Los Angeles County Death Records
Los Angeles County maintains death certificates for all deaths that have taken place within the county. The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk office handles these vital records. You can order death certificates in person, by mail, or online. The office keeps records dating back to 1903. Authorized persons can get certified copies to use for legal matters like insurance claims and estate settlement. Anyone can request an informational copy for genealogy or personal records. Processing times vary based on how you submit your request. Mail orders take up to 20 business days while in person service may be same day.
Los Angeles County Death Records Quick Facts
Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder Office
The Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk office is the main agency for death records in Los Angeles County. Dean C. Logan serves as the current Registrar-Recorder. The office issues both authorized certified copies and informational copies of death certificates. An authorized certified copy can be used to obtain death benefits, claim insurance proceeds, or notify Social Security. These copies require proof that you are an eligible person under state law.
The main office is at 12400 East Imperial Highway, Room 1002, Norwalk, CA 90650. You can visit this location during business hours to submit requests in person. If you come in person, you must complete an approved application form and sign a sworn statement before a clerk. No appointment is needed. Staff will help you fill out the forms. The fee must be paid at the time of your request.
For mail requests, send your order to P.O. Box 489, Norwalk, CA 90651-0489. Include a completed application form and a notarized Certificate of Identity if you want an authorized copy. Processing takes about 20 working days from when they receive your request. The office only processes complete applications. Missing information or insufficient payment will delay your order. They do not return incomplete requests or refund fees if a record is not found.
You can reach the office by phone at (800) 201-8999 or (562) 462-2137. The toll free number works from anywhere in the United States. Customer service can answer questions about fees, requirements, and whether a record is available. They cannot take orders over the phone. Email inquiries can be sent to recorder@rrcc.lacounty.gov for general information.
The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder vital records page provides full details on ordering death certificates. This page explains the difference between authorized and informational copies. It also lists who qualifies to receive an authorized copy under California law.
Order Death Certificates Online for Los Angeles County
Los Angeles County offers online ordering through an official web application. This system lets you fill out the request form and submit it electronically. You do not need to mail anything. Go to the online application portal to start. The system will guide you through each step. You need basic details about the deceased including full name and date of death.
Visit the Los Angeles County online death certificate application to begin your request. This is the official county system. It does not charge extra service fees beyond the state mandated certificate cost. You can pay with a credit card or electronic check. The processing time is the same as mail orders, up to 20 business days.
If you need an authorized copy, you still must provide a notarized statement. Upload a scanned copy of your notarized Certificate of Identity when you submit the online form. Without this, you will receive an informational copy instead. The watermark on an informational copy says it is not valid to establish identity. Many agencies will not accept it for legal purposes.
Los Angeles County Public Health Death Records
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health also maintains some death records. This office handles very recent deaths that have not yet been transferred to the Registrar-Recorder. If someone died in the last few weeks, contact the Public Health office first. They can issue copies sooner than the Registrar-Recorder.
The Public Health vital records unit is part of the Division of Community Affairs. They register deaths and file the official certificates with the state. After processing, they send copies to the Registrar-Recorder for permanent storage. This transfer happens within a few weeks to a month after the death. For older records, always contact the Registrar-Recorder instead.
For very recent death records in Los Angeles County, visit the Los Angeles County Public Health death certificate page. This page has information on ordering recent death certificates. It also explains when to use this office versus the Registrar-Recorder.
Death Certificate Costs in Los Angeles County
As of January 1, 2026, death certificates cost $26 per copy in Los Angeles County. This fee went up by $2 due to Assembly Bill 64. The cost is the same for authorized and informational copies. You pay this fee whether the record is found or not. If the office cannot locate the record, they issue a Certificate of No Public Record instead of a refund.
Payment methods depend on how you order. For mail requests, send a check or money order. Make it payable to Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk. Do not send cash. The office cannot accept cash payments by mail. For in person visits, you can pay with cash, check, money order, or credit card. Online orders require a credit card or electronic check.
Additional copies of the same record ordered at the same time cost less. Ask about bulk pricing if you need multiple copies. Some legal matters require several certified copies for different agencies. Getting them all at once saves money compared to placing separate orders.
Authorized Persons for Death Certificates
California law limits who can get an authorized certified copy of a death record. You must be one of these people to qualify. A spouse or domestic partner of the deceased can request copies. Children, parents, grandparents, grandchildren, and siblings also qualify. An attorney representing the deceased's estate is eligible. Funeral home staff who handled the arrangements can get copies too.
Government agencies and law enforcement can request death certificates for official purposes. A court order can authorize anyone to receive a copy. If you do not fit any of these categories, you can still get an informational copy. The informational copy shows all the same information but cannot be used for legal identification.
You must prove your relationship to the deceased when requesting an authorized copy. The California Health and Safety Code Section 103526 defines all authorized persons. This state law applies to all counties in California including Los Angeles County. The notarized sworn statement requirement comes from this statute.
Note: If you request an authorized copy but do not qualify, the office will send you an informational copy instead of denying your request entirely.
How Long Processing Takes
Processing time varies based on your request method. Mail orders take up to 20 working days from when the Registrar-Recorder receives your complete application. This does not include mail delivery time. Add several days for the postal service to deliver your request and then mail back the certificate. Total time can be four to five weeks.
