Santa Monica Death Records
Santa Monica death records are kept by Los Angeles County. The city does not operate a vital records office. All deaths in Santa Monica are recorded at the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder office in Norwalk. This central office serves every city in Los Angeles County. You can request death certificates by mail, online, or in person. The fee is $26 per copy as of January 1, 2026. Mail requests take up to 20 business days. Online orders process in about 10 days. In person visits provide same day service. Records date back to July 1905 when California began statewide registration of death records.
Santa Monica Death Certificate Facts
Where Santa Monica Death Records Are Kept
Los Angeles County maintains all death records for Santa Monica. The office is in Norwalk at 12400 East Imperial Highway. Santa Monica is about 20 miles from Norwalk. Drive time is 30 to 45 minutes depending on traffic. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Walk-ins are welcome. No appointment is needed. 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. Same day service is available for most records when you visit in person.
The Los Angeles County vital records page provides all forms and instructions. This page explains who can get authorized copies and who receives informational copies. It lists current fees and processing times. Read this before you submit a request to ensure you have everything needed.
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 place orders.
Who Can Get Certified Death Certificates
California law restricts who can receive 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 person with property rights.
Authorized persons must prove their relationship. Mail orders require a notarized sworn statement. You sign this form under penalty of perjury. A notary public witnesses and stamps it. 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 for in person requests. Bring documents showing your relationship if available. A marriage certificate or birth certificate helps verify your connection to the deceased.
Anyone not authorized receives an informational copy. This has the same data but includes a watermark saying it cannot establish identity. Informational copies work for genealogy and personal records. They do not work for legal matters like insurance or property transfers. Both types cost $26.
Three Ways to Order Death Certificates
Mail ordering is available for Santa Monica death certificates. Download the application form from the county or state website. Fill in the deceased name, death date, and your contact information. Include a notarized sworn statement if you need an authorized copy. Send payment of $26 per copy by check or money order made out to Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk. Mail to P.O. Box 489, Norwalk, CA 90651-0489. Processing takes up to 20 business days from receipt.
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 is fastest. 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 need extra days. Pay by cash, check, or card. Some locations charge a card processing fee.
Note: Phone orders are not accepted by the county office.
Death Certificate Costs and Wait Times
Death certificates cost $26 per copy in California as of January 1, 2026. This fee applies at county and state offices. It includes a search fee plus one certified copy. No refund is given if the record is not found. You receive a Certificate of No Public Record to show the search was done.
Multiple copies ordered together may have discounts. Ask when placing your order. Estate matters often require several copies. Ordering all at once saves money compared to separate requests.
Processing time varies by method. In person is same day. Online takes about 10 business days. Mail takes up to 20 business days. No expedited service is offered. For urgent needs, visit in person.
January and April are busy months due to tax and estate deadlines. Allow extra time if ordering during these periods.
Getting Records for Recent Santa Monica Deaths
Recent death records may not be on file immediately. When someone dies in Santa Monica, 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 on average.
For very recent deaths, contact the funeral home directly. They receive certified copies when filing the certificate. They can provide these to family members right away. This is faster than waiting for county processing.
Deaths involving a coroner take longer. The certificate cannot be finalized until investigations conclude. This may take two to three months or more. Call the office to check status if waiting more than eight weeks.
Older Death Records in Santa Monica
Santa Monica death records date to July 1, 1905 at the county office. This is when California began statewide vital records registration. For earlier deaths, check county or state archives. Records before 1905 are less complete and harder to locate.
Free online databases help find older records. FamilySearch has California death indexes from 1905 to 1997. Search by name for basic details. These are indexes only, not certificates. Use the information to order official copies if needed.
The California State Archives has genealogy resources including death records. Visit in Sacramento or search their online catalog. Records over 75 years old are publicly accessible.
Local libraries may have obituary collections. Old newspapers published death notices before official records. Check Santa Monica area libraries for these historical resources.
More Resources for Santa Monica Obituaries
The California Department of Public Health provides statewide death certificate information. You can order from the state office instead of the county. Fees and requirements are the same.
For online ordering with tracking features, use VitalChek. This service charges additional fees but offers expedited shipping and order tracking.
Death Records in Other Cities
All Los Angeles County cities use the same vital records office. The process is identical for all cities in the county.