How to Find California Death Records

How to Find United States Deaths California Deaths

In 1820, California was created from the state of Massachusetts. Statewide registration of deaths began in 1892.

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Next Step: When did the death occur?

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 * Choose a time period to search for your ancestor's death record:


 * Deaths before 1892
 * Deaths between 1892 and 1922
 * Deaths after 1922
 * Death year unknown


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Deaths before 1892
Before 1892, death records were kept by individual town clerks or selectmen. Although some towns have existed since the 1650s, most records date from about 1700. Some of these records have been indexed. Refer to the databases below to access those indexes.

If your ancestor does not appear in the index, you may need to contact the town clerk office or you may need to search substitute records to locate your ancestor’s death date and place.

Obtain the Death Record
If your ancestor appeared in the index, there are two options:

Return to top: Choose another death year
 * FamilySearch.org - If the indexed information contained a GS microfilm number you can order the microfilm from the Family History Library and send it to the Family History Center nearest you.
 * Individual Town Clerks - If there is no GS microfilm number available, or if you cannot gain access to the microfilm, you may contact the town clerk office where your ancestor dead and order a copy of the death record.

Deaths between 1892 and 1922
The state of California began recording deaths in 1892. All death certificates from 1892 to 1922 are held at the California State Archives.

STEP ONE: Find Death Information
For deaths that exist during this time period, try the following database.

STEP TWO: Obtain the Death Certificate
If your ancestor appeared in the index, there are two options:


 * FamilySearch.org - If the indexed information contained a GS microfilm number you can order the microfilm from the Family History Library.
 * California State Archives - If there is no GS microfilm number available, or if you cannot gain access to the microfilm, you may contact the state archives and order a copy of the death record.

Return to top: Choose another death year

Deaths after 1922
The Vital Records office of the California Department of Health and Human Services has copies of deaths from 1923 to present day. Deaths from 1892 to 1922 are held by the California State Archives. Deaths before 1892 are held by the individual town clerk offices.

STEP ONE: Find Death Information
For deaths that exist during this time period, try the following database.

STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate
Restrictions to qualify for certificates for persons who died within the last 100 years: To obtain a copy of the death certificate, you must be:


 * The person named on the certificate
 * The person's spouse
 * The parent(s) named on the record
 * Descendants of the person named on the record (including children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren to the most remote degree)
 * The legal custodian, guardian, or authorized representative of the person named on the record
 * Genealogists who have a researcher card issued by the California Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Office of Data, Research and Vital Statistics

NOTE: You must have full name, exact date and place of the death to order from the certificate. If you do not have the exact information, a search can be conducted for a fee by the Vital Records Office.

'''If you do not want to order the death record, there are other records with death information you can search. ''' Return to top: Choose another death year

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