Del Norte County Obituary Records
Del Norte County Clerk Recorder in Crescent City maintains death certificates for the county. As of January 1, 2026, the cost for death certificates is $26 per copy. This fee increased by $2 due to state legislation. You can request copies by mail, in person, or through approved online vendors. All requests for authorized certified copies require a sworn statement that must be signed in the presence of a notary public. Mail all forms with proper fees and a self addressed stamped envelope to the office. The office is open from 8 AM to noon and then 1 PM to 5 PM Pacific Standard Time. Del Norte County only issues death certificates for deaths that occurred within the county.
Del Norte County Death Records
Clerk Recorder Office in Crescent City
The Del Norte County Clerk Recorder office is at 981 H Street, Suite 160 in Crescent City. This is the county seat and the only location for vital records in Del Norte County. The office handles death certificates along with birth and marriage records. Staff can answer questions about the ordering process and what documents you need to submit.
Office hours are 8 AM to noon and 1 PM to 5 PM Pacific Standard Time, Monday through Friday. The office closes for lunch from noon to 1 PM each day. Plan your visit before noon or after 1 PM if you need in person service. The office is closed on weekends and all state holidays.
When you visit in person, bring a government issued photo ID. You need to provide the full name of the deceased and the date of death or at least the year. More information helps staff locate the right record faster. The office accepts cash, checks, and money orders. Make checks payable to Del Norte County Clerk Recorder.
For mail orders, go to the Del Norte County vital records page for forms and instructions. Download the application form, fill it out completely, and mail it with your payment. Include a self addressed stamped envelope with your request. This envelope is used to mail your certificate back to you once the order is processed.
The office phone number is (707) 464-7216. Call with questions about fees, processing times, or whether a record is available. Phone orders are not accepted, but staff can provide guidance on how to submit your request correctly.
Notarized Statement Requirement
Del Norte County requires all requests for authorized certified copies to include a notarized sworn statement. This statement must be signed in the presence of a notary public. Do not sign the statement before you visit the notary. The notary needs to watch you sign it to verify your identity. Without a notarized statement, the county will issue an informational copy instead of an authorized copy.
The sworn statement declares under penalty of perjury that you are an authorized person under California law. Authorized persons include immediate family members like spouses, children, parents, siblings, grandparents, and grandchildren. Legal representatives of the estate, attorneys, and funeral directors can also request authorized copies. If you do not fit one of these categories, you can still get an informational copy without a notarized statement.
Find a notary at a bank, shipping store, or mobile notary service. Some charge a small fee for notary services. Bring your completed sworn statement and a valid photo ID to the notary appointment. The notary will watch you sign, verify your ID, and stamp the document. Include this notarized statement with your mail request or bring it when you visit the office in person.
Mail Order Requirements
When you mail a request to Del Norte County, include all forms with proper fees and a self addressed stamped envelope. The self addressed stamped envelope is important. The office uses this envelope to mail your certificate back to you. Without it, your order may be delayed or returned unprocessed.
Use a regular business envelope for your self addressed stamped envelope. Write your return address clearly on the front. Put enough postage on the envelope to cover first class mail. One forever stamp is usually enough for a death certificate. If you are ordering multiple copies, use extra postage to cover the additional weight.
Mail your completed application, payment, notarized statement if needed, and self addressed stamped envelope to:
Del Norte County Clerk Recorder
981 H Street, Suite 160
Crescent City, CA 95531
Processing time depends on mail delivery and how quickly staff can locate your record. Allow two to three weeks for the entire process including mail time in both directions.
Authorized vs Informational Copies
California law defines two types of death certificates. An authorized certified copy is used for legal and financial purposes. Banks, insurance companies, and government agencies require this type. To get one, you must be an immediate family member or legally entitled person. You must also provide a notarized sworn statement proving your relationship.
An informational copy contains the same data but has a watermark saying it cannot be used to establish identity. Anyone can request an informational copy without proving their relationship or providing a notarized statement. These copies are useful for genealogy and family history. Most legal and financial institutions will not accept informational copies. The fee is $26 for either type.
Death Certificate Costs
Del Norte County charges $26 per certified copy of a death certificate as of January 1, 2026. This went up $2 from the previous fee of $24. The increase was required by Assembly Bill 64 passed by the California legislature. The fee covers the cost of searching county records and providing one copy. If the record is not found, the county keeps the fee and issues a Certificate of No Public Record.
Each additional copy ordered at the same time costs $26. There is no discount for multiple copies. Online vendors charge extra service fees on top of the county fee. Expedited shipping costs extra. Mailing your request directly to the county is the cheapest option.
Free Death Record Indexes
Free online databases index California death records. These are search tools, not official certificates. They help you find details before ordering a copy. FamilySearch has two California death indexes covering 1905 to 1997. Both are free to search.
Use California Death Index 1905-1939 for early Del Norte County records. For later years, try California Death Index 1940-1997. These databases show name, date of death, age, and county. They help you verify information before you order from the county.
Older Del Norte County Death Records
Del Norte County has death records going back many years. California started statewide death registration on July 1, 1905. Before that, counties kept their own records if they kept any. Check with the clerk recorder office to find out how far back their records go.
For very old records, the California State Archives may have microfilmed copies. They hold records from 28 counties. Records over 75 years old are public. Call the archives at (916) 653-6814 to ask about Del Norte County holdings. Local historical societies may also have obituary collections.
State Death Certificate Laws
California requires every death to be registered. The funeral director files the certificate with the local registrar. A physician or coroner completes the medical section within 15 hours or three days. These rules are in the California Health and Safety Code.
Who can get an authorized copy is defined in Health and Safety Code Section 103526. This statute lists all authorized persons and explains the notarized statement requirement. If you do not qualify, the county issues an informational copy with a watermark.
Contact Del Norte County Clerk Recorder
Del Norte County Clerk Recorder
981 H Street, Suite 160
Crescent City, CA 95531
Phone: (707) 464-7216
Hours: 8 AM to noon and 1 PM to 5 PM PST, Monday through Friday
Nearby Counties
If the death occurred outside Del Norte County, contact the county where it happened. Each county only has records for deaths within its borders.