Torrance Obituary and Death Records
Torrance death records and obituaries are filed with Los Angeles County. The city does not have its own vital records office. Every death in Torrance is recorded by the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder in Norwalk. This central office serves all cities in the county. You can get death certificates by mail, online, or in person. The cost is $26 per certified copy starting January 1, 2026. Mail requests take up to 20 business days. Walk-in service at the Norwalk office provides same day copies for most records. The office maintains death records back to July 1905 for all of Los Angeles County.
Torrance Death Certificate Details
Where to Get Torrance Death Certificates
Los Angeles County keeps all death records for Torrance. The main office is at 12400 East Imperial Highway in Norwalk. Torrance is about 10 miles from Norwalk. The drive takes 20 to 30 minutes in light traffic. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Walk-ins are welcome with no appointment needed.
When you visit, bring a photo ID. You will need the full name of the person who died. The date of death helps speed the search. If you do not know the exact date, staff can search a range. There is no extra fee for searching multiple dates. Each copy you receive costs $26.
The Los Angeles County vital records page has all forms and instructions. This page explains who can get authorized copies versus informational copies. It also lists current fees and processing times. Read this before you submit a request.
For questions, call (800) 201-8999 or (562) 462-2137. Staff can answer questions about fees and requirements. They cannot take orders by phone. Use mail, online, or in person methods to submit requests.
Who Can Request Certified Copies
California limits who can get authorized certified death certificates. The law is Health and Safety Code Section 103526. Authorized persons include: spouse, registered domestic partner, child, parent, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, legal guardian, conservator, attorney for the estate, or anyone with a property right interest in the estate.
If you are an authorized person, you must prove it. Mail requests need a notarized sworn statement. This form says you are authorized under the law. Sign it in front of a notary public. The notary stamps and signs the form. Banks and shipping stores offer notary service for $10 to $15.
In person requests also need proof of relationship. You sign a sworn statement at the counter. The clerk witnesses your signature. No notary is needed for in person requests. Bring documents that show your relationship if you have them. A marriage certificate or birth certificate helps verify your connection.
Anyone who does not qualify gets an informational copy. These copies show all the same data but have a watermark. The watermark says the copy cannot establish identity. Informational copies work for genealogy and personal records. They do not work for legal matters. The fee is $26 for either type.
Note: Funeral directors can request copies without proving a relationship to the deceased.
How to Order Death Records for Torrance
Torrance residents can order by mail. Get the application form from the county website or state health department. Fill in the name, date of death, and your contact details. Include a notarized statement if you need an authorized copy. Send a check or money order for $26 per copy. Make it out to Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk. Mail to P.O. Box 489, Norwalk, CA 90651-0489. Allow up to 20 business days for processing.
Online ordering is available through the Los Angeles County online portal. Enter the required information about the deceased. Upload a scan of your notarized statement if needed. Pay by credit card. The system charges a convenience fee on top of the $26. Most online orders process in 10 days or less.
In person service is fastest. Go to the Norwalk office at 12400 East Imperial Highway, Room 1002. Bring ID and details about the deceased. You can get your copy the same day for most records. Pay by cash, check, or card. Some offices charge a card processing fee.
Death Certificate Fees and Wait Times
Death certificates cost $26 per copy in California. This went up from $24 on January 1, 2026. The fee is the same at county and state offices. It includes a search fee plus one copy. If the record is not found, you do not get a refund. The office gives you a Certificate of No Public Record instead.
Additional copies ordered at the same time may have a discount. Ask when you place your order. Many people need several copies for estate matters. It saves money to order them all at once.
Processing time varies by method. In person is same day. Online takes about 10 business days. Mail takes up to 20 business days. There is no expedited service. If you need it fast, go in person.
January and April are the busiest months. Tax season and year end create high demand. Add a few extra days if you order during these times.
Getting Records for Recent Torrance Deaths
Recent death records may not be on file yet. It takes four to six weeks for a new record to reach the Registrar-Recorder. The funeral home files the certificate with Los Angeles County Public Health first. Public Health processes it and sends it to the Registrar-Recorder.
For very recent deaths, contact the funeral home. They get certified copies when they file the certificate. They can give these to family members right away. This is faster than waiting for the county.
Coroner cases take longer. The death certificate cannot be finalized until the investigation ends. This can take two to three months. Call the office to check status if you have been waiting more than eight weeks.
Older Death Records in Torrance
Torrance death records date back to July 1, 1905 at the county office. This is when California began statewide vital records. For earlier deaths, check the county archives or California State Archives. Records before 1905 are less complete.
Free online indexes help you find older records. FamilySearch has California death indexes from 1905 to 1997. Search by name to find dates and details. These are index entries only. Use the info to order an official copy.
The California State Archives has genealogy resources. Visit in Sacramento or search their online catalog. Records over 75 years old are open to the public.
Local libraries may have obituary collections. Old newspapers have death notices not found on certificates. Check with Torrance area libraries for these resources.
More Resources for Torrance Obituaries
The California Department of Public Health has statewide death certificate information. You can order from the state instead of the county. The fee and requirements are the same.
For online ordering with tracking, use VitalChek. This service adds 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 every city in the county.