Lake County Obituary Records
Lake County maintains death certificates for deaths that occurred within the county. The county office in Lakeport handles all vital records requests. You can order copies by visiting in person, mailing a request, or using approved online vendors. The fee follows California state law and covers one certified copy plus the search. Death certificates are needed for many legal and financial purposes including settling estates, claiming insurance, and notifying government agencies. Lake County only issues certificates for deaths within its borders. If the death happened in another county, you must contact that county's office directly.
Lake County Death Records
Lake County Office in Lakeport
Lake County handles vital records from an office in Lakeport. This is the county seat and the only location for death certificate requests in Lake County. The office maintains death records along with birth and marriage certificates. Staff can answer questions about the ordering process and what documents you need to submit.
Visit the Lake County death certificates page for information on ordering copies. This page explains fees, processing times, and what to include in your request. Forms and instructions are available on the site for download.
When you visit in person, bring a valid photo ID. You need to provide the full name of the deceased and the date of death or at least the year. More details help staff find the right record. The office accepts cash, checks, and money orders. Make checks payable to Lake County.
For mail orders, download the application form from the county website. Fill it out completely and mail it with your payment. Include your contact information so the office can reach you if they have questions. Processing time depends on mail delivery and how complex the search is. Allow two to three weeks for the entire process.
Authorized and Informational Copies
California law requires counties to issue two different types of death certificates. An authorized copy is a certified document used for legal and financial matters. This type is required to settle estates, claim insurance benefits, notify Social Security, or handle other official business. To get an authorized copy, you must be an immediate family member or legally entitled person. Eligible persons include spouses, children, parents, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, or legal representatives of the estate.
When requesting an authorized copy, you must submit a notarized sworn statement. This document declares under penalty of perjury that you are authorized to receive the record. Visit a notary public, sign the statement in their presence, and include the notarized document with your application. Without this notarized statement, the county issues an informational copy instead.
An informational copy contains all the same information as an authorized copy. The difference is a watermark that says 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 research. Most banks, insurance companies, and government agencies will not accept informational copies for official purposes. The fee is the same for both types at $26 per copy.
Death Certificate Fees
Lake County charges $26 per certified copy of a death certificate. This is the standard fee set by California state law. The fee covers the cost of searching county records and providing one copy. If the office cannot locate the record, they keep the fee and issue a Certificate of No Public Record. This happens even if the record does not exist or you provided incorrect information.
Each additional copy ordered at the same time costs $26. There is no discount for ordering multiple copies. Online vendors like VitalChek charge extra service fees on top of the county fee. These can add $10 to $15 or more. Expedited shipping costs extra. Mailing your request directly to the county is the cheapest option.
Records for Recent Deaths
Death certificates are not available right away after a death occurs. The funeral director files initial paperwork. A physician or coroner completes the medical section. The county health department processes the information. This takes several weeks. Most death certificates become available from the county office about four to six weeks after the date of death.
If you need a certificate for a very recent death, call the Lake County office first. Ask if the record has been filed yet. If not, staff can estimate when it will be ready. Ordering before the record is available results in a Certificate of No Public Record. You still pay the fee even though the record was not found. Calling ahead saves time and money.
Free Death Record Indexes
Free online databases let you search California death records by name and date. These are indexes, not official certificates. They show basic details to help you verify information before ordering a copy. FamilySearch offers two California death indexes covering 1905 to 1997. Both are free to search.
Use California Death Index 1905-1939 for early Lake County records. For later years, try California Death Index 1940-1997. These databases show name, date of death, age, and county. They help you confirm details before ordering from the county.
Older Lake County Death Records
Lake County has death records going back many decades. California started statewide death registration on July 1, 1905. Before that, counties kept their own records if they kept any. Some Lake County records from the 1800s may exist. Check with the county office to find out how far back their records go.
For very old records, the California State Archives in Sacramento may have microfilmed copies. They hold records from 28 California counties. Records over 75 years old are public. Call the archives at (916) 653-6814 to ask about Lake County holdings. Local historical societies and libraries may also have obituary collections from old newspapers.
California Death Certificate Laws
State law requires every death to be registered. The funeral director or person in charge of the body files the certificate with the local registrar. A physician or coroner completes the medical section within 15 hours of the death or three days if the coroner is involved. These rules are in the California Health and Safety Code.
Who can receive 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. This protects privacy and prevents identity theft.
Contact Lake County Office
Lake County Vital Records
Lakeport, CA
Visit the county website for current contact information, office hours, and mailing address.
Nearby Counties
If the death occurred outside Lake County, contact the county where it happened. Each county only has records for deaths within its borders.