Berkeley Death Certificates

Berkeley is one of the few California cities that maintains its own vital records office. The City of Berkeley Office of Vital Statistics issues death certificates for deaths that occurred in Berkeley within the past 2 years. For older records, you must contact Alameda County. This makes Berkeley different from most cities in California, which send all death certificate requests to county offices. If someone died in Berkeley recently, you have two options for getting a copy. You can apply through the city office or go through the county system. Each has its own procedures and processing times.

Berkeley Office of Vital Statistics

The City of Berkeley Office of Vital Statistics is at 1947 Center Street in Berkeley. Their phone number is (510) 981-5320. You can email them at vitalrecords@berkeleyca.gov. This office handles death certificates for deaths that occurred in Berkeley within the last 2 years. If the death happened more than 2 years ago, they cannot help you. You need to contact Alameda County instead.

Berkeley's vital records office follows California state law on fees and eligibility. The cost for a certified death certificate is $26 per copy as of January 2026. This fee went up by $2 due to Assembly Bill 64. Payment must be made in advance. The office accepts checks, money orders, and cash for in-person requests. Credit cards may be accepted for online or phone orders.

You can request records in person, by mail, or by phone. In-person visits may get processed faster. Bring a valid photo ID and payment. Fill out an application form at the office. Staff will search their files and issue the certificate if they find it. Mail requests take longer, usually 2 to 3 weeks. Send your completed application and payment to the Center Street address. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope if you want faster return mail.

Older Records Through Alameda County

For Berkeley deaths that occurred more than 2 years ago, contact Alameda County. The Alameda County Clerk-Recorder maintains death certificates going back to 1871. Some older records may take extra time to retrieve from archives. The county office is at 1106 Madison Street in Oakland. They have a second location at 7600 Dublin Boulevard in Dublin.

Alameda County charges $28 per certified death certificate. This is slightly higher than the state standard due to local fees. You can call them at 1-510-272-6362 or toll free at 1-888-280-7708. Office hours are Monday through Friday. In-person requests for records from 1960 to present can usually be completed the same day. Records from 1871 to 1959 take up to 3 business days to process. Mail orders take approximately 2 to 3 weeks from receipt of application.

Alameda County also offers online ordering through VitalChek. This costs extra for processing and shipping. VitalChek charges about $12.95 for processing plus optional fees for expedited shipping. Regular mail delivery has no extra charge. You can order at the VitalChek California portal.

Who Can Obtain Death Certificates

Anyone can request an informational copy of a death certificate. These copies work for genealogy and family history. They have a legend stamped on them stating they cannot be used to establish identity. No proof of relationship is required for informational copies.

Authorized copies require eligibility. You must be a family member or have a legal reason to obtain the record. Eligible requesters include parents, children, grandparents, grandchildren, siblings, spouses, and domestic partners. Attorneys representing the deceased or the estate can also request authorized copies. Government officials acting in official capacity qualify. Funeral home staff handling the deceased's arrangements are eligible. Executors and court-appointed representatives can get copies.

To get an authorized copy, you need a notarized sworn statement. This document declares under penalty of perjury that you are authorized to receive the record. The sworn statement must be signed in front of a notary public. The notary verifies your identity and witnesses your signature. One sworn statement can cover multiple records in the same order. Law enforcement and government agencies are exempt from the notary requirement.

Information Needed for Requests

To order a death certificate, provide these details:

• Full legal name of the deceased person
• Date of death or approximate year
• Place of death stating Berkeley
• Your relationship to the deceased
• Payment for the certificate fee

Additional information helps locate records faster. Include the deceased person's age at death, birthdate, parents' names, and social security number if available. The more details you provide, the easier it is for staff to find the right record. If you are unsure about the exact date, give your best estimate. The office will search based on what you provide.

Fill out the application completely. Missing information can delay your request. Sign the form. If you need an authorized copy, complete the sworn statement section and get it notarized. Mail or deliver the application with your payment. Keep a copy for your records.

How Long It Takes

Processing times vary by method and which office you use. Berkeley's city office may process in-person requests within a few hours to a day. Mail requests to the city office take about 2 to 3 weeks. Alameda County in-person requests for recent records are usually same-day. Older county records take up to 3 business days. Mail orders to the county take 2 to 3 weeks. Online VitalChek orders take 1 to 6 weeks depending on shipping choice.

Death records become available about 2 weeks after the date of event. Do not try to order a certificate immediately after a death. The local registrar needs time to file the paperwork and enter it into the system. If you order too soon, the record will not be found yet.

Other Cities in Alameda County

Most other cities in Alameda County do not have their own vital records offices. Oakland, Fremont, and Hayward all direct residents to Alameda County for death certificates. Berkeley is unusual in maintaining a city vital records office. This local office provides faster service for recent deaths.