Anaheim Death Records
Death certificates for people who died in Anaheim are issued through Orange County offices. The city itself does not maintain a vital records office. Anaheim residents need to contact either the Orange County Health Care Agency Office of Vital Records or the Orange County Clerk-Recorder to get copies of death certificates. These county offices keep death records for all events that took place in Anaheim and the rest of Orange County. The Office of Vital Records has certificates from the last two years, while the Clerk-Recorder maintains older records going back further.
Orange County Issues Death Certificates
All death records for Anaheim go through Orange County. When someone dies in Anaheim, the death certificate gets filed with Orange County's vital records system. You cannot request death certificates from Anaheim City Hall. The city clerk's office handles city business like council meeting minutes and local ordinances. Vital records like death certificates fall under county jurisdiction.
Orange County has two offices for death records. The Office of Vital Records at the Health Care Agency handles recent deaths from the last 24 months. Their office is at 200 W. Santa Ana Blvd., Suite 100-B in Santa Ana. For older records, contact the Orange County Clerk-Recorder. The fee for a certified death certificate is $26 as of January 2026. This price went up by $2 due to Assembly Bill 64.
You can request certificates in person, by mail, or online through VitalChek. In-person requests typically get processed the same day if you visit during business hours. Mail requests take longer. Online orders through VitalChek cost an extra $12.95 for processing plus shipping fees. Regular mail shipping has no extra charge. UPS priority shipping adds $21.
Who Can Get a Death Certificate
Anyone can ask for an informational copy of a death certificate. These copies work for genealogy and family history research. They have a stamp that says they cannot be used to establish identity. If you need an authorized copy, you must prove your relationship to the deceased person. Authorized copies work for legal tasks like claiming life insurance or handling an estate.
Eligible requesters include parents, children, grandparents, grandchildren, siblings, spouses, and domestic partners. Law enforcement and government agencies can also request records for official business. Attorneys representing the deceased or the estate qualify. Funeral home staff can get copies when acting in their official capacity. If you want an authorized copy, you need a notarized sworn statement. The notary confirms your identity and watches you sign the form.
Orange County follows California state law on who can receive death records. Health and Safety Code Section 103526 sets these rules. The law protects the privacy of vital records while allowing access to those with a legitimate need.
Request Process for Anaheim Deaths
To order a death certificate, you need basic information. Provide the full name of the deceased person. Include the date of death or at least the year. State that the death occurred in Anaheim or Orange County. Additional details help locate the record faster. These include age at death, parents' names, and social security number if available.
Fill out an Application for Vital Record. You can download this form from the Orange County website. The form asks for your contact information and your relationship to the deceased. Pay the $26 fee in advance. Orange County accepts checks, money orders, credit cards for online orders, and cash or debit cards for in-person visits. Payment is required before they search for the record.
Mail your completed application to the appropriate office. Send requests for recent deaths to the Office of Vital Records. Send requests for older deaths to the Clerk-Recorder. Include your payment with your application. Processing times vary. In-person requests may be done the same day. Mail orders take 1 to 3 weeks. Online VitalChek orders take 1 to 6 weeks depending on your shipping choice.
California Death Record Laws
State law requires death registration within eight calendar days. Each death must be registered with the local registrar where the death was pronounced or the body was found. This rule is in Health and Safety Code Section 102775. It ensures that vital records get created quickly.
Death records become available about two weeks after the event. Counties need time to process the paperwork and file the certificate. Orange County typically makes recent death certificates available within 8 to 21 days. Older records are already on file and can be retrieved faster if you provide accurate details.
Nearby Cities in Orange County
Other major cities in Orange County also direct residents to county offices for death certificates. These cities include Santa Ana, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove, and Orange. All follow the same process through Orange County's vital records system. Fullerton is another city that uses county services. Check the city pages for details specific to each area.