Redwood City Obituary Records

Redwood City death records are held by San Mateo County Clerk-Recorder, which happens to be located right in Redwood City at the County Center. This makes in person requests especially convenient for Redwood City residents. The office is on the first floor at 555 County Center. Walk in service handles most requests the same day for deaths from 1966 forward. Earlier records require 24 hours for retrieval. You can also order online via VitalChek or mail in your application. Fee is $26 per copy. Online orders add a $7 VitalChek service charge. Death certificates become available two to three weeks after death. The location in downtown Redwood City is easy to reach by car or public transit, with parking available nearby.

County Clerk-Recorder in Redwood City

San Mateo County Clerk-Recorder handles all death certificates for Redwood City residents. The office is at 555 County Center, 1st Floor, Redwood City, CA 94063. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. No appointment needed. Just walk in during business hours.

Staff at the front counter help you fill out forms and answer questions. Bring your photo ID. If you want an authorized copy, you also need a notarized sworn statement proving your relationship to the deceased. Same day service is standard for certificates from 1966 to present. Older records take 24 hours because they are in off site storage.

Call (650) 363-4000 for questions about specific records or to request retrieval of pre-1966 certificates. You can also reach them at (650) 599-1713. For very recent deaths, call San Mateo County Vital Statistics at (650) 573-2395 to check if the certificate is ready yet.

The San Mateo County death certificates page explains all the requirements. It lists fees, forms, and eligibility rules for authorized versus informational copies. Download the application form from the website before you visit to save time.

Parking lots surround the County Center. Hourly rates apply. Street parking on nearby streets has meters. SamTrans buses stop at County Center. The building has elevators and ramps for wheelchair access. The Clerk-Recorder counter is on the first floor near the main entrance.

Note: Being in the same city as the county office makes Redwood City residents' requests particularly fast.

How to Request Death Certificates

Three methods exist for ordering. In person at 555 County Center is quickest. Online through VitalChek is most convenient. Mail works if you cannot visit in person. Each has different timelines and fees.

For in person orders, go to the Clerk-Recorder office during business hours. Fill out an application at the counter or bring one you downloaded. Provide your photo ID. Add a notarized sworn statement if you need an authorized copy. Pay with cash, check, or credit card. Staff process the request while you wait if the record is recent. You walk out with the certificate.

Online orders go through VitalChek, the authorized vendor for San Mateo County. Visit their website, select California and San Mateo County, and create an account. Enter the deceased person's name, date of death, and place of death. Upload your ID. Add a notarized sworn statement for authorized copies. Pay by credit card. VitalChek charges $7 plus the $26 county fee. Processing takes five to ten days.

Mail orders require sending a completed application, copy of your ID, payment, and notarized statement if needed. Mail to San Mateo County Clerk-Recorder, 555 County Center, 1st Floor, Redwood City, CA 94063. Include a self addressed stamped envelope. Processing takes two to three weeks from when they receive your application.

Death Certificate Costs

The fee is $26 per death certificate as of January 1, 2026. Assembly Bill 64 raised the fee by $2. The fee applies even if no record is found. If the county searches and finds no match, you get a certificate of no public record and the fee is not refunded.

In person, pay by cash, check, or credit card. Make checks payable to San Mateo County Clerk-Recorder. Online orders through VitalChek add a $7 service fee plus credit card processing fees. Total online cost is about $33 to $35 per certificate. Mail orders accept checks or money orders. Never mail cash.

Multiple copies cost $26 each. No discount for ordering more than one. If you need three copies, pay $78 plus service fees if ordering online. Most people need just one or two copies. Insurance claims and estate settlements sometimes require multiple copies.

Types of Death Certificates

California issues two types of certified death certificates. Authorized copies have full legal standing. Informational copies have a watermark limiting their use. Both cost the same. The difference is who can get them and what they can be used for.

