San Leandro Death Records

San Leandro death certificates are issued by Alameda County, not the city. The county auditor clerk maintains all death records for people who died in San Leandro city limits. Two office locations serve the county: 1106 Madison Street in Oakland and 7600 Dublin Boulevard in Dublin. The Dublin office is closer for many San Leandro residents. You can order death certificates in person, by mail, or online. Alameda County keeps death records from 1893 forward. Records before 1893 are not available. Recent deaths take two to three weeks before certificates are ready. The fee is $28 per copy. Authorized family members get certified copies for legal use, while anyone can request informational copies for genealogy.

Alameda County Office Locations

Alameda County Auditor Clerk handles all San Leandro death records. The Dublin satellite office at 7600 Dublin Boulevard, Suite 160, Dublin, CA offers convenient access. The main office is at 1106 Madison Street, Oakland, CA 94607. Both locations provide identical services. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Offices close on weekends and holidays.

Call 1-510-272-6362 or toll free 1-888-280-7708 to verify a record is available before visiting. Staff check the system to see if the certificate has been received from the state. For very recent deaths, allow two to three weeks. Mail orders take about two to three weeks from receipt. Certificates from 1960 to present are usually ready same day for in person visits. Older certificates from 1871 to 1959 may take up to three business days to pull from storage.

Email vitalrec@acgov.org with questions about fees and requirements. Fax requests to (510) 208-9957. The county does not search records without a written application. Download forms from the county website. Review instructions before visiting or mailing a request.

Free parking is at the Dublin office. The Oakland office has metered street parking and nearby lots. Bring photo ID and payment. Most recent death certificates are printed while you wait for in person requests.

What Information You Need

To order a San Leandro death certificate, provide the full legal name of the deceased and the date of death. If you only know the year, the county can search, but it takes longer. You also give your name, address, phone, and relationship to the person who died.

For an authorized certified copy, you must be a spouse, child, parent, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, attorney, or funeral director. State law limits access to prevent fraud. Complete a sworn statement declaring your relationship. Get this notarized at a bank, UPS store, or law office. Bring photo ID to the notary. Notary fees run $10 to $15.

If you do not qualify, request an informational copy. This shows the same data but has a watermark. Anyone can get an informational copy without proving relationship. No notary needed. Researchers and genealogists use informational copies.

The fee is $28 per certificate. This covers the search even if no record is found. If the county does not find a record, they keep the fee and send a no record letter. Make sure your information is accurate.

How to Order

In person service is fastest. Bring your application, notarized statement if needed, photo ID, and payment of $28. Pay with cash, check, or card. Make checks to Alameda County Clerk. For deaths from 1960 forward, most certificates are done same day. Older records take up to three business days.

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

Online orders use the county website. There is a $2 convenience fee plus $28 certificate fee. You need a credit or debit card. Processing is like mail orders. Upload or mail your notarized statement for authorized copies. The county will not release your certificate until they get it.

Note: Records before 1893 are not available.

Certificate Information

A death certificate lists the person's full name, gender, birth date, age at death, and birthplace. It shows when and where death occurred in San Leandro. The cause and certifying doctor or coroner appear. You see occupation, marital status, and spouse's name if married. Parents' names are included.

Additional details may include funeral home, burial or cremation method, and cemetery location. Social security number may be listed but often redacted on informational copies. The certificate does not contain financial records or detailed medical history. For estate matters, you need probate court documents.

Alameda County issues two types. An unrestricted certified copy works for legal purposes like closing accounts and claiming benefits. An informational copy has a watermark and cannot establish identity. The fee is $28 for either type.

California Death Record Laws

California requires all deaths be registered with the county where they occurred. Funeral directors file the certificate within days. The doctor or coroner certifies cause. The county sends a copy to the state, creating both records.

Access is controlled by Health and Safety Code Section 103526. This law defines authorized persons. It prevents identity theft. Only family and legal representatives get unrestricted copies. Others get informational copies.

Records over 75 years old are public. For San Leandro deaths before 1951, anyone can request a certified copy. The fee stays $28. Old records may be archived and take extra time.

To fix an error, contact the California Department of Public Health, not the county. The state handles all amendments. You pay a fee and provide proof. Common fixes include name spellings, wrong dates, and cause errors.

Additional Resources

The Alameda County Coroner investigates sudden or suspicious deaths in San Leandro. Contact their office for case info. The coroner determines cause and releases the body. The funeral home then files the certificate.

For genealogy, the California State Archives has old Alameda County records on microfilm. The archives are at 1500 11th Street in Sacramento. Call (916) 653-6814. Many records are online through FamilySearch. The state death index for 1905 to 1997 is free to search.

Legal help is available through the Alameda County Bar Association. They refer you to probate attorneys. Many offer free consultations. Legal aid groups help low income residents with death related legal issues.

San Leandro residents needing funeral help can contact Alameda County Social Services about indigent burial programs. These programs assist qualifying families with burial or cremation costs.

Other Alameda County Cities

All county cities use the same office. Oakland, Fremont, Hayward, Livermore, Alameda, Pleasanton, and Union City residents all use Oakland or Dublin offices.