. Those older records are stored off site and require 24-hour notice. The county will retrieve them from storage if you give advance notice by phone or email.

California Law on Death Records

California Health and Safety Code Section 103526 controls access to death certificates. The law aims to prevent identity theft and protect privacy. It defines who counts as an authorized person. If you do not meet the criteria, you can only get an informational copy.

The law requires a notarized sworn statement for authorized copies. The statement must declare under penalty of perjury that you are eligible. Sign it in front of a notary public. The notary verifies your identity and watches you sign. Submit the notarized statement with your application. Without it, you automatically get an informational copy.

Perjury is a serious crime. Do not lie about your relationship to the deceased or your reason for requesting the certificate. The county checks applications and can report fraudulent requests to law enforcement. Stick to the truth on all forms. If you are not sure whether you qualify for an authorized copy, ask county staff before submitting your application.

Death Records for Family History

Genealogists and family historians often need death certificates. If the deceased is not a close relative, you will get an informational copy. That is fine for genealogy purposes. An informational copy has all the details you need, including full name, date and place of death, age, birthplace, parents' names, and cause of death.

For deaths before 1966, remember the 24-hour retrieval notice. Older records can have faded ink or missing pages. The county will copy what they have. If parts are illegible, the copy will reflect that. You can request multiple copies in one order. The fee applies per copy, so three copies cost $78 plus service fees if ordering online.

The California State Archives also holds some historical death records. They have microfilmed records from select counties. Visit the State Archives in Sacramento or contact them to see if they have Daly City or San Mateo County records for the time period you need. Their holdings supplement but do not replace the county's official records.

Other Resources for Obituary Information

Besides official death certificates, you can find obituary information through newspapers and online databases. The San Mateo Daily Journal publishes obituaries for the San Mateo area including Daly City. Check their website or contact them for archives. Local funeral homes often post obituaries online as well.

FamilySearch.org has a California Death Index covering 1940 to 1997. This free database lets you search by name to find death dates and places. It does not give you a certificate, but it helps confirm details before you order from the county. Ancestry.com also has California death indexes. These require a subscription but offer broader search tools.

Local libraries in Daly City may have obituary clipping files or access to newspaper archives. The Daly City Public Library is a good place to start. Librarians can help you search microfilm or digital newspaper archives. This works well if you need historical context beyond what the death certificate provides.

Note: Online databases do not replace official certificates for legal or financial purposes.

Nearby Cities

Other San Mateo County cities with populations over 100,000 include San Mateo, Redwood City, and South San Francisco. All use the same county office for death certificates. If you need records for multiple cities in San Mateo County, you can order them all at once from the County Clerk-Recorder in Redwood City.