Authorized copies go to the spouse or domestic partner, children, parents, grandparents, grandchildren, and siblings of the deceased. Attorneys for the estate can get them. Funeral directors handling the arrangements qualify. Insurance companies with a policy on the deceased are eligible. Law enforcement with a court order can request them.

Everyone else gets an informational copy. It has the same information but includes text across the face stating "INFORMATIONAL, NOT A VALID DOCUMENT TO ESTABLISH IDENTITY." This prevents use for identity theft. Informational copies work fine for genealogy, family history, or personal records. No notarized statement required for informational copies.

To get an authorized copy, submit a notarized sworn statement declaring your relationship to the deceased and your legal right to the record. Sign it in front of a notary public. The notary verifies your identity. Lying on the statement is perjury, a crime with serious penalties. Submit the notarized statement with your application.

Getting Certificates for Recent Deaths

Death certificates take two to three weeks to become available. The doctor or medical examiner completes the medical section. The funeral director files the certificate with the county. This all takes time. Do not order before the certificate is filed or you lose the search fee.

For very recent deaths, call San Mateo County Vital Statistics at (650) 573-2395. Ask if the certificate is ready to order. They handle new death registrations. Once ready, you order from the Clerk-Recorder. For deaths more than a month ago, the Clerk-Recorder definitely has the record.

In person requests for deaths from 1966 forward process same day. Older records need 24 hours for retrieval from off site storage. Call ahead if you need a pre-1966 certificate and want it ready when you arrive.

Old Death Records

San Mateo County maintains death records from the 1800s forward. Most California counties started keeping vital records in the 1870s. All records are available but older ones take longer because of where they are stored.

Records before 1966 are off site. The county needs 24 hours to retrieve them. Call or email ahead to request retrieval. Staff will have the record ready when you come in or when they process your mail or online order. Without notice, expect delays while they get it from storage.

Very old records may have faded ink or physical damage. The county copies what exists. If parts are illegible, the copy will reflect that. You cannot get a better copy if the original is damaged. Order extra copies when you get historical records since retrieving them again takes another 24 hours.

California Death Record Law

California Health and Safety Code Section 103526 controls who can get authorized death certificates. The law passed in 2003 to prevent identity theft. It restricts access to close family members and certain officials.

The statute defines authorized persons and requires notarized statements for authorized copies. Penalties for lying on the statement include criminal prosecution for perjury. Courts impose fines and jail time for perjury. Do not falsify your relationship to the deceased.

Informational copies are available to anyone who does not qualify for authorized copies. They serve genealogists and researchers. The informational legend prevents misuse while allowing legitimate research.

Using Death Records for Family History

Family historians and genealogists often need death certificates for ancestors. If the deceased is not a close relative, you will receive an informational copy. That works fine for genealogy. It includes all the information you need.

Official certificates have more detail than online indexes. They show cause of death, birthplace, parents' names, occupation, and burial information. Indexes typically show only name, date, and place of death. Order from the county for complete details.

The California State Archives has some historical death records on microfilm. Their collection supplements but does not replace county records. FamilySearch and Ancestry have California death indexes available for searching. Use these to confirm details before ordering official certificates.

Other Obituary Sources

Besides death certificates, search for obituaries in local newspapers. The San Mateo Daily Journal publishes obituaries for the area. Check their website or archives. Funeral homes often post obituaries online. Search by name on funeral home websites.

Redwood City Public Library may have obituary clipping files or newspaper archives. Librarians can help you search microfilm or digital collections. This adds biographical context beyond what the death certificate provides.

Online obituary databases like Legacy.com aggregate postings from newspapers nationwide. Search for free though some features require payment. These are useful for finding recent obituaries quickly but do not replace official certificates for legal matters.

Other Cities in San Mateo County

San Mateo County includes several large cities. Daly City, San Mateo, and South San Francisco all use the same Clerk-Recorder office in Redwood City. Order certificates for any of these cities from 555 County Center.