Inglewood Death Certificate Search
Inglewood death records are maintained by Los Angeles County. The city does not have a local vital records office. All deaths in Inglewood are recorded at the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder office in Norwalk. This central office serves all cities and communities in Los Angeles County. You can order death certificates by mail, online, or in person. The fee is $26 per copy as of January 1, 2026. Mail orders take up to 20 business days to process. Online orders through the county portal typically complete in 10 days. In person visits provide same day service for most records. The office has death records from July 1905 to present.
Inglewood Death Certificate Overview
Where Inglewood Death Records Are Maintained
Los Angeles County keeps all death records for Inglewood. The main office is in Norwalk at 12400 East Imperial Highway. Inglewood is about 8 miles from Norwalk. The drive takes 15 to 25 minutes in normal traffic. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
No appointment is needed for walk-ins. Bring a photo ID and the name of the deceased. The date of death helps but is not required. Staff can search a range of dates without extra fees. Each copy costs $26. Most records are available same day when you visit in person.
The Los Angeles County vital records page provides forms and instructions. This page explains authorized versus informational copies. It also lists current fees and wait times. Read this before submitting a request to ensure you have all needed information.
For questions, call (800) 201-8999 or (562) 462-2137. Staff answer questions during business hours. Phone orders are not accepted. Use mail, online, or in person methods to submit requests.
Who Can Get Certified Copies
California law limits who receives authorized certified death certificates. Health and Safety Code Section 103526 defines authorized persons as: spouse, domestic partner, child, parent, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, legal guardian, conservator, estate attorney, or anyone with property rights in the estate.
Authorized persons must prove their relationship. Mail orders require a notarized sworn statement. You sign this form under penalty of perjury stating you are authorized. A notary public witnesses and stamps the form. Banks and shipping stores offer notary services for $10 to $15.
In person orders also need proof of relationship. You sign a sworn statement at the counter with the clerk as witness. No notary is needed. Bring documents showing your relationship if available. A marriage certificate or birth certificate helps verify connection to the deceased.
Anyone not authorized receives an informational copy. This has the same data but includes a watermark stating it cannot establish identity. Informational copies work for genealogy and personal records. They do not work for legal purposes like insurance or property matters. Both types cost $26.
Note: Funeral directors can request copies without proving relationship.
How to Order Inglewood Death Certificates
Mail ordering is available for Inglewood death certificates. Get the application form from the county or state website. Complete all fields with deceased name, death date, and your contact details. Include a notarized sworn statement for authorized copies. Send payment of $26 per copy by check or money order payable to Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk. Mail to P.O. Box 489, Norwalk, CA 90651-0489. Processing takes up to 20 business days.
Online ordering is offered through the Los Angeles County online portal. Enter required information about the deceased. Upload a scanned notarized statement for authorized copies. Pay by credit card. The system charges a convenience fee plus the $26 state fee. Most online orders process within 10 business days.
In person service provides fastest results. Visit the Norwalk office at 12400 East Imperial Highway, Room 1002. Bring photo ID and details about the deceased. Same day service is available for most records. Very old records may require extra days. Pay by cash, check, or card. Some locations charge a card processing fee.
Death Certificate Fees and Wait Times
Death certificates cost $26 per copy in California. This fee went into effect January 1, 2026. The fee is the same at county and state offices. It includes a search fee plus one certified copy. No refund is given if the record is not found. Instead you receive a Certificate of No Public Record.
Multiple copies ordered together may have discounts. Ask when placing your order. Estate matters often need several copies. Ordering all at once saves money versus separate requests.
Processing time varies by method. In person service is same day. Online takes about 10 business days. Mail takes up to 20 business days. No expedited service is available. For urgent needs, visit in person.
January and April are busy months. Tax and estate deadlines create high demand. Allow extra time if ordering during these periods.
Getting Records for Recent Inglewood Deaths
Recent death records may not be on file immediately. When someone dies in Inglewood, the funeral home files the certificate with Los Angeles County Public Health. Public Health processes it and sends it to the Registrar-Recorder. This takes four to six weeks.
For very recent deaths, contact the funeral home. They receive certified copies when filing the certificate. They can provide these to family members immediately. This is faster than waiting for county processing.
Coroner cases take longer to process. The certificate cannot be finalized until investigations conclude. This may take two to three months. Call the office to check status if waiting more than eight weeks.
Older Death Records in Inglewood
Inglewood death records date to July 1, 1905 at the county office. This is when California began statewide vital records. For earlier deaths, check county or state archives. Records before 1905 are less complete.
Free online databases help locate older records. FamilySearch has California death indexes from 1905 to 1997. Search by name for basic details. These are indexes only, not certificates. Use info found to order official copies.
The California State Archives has genealogy resources including death records. Visit in Sacramento or search online. Records over 75 years old are publicly accessible.
Local libraries may have obituary collections. Old newspapers have death notices not on certificates. Check Inglewood area libraries for these resources.
More Resources for Inglewood Obituaries
The California Department of Public Health provides statewide death certificate information. You can order from the state instead of the county. Fees and requirements are the same.
For online ordering with tracking, use VitalChek. This service charges additional fees but offers expedited shipping and tracking features.
Death Records in Other Cities
All Los Angeles County cities use the same vital records office. The process is identical for all cities.