South San Francisco Obituary Lookup

South San Francisco death certificates come from San Mateo County Clerk-Recorder in Redwood City. The county office maintains all death records for South San Francisco residents. Certificates are available online via VitalChek, in person at 555 County Center, or by mail. Fee is $26 per copy. Online orders add $7 for VitalChek service. Records become available two to three weeks after death. Walk in service provides same day results for deaths from 1966 forward. Older records need 24-hour notice for retrieval from storage. The Redwood City office is about a 15 minute drive from South San Francisco, making in person requests convenient for local residents who want immediate service.

San Mateo County Office Location

Death records for South San Francisco are held by San Mateo County Clerk-Recorder. The office is at 555 County Center, 1st Floor, Redwood City, CA 94063. Open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. No appointment required. Walk in anytime during business hours.

From South San Francisco, take US-101 south to Redwood City. Exit at Woodside Road and head east to the County Center. Trip takes about 15 minutes without heavy traffic. SamTrans bus routes also connect South San Francisco to Redwood City. Check current schedules before your trip.

Call (650) 363-4000 for questions about fees, forms, or record availability. Staff can tell you whether a specific death record is ready to order. Alternate number is (650) 599-1713. For very recent deaths, call San Mateo County Vital Statistics at (650) 573-2395 to check if the certificate has been filed yet.

The San Mateo County death certificates page lists all requirements. It explains authorized versus informational copies. Download the application form before you visit to save time at the counter.

Parking is available in lots adjacent to the County Center. Hourly rates apply. The building has elevators and wheelchair access. The Clerk-Recorder is on the first floor near the main entrance.

Note: Same day service applies to deaths from 1966 forward; older records take 24 hours.

Three Ways to Order

Order in person, online, or by mail. Each method has different costs and timelines. Choose based on how fast you need the certificate and whether you can visit Redwood City.

In person orders offer same day service for recent deaths. Bring a completed application form, your photo ID, and payment. Add a notarized sworn statement if you need an authorized copy. Staff process the request while you wait. Pay with cash, check, or card. You leave with the certificate.

Online orders go through VitalChek. Visit their website, select California and San Mateo County, and create an account. Enter the deceased person's information. Upload your ID and notarized statement if needed. Pay by credit card. VitalChek adds a $7 service fee. Total is about $33 per certificate. Processing takes five to ten days. You get email updates on order status.

Mail orders require sending a completed application, ID copy, payment, and notarized statement if needed for an authorized copy. 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 request.

Certificate Fees

Death certificates cost $26 each as of January 1, 2026. The fee went up by $2 due to Assembly Bill 64. This fee applies whether or not the county finds a record. If no match is found, 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 to San Mateo County Clerk-Recorder. Mail orders accept checks or money orders. Never mail cash. Online orders through VitalChek add a $7 service fee plus credit card processing fees. Expect to pay about $33 to $35 per certificate online.

Each additional copy costs $26. No bulk discount. If you need five copies, pay $130 plus service fees if ordering online. Most people order one or two copies. Estate lawyers and insurance claims sometimes require more.

Authorized vs Informational Copies

California law creates two types of certified death certificates. Authorized copies have full legal standing. Informational copies have a restrictive watermark. Both cost the same. The difference is eligibility and use.

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 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 contains the same data but includes text stating "INFORMATIONAL, NOT A VALID DOCUMENT TO ESTABLISH IDENTITY." This prevents identity theft. Informational copies work for genealogy, family research, or personal records. No notarized statement needed for informational copies.

To get an authorized copy, provide a notarized sworn statement. The statement declares your relationship to the deceased and your legal right to the record. Sign it before a notary public. The notary checks your ID and watches you sign. Lying on the statement is perjury, a crime with jail time. Submit the notarized statement with your application.

Timing for Recent Deaths

Death certificates become available two to three weeks after death. The doctor or medical examiner completes the medical portion. The funeral director files the certificate with the county. This processing takes time. Do not order before the certificate is filed or you waste 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 before the record transfers to the Clerk-Recorder. Once ready, order from the Clerk-Recorder. For deaths more than a month ago, the Clerk-Recorder definitely has it.

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

Older Death Records

San Mateo County has death records from the 1800s. Most California counties began vital records in the 1870s. All records are available but older ones take longer because of storage location.

Records before 1966 are stored off site. The county needs 24 hours to retrieve them. Call or email ahead to request retrieval. Staff will pull the record so it is ready when you visit or when they process your order. Without advance notice, there will be delays.

Very old records may have faded ink or physical damage. The county copies what exists. If parts are illegible, the copy reflects that. You cannot request a better copy if the original is damaged. Order multiple copies when getting historical records since retrieval takes time.

State Law on Death Certificates

California Health and Safety Code Section 103526 governs access to death certificates. The law took effect in 2003 to prevent identity theft. It restricts who can get authorized copies and requires notarized statements.

The statute defines authorized persons and sets penalties for false statements. Perjury charges result from lying about your relationship to the deceased. Courts take perjury seriously. Fines and jail time can result. Always tell the truth on applications.

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

Death Records for Genealogy

Family historians use death certificates to trace lineages and confirm dates. If researching an ancestor who is not a close relative, you will get an informational copy. That works fine for genealogy purposes. 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 location. Indexes usually show only name, date, and place of death. Order official certificates for complete information.

The California State Archives has some historical death records on microfilm. Their collection supplements county records. FamilySearch and Ancestry have California death indexes for searching. Use these to confirm details before ordering official certificates from the county.

Other Obituary Sources

Besides death certificates, search for obituaries in newspapers. The San Mateo Daily Journal covers the area. Check their website for recent obituaries or contact them for archives. Local funeral homes post obituaries online. Search by name on their websites.

Public libraries in South San Francisco and San Mateo may have obituary files or newspaper archives. Librarians can help you search microfilm or digital collections. This adds context beyond the death certificate.

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

Nearby San Mateo County Cities

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