In person requests at the Norwalk office may be completed the same day for recent records. Deaths from 1960 to present are usually available right away. Older records from before 1960 take longer. Some early records are stored offsite and require a few business days to retrieve. Call ahead if you need a record from before 1960.
Online orders through the county web portal follow the same timeline as mail orders. Expect up to 20 business days. The advantage of online is you do not lose time with mail delivery. Your request reaches the office faster than postal mail.
Older Death Records in Los Angeles County
Los Angeles County has death records going back to 1903. Some even older records exist but may have gaps. Early records are not as complete as modern certificates. Information varies by year and how the record was filed. Name, date, and place of death are usually included. Cause of death details improved over time as medical standards changed.
Records before 1960 may take longer to obtain. These are often stored in archives or on microfilm. Staff must retrieve them from offsite storage. This adds a few days to the processing time. If you visit in person, ask about wait times for old records. The staff can tell you if they need to order a file from storage.
For genealogy research, Los Angeles County records are valuable. They cover one of the largest populations in the state. Many families who lived in Southern California have relatives who died in Los Angeles County. Informational copies work fine for family history since you do not need legal proof of identity for a family tree.
Death Records for Los Angeles County Cities
Los Angeles County is home to many cities. Most do not have their own vital records offices. Residents must use the county Registrar-Recorder. A few exceptions exist. Long Beach and Pasadena have independent health departments. They maintain some recent death records for deaths within their city limits.
If the death happened in one of these cities, you may be able to get a copy from the city instead of the county. City offices sometimes process requests faster for very recent deaths. For deaths more than a few years old, the county office is your only option. The city offices only keep current year records plus one or two prior years.
Major cities in Los Angeles County that rely on the county Registrar-Recorder for all death records include:
- Los Angeles
- Glendale
- Santa Clarita
- Torrance
- Inglewood
- Burbank
- Carson
Long Beach operates its own health department and issues death certificates for deaths since 2005. Pasadena also has an independent vital records office with death records from 1993 to present. For all other cities in the county, contact the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder.
Application Forms You Need
Los Angeles County uses the standard California death certificate application. This is form VS 112 from the California Department of Public Health. The county also provides its own version of this form. Both work the same way. You can download the form from the county website or pick one up in person.
Fill out the form completely. List the deceased's full name as it appears on the death certificate. Include any other names they used. Give the exact date of death or at least the year. The more details you provide, the faster the search goes. Include your own contact information so the office can reach you if there are questions.
If you want an authorized copy, you must attach a notarized Certificate of Identity. This is a sworn statement that you are an authorized person under state law. The statement lists your relationship to the deceased. You must sign it in front of a notary public. The notary stamps and signs the form. Without this notarized statement, you will only receive an informational copy.
Download forms and instructions from the Registrar-Recorder vital records request page. This page has links to all required forms. It also shows sample completed forms so you can see what to fill in.
Los Angeles County Medical Examiner Records
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner investigates certain types of deaths. These include deaths from accidents, homicides, suicides, and unknown causes. The coroner determines the cause and manner of death. They complete the medical portion of the death certificate. The Registrar-Recorder issues the final certificate once the coroner finishes their report.
Coroner cases can take longer than natural deaths. The investigation must be done before the death certificate is complete. This can delay when the certificate becomes available. If you need a death certificate and know the coroner is involved, expect to wait several weeks or months depending on the complexity of the case.
The Medical Examiner maintains separate case files and autopsy reports. These are not the same as a death certificate. You can request coroner records for certain purposes. Privacy laws restrict access to autopsy reports and detailed investigation files. Only authorized persons can get full coroner records. General death certificates do not include the full autopsy report.
Using VitalChek for Los Angeles County
VitalChek is a third party service that processes vital records requests for many counties. Los Angeles County does not currently use VitalChek for death certificates. You must order directly from the county. Use the county's own online system, mail, or visit in person. Do not use VitalChek for Los Angeles County death records.
Some people try to order through VitalChek out of habit. VitalChek will redirect you to the county if you attempt this. Save time by going straight to the county Registrar-Recorder. Their online system and mail options work well without a third party service.
Note: Always verify the current ordering method before submitting a request, as county procedures can change.
Getting Your Death Certificate Faster
Visit the office in person if you need a certificate quickly. The Norwalk location processes many requests while you wait. Bring your photo ID and all required information about the deceased. Arrive early in the day to avoid long lines. The office is busiest at lunch time and right before closing.
Make sure your application is complete before you submit it. Missing information causes delays. Double check the spelling of names and the accuracy of dates. An incorrect date can make the search take longer. If you are not sure of the exact date, give a range of years.
Use the online system instead of mail when possible. Your request reaches the office immediately. You also get confirmation that they received it. Mail can get lost or delayed by the postal service. Online submission removes that risk.
For very recent deaths, contact the Public Health department to check if the record is available yet. They can tell you when it will be transferred to the Registrar-Recorder. This saves you from placing an order before the record is ready.
Death Records in Nearby Counties
If the death did not occur in Los Angeles County, you need to contact a different county. Each county only has records for deaths within its borders. Several counties border Los Angeles County. Orange County is to the south. Ventura County is to the northwest. San Bernardino County and Riverside County are to the east.
Nearby counties with their own death records offices:
Make sure you know where the death took place before ordering. The county keeps your fee even if they cannot find the record. Ordering from the wrong county wastes money and time. If you are not sure which county, start with the county where the person lived. That is often where they died too.