Death Certificate Record By Mail Request

Request a Copy of a Death Record by Mail

To request a copy of a death record by mail:

• Complete an Application for a Death Record and Notarized Certificate of Identity.
• Make sure you sign the application and the Certificate of Identity.
• The Certificate of Identity must be notarized. Failure to do so will delay the processing of your request.
• If you do not live in California, have the notary strike out "California" on the Certificate of Identity and put the state in which the form is notarized. It will be accepted with the change.
• Those who are not authorized or do not wish to submit the notarized Certificate of Identity may receive an Informational Certified Copy. Informational Certified Copies have the words "INFORMATIONAL, NOT A VALID DOCUMENT TO ESTABLISH IDENTITY" imprinted across the face of the copy.
• Send request and fee to:

Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk

Birth, Death and Marriage Records Section

PO Box 489

Norwalk, CA 90651-0489

What Records Are Available?

Records are available for deaths occurring in Los Angeles County since 1877. If the death occurred outside of Los Angeles County or California, click here.

When Will I Receive My Copy?

Most mail requests are processed within 20 working days from the date the request is received by this office. The processing time does not include the delivery time to and from the office, weekends or holidays.

Fees and Payments

• Authorized Certified Death Record Copy: $21

The fee is nonrefundable. A "No Record Statement" will be issued if the record is not found.

Payment Options

Payment for mail requests can be made by the following.

• Check: Make payable to the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk. Out-of-state checks are accepted.

Note: Effective May 1, 2019, we will no longer accept temporary checks or foreign checks (with the exception of Canada and Mexico) for any Recorder/County Clerk services. If a temporary or foreign check is received, the request will be rejected and sent back to the submitter requesting a new method of payment.

• Money orders: Make payable to the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk.
• Do not send cash.
• No requests are accepted via telephone.