Hayward Obituary Search

Hayward death certificates are maintained by Alameda County, not the city government. The county auditor clerk handles all death records for people who died within Hayward city limits. Two offices serve county residents: the main location at 1106 Madison Street in Oakland and a satellite office at 7600 Dublin Boulevard in Dublin. The Dublin office is closer for most Hayward residents. You can request death certificates in person, by mail, or online through the county website. Alameda County maintains death records from 1893 to the present, with certificates before 1893 not available. Recent deaths take two to three weeks to process before certificates are ready. Each certificate costs $28. Authorized family members can obtain certified copies for legal purposes, while anyone can request informational copies for genealogy or personal records.

Alameda County Auditor Clerk Offices

Alameda County Auditor Clerk is responsible for all Hayward death records. The Dublin satellite office at 7600 Dublin Boulevard, Suite 160, Dublin, CA provides convenient service for Hayward residents. The main office is at 1106 Madison Street, Oakland, CA 94607. Both locations offer the same services and hours. Offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. They close on weekends and county holidays.

Call 1-510-272-6362 locally or toll free at 1-888-280-7708 before visiting to verify a death record is available. Staff can check the system to see if the county has received the certificate from the state vital statistics system. For deaths that just occurred, allow two to three weeks for processing. Mail orders placed with the county take approximately two to three weeks from receipt to delivery. Certificates from 1871 to 1959 require up to three business days for staff to retrieve from archives. Certificates from 1960 to the present can usually be completed the same day for in person requests.

Email vitalrec@acgov.org with questions about fees, office hours, and required documentation. You can also fax requests to (510) 208-9957. The county does not search for records by email or phone without receiving a formal written application. Visit the county website to download application forms and view detailed ordering instructions.

Parking is free at the Dublin office location. The Oakland office has metered street parking and nearby parking lots. Bring valid photo identification and payment when you visit either office. Most requests for recent deaths are processed while you wait if you come in person.

Information Required to Order

To request a Hayward death certificate, you need the deceased person's full legal name and the date of death. If you do not know the exact date, provide the year of death. The county can search by name and approximate time frame, though this takes longer to process. You also need to provide your own name, mailing address, phone number, and your relationship to the deceased person.

For an authorized certified copy, you must be a spouse, child, parent, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, attorney for the estate, or funeral director. California law restricts access to death certificates to prevent identity theft and fraud. You must complete a sworn statement declaring your relationship to the deceased. This statement must be notarized by a licensed notary public. Take the form to a bank, UPS store, or law office that provides notary services. Bring valid photo identification when you visit the notary. Notary fees typically range from $10 to $15 per signature.

If you do not qualify as an authorized person, you can request an informational copy instead. This type shows the same information but has a watermark stating it is not valid for establishing identity. Anyone can obtain an informational copy without proving a relationship to the deceased. No notarized statement is required for informational copies. Genealogists, researchers, and distant relatives commonly request informational copies for family history purposes.

Alameda County charges $28 per certificate. This fee covers the cost of searching the records even if no death record is found. If the county does not locate a record based on the information you provide, they retain the fee and issue a statement indicating no record was found. Verify that your information is accurate before submitting your order to avoid paying for a failed search.

How to Order Death Certificates

In person service is the fastest option for recent death records. Bring your completed application form, notarized sworn statement if you want an authorized copy, valid photo identification, and payment of $28. You can pay with cash, personal check, or credit card. Make checks payable to Alameda County Clerk. For death certificates from 1960 to the present, most requests are completed the same day. For older records from 1871 to 1959, allow up to three business days for retrieval from archive storage.

Mail orders take two to three weeks from the date the county receives your request. Send your application, notarized statement if applicable, and a check or money order for $28 to Alameda County Clerk Recorder, 1106 Madison Street, Oakland, CA 94607. Include a self addressed stamped envelope with your request. Do not mail cash. The county will mail your certificate or a no record statement.

Online orders are available through the county website. There is a $2 convenience fee per online order in addition to the $28 certificate fee. You need a credit or debit card to pay online. Processing time is similar to mail orders. If ordering an authorized copy, you must mail or upload your notarized sworn statement. The county will not release your certificate until they receive the notarized form.

Note: Death certificates prior to 1893 are not available from Alameda County.

What the Certificate Shows

A Hayward death certificate lists the deceased person's full legal name, gender, date of birth, age at death, and place of birth. It shows the date, time, and exact location of death within Hayward city limits. The cause of death and the name of the certifying physician or coroner appear on the record. You will see the person's occupation, marital status, and spouse's name if married. The certificate includes the names of the deceased person's mother and father.

Additional information may include the funeral home name, method of disposition such as burial or cremation, and cemetery location if applicable. Social security number may be listed but is often redacted on informational copies. The certificate does not contain financial information, detailed medical history beyond cause of death, or property records. For estate settlement purposes, you need probate court documents in addition to the death certificate.

Alameda County issues two types of copies. An unrestricted certified copy can be used to establish identity and works for legal purposes like closing bank accounts, claiming life insurance benefits, and settling estates. An informational copy has a legend across the face stating it is not a valid document to establish identity. The fee is $28 for either type. You receive the type you request unless you do not qualify for an authorized copy.

California Death Record Laws

California state law requires all deaths to be registered with the county where they occurred. Funeral directors typically file the death certificate within a few days of death. The attending physician or coroner must certify the cause of death. After registration with the county, a copy is sent to the state health department, creating both county and state level records.

Access rules are defined in Health and Safety Code Section 103526. This law lists the authorized persons who can receive certified copies. It was enacted to combat identity theft and protect individual privacy. Only close family members and legal representatives qualify for unrestricted copies usable for official purposes. Everyone else receives an informational copy with usage restrictions.

Death records over 75 years old are considered public records. For Hayward deaths before 1951, no proof of relationship is needed. Anyone can request a certified copy of these historical files. The fee remains $28. Older records may be stored in archives and can take up to three business days to retrieve.

To correct an error on a death certificate, you must contact the California Department of Public Health, not the county office. The state processes all amendments to vital records. You pay an amendment fee and provide documentation showing the correct information. Common amendments include fixing name spellings, correcting wrong dates, and revising cause of death errors.

Other Resources for Hayward Residents

The Alameda County Coroner investigates deaths that occur under sudden, unexpected, or suspicious circumstances in Hayward. Contact their office for information about cases under investigation. The coroner determines the cause of death and releases the body to a funeral home. After the coroner completes their investigation, the funeral home files the death certificate with the county clerk.

For genealogy research, the California State Archives maintains old Alameda County death records on microfilm. The archives are located at 1500 11th Street in Sacramento. Call (916) 653-6814 for research assistance. Many historical records are also available online through FamilySearch and other genealogy websites. The California death index for 1905 to 1997 is searchable for free online, helping locate death records when you do not know the exact county.

Legal assistance is available through the Alameda County Bar Association. They can refer you to attorneys who handle probate, wills, and estate matters. Many lawyers offer free initial consultations. Legal aid organizations in the county provide free assistance to low income residents dealing with death related legal issues.

Hayward residents needing help with funeral costs can contact Alameda County Social Services for information about indigent burial assistance programs. These programs help cover basic burial or cremation expenses for qualifying low income families who cannot afford the full cost.

Other Alameda County Cities

All cities in Alameda County use the same county clerk for death certificates. Oakland, Fremont, San Leandro, Livermore, Alameda, Pleasanton, and Union City residents all use the Oakland or Dublin office locations. No cities in the county operate their own vital records offices.