Access Los Angeles County Death Records
Los Angeles County death index files hold records for millions of people who died in the county since 1892. The Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk office keeps these vital records and provides certified copies to the public. You can request death certificates for legal matters, insurance claims, estate settlement, and family history research. The county has one of the largest death record collections in California. Most requests can be handled online, by mail, or in person at the main office in Norwalk. Processing times vary based on how you order and how old the record is. Recent deaths take longer to file than older ones.
Los Angeles County Quick Facts
- County Seat: Los Angeles
- Population: 9,861,224
- Records Available: 1892 to present
- Main Office: Norwalk
Types of Death Certificates Available
Los Angeles County issues two types of death certificates. An authorized certified copy can be used for all legal purposes. It proves identity and is required by insurance companies, banks, Social Security, and courts. An informational certified copy is for genealogy and family history. It has the same information but is stamped to show it cannot be used to establish identity. The informational version is easier to get because you don't need to prove your relationship to the person who died.
To get an authorized copy, you must be a close family member or legal representative. Parents, children, siblings, spouses, grandparents, and grandchildren all qualify. Lawyers representing the estate can get authorized copies. Law enforcement and government agencies can too. Funeral homes that served the family have access rights. Everyone else gets the informational copy only.
The Los Angeles County vital records request page explains the rules for ordering death certificates. You can read about the fees, processing times, and application requirements. The page also links to the online ordering system and downloadable forms for mail requests.
How to Order Death Certificates
You have three main ways to order death certificates from Los Angeles County. The online portal is the fastest and most convenient for many people. You fill out a form on the county website, pay with a credit card, and get the certificate by mail. The system is available 24 hours a day. You can also use VitalChek, a third-party vendor that charges extra fees for processing and shipping.
In-person requests are handled at the main office in Norwalk. The address is 12400 Imperial Highway. Walk in during business hours with your ID and payment. The staff can help you fill out the application. If the record is in the system, you might get it the same day. Older records may take a few days. You can wait or come back later to pick it up.
Mail orders work for people who live far away or prefer not to use the internet. Download the application form from the county website or call to request one. Fill it out completely and include a copy of your photo ID. Send a check or money order for the fee. Mail it to the address on the form. Processing takes about three to four weeks from the time they receive your request. They mail the certificate back to you when it's ready.
The Los Angeles County online portal lets you order birth, death, and marriage records from home. The system asks for the name, date, and place of the event. You upload a copy of your ID. Payment is by credit card. Most orders are processed within 20 business days.
Fees and Processing Times
Each death certificate costs $23 in Los Angeles County. That's the county fee as of January 2026. If you use VitalChek, they add a $9 processing fee. Shipping can cost extra if you want express delivery. Regular mail is included in the VitalChek fee. The county's own online portal charges the base fee plus a smaller service charge.
Records are not available for at least 90 days after the date of death. It takes time for the hospital, doctor, or medical examiner to complete the death certificate. Then the county has to review it and enter it into the database. If you try to order before 90 days, they may tell you to wait. Call the office if you're not sure whether the record has been filed yet.
Online orders through the county portal are processed within 20 working days. Mail orders can take four to six weeks depending on mail speed and workload. In-person requests are often done the same day for recent records. Records from before 1960 may take longer because they're stored in a different format. The staff has to pull them from archives.
What Information You Need to Provide
The application asks for the full name of the person who died. Use their legal name as it appears on official documents. The date of death is important. If you don't know the exact date, give the month and year or just the year. The more specific you are, the faster they can search. You also need to know the place of death. It should be somewhere in Los Angeles County. If it was in a different county, you have to order from that county instead.
You must show your relationship to the deceased if you want an authorized copy. Fill out that section of the form carefully. You need to provide your own name, address, and contact information too. A phone number and email help in case they need to reach you with questions. If you're ordering for someone else, explain that and give their contact info as well.
Include a copy of your photo ID with every request. A driver's license or state ID card works. Passports are fine too. For authorized copies, you need a notarized sworn statement. The application form has a section for this. You sign it in front of a notary public who stamps and signs it. That proves you swore under penalty of perjury that you're entitled to the record. Without the notary, you only get the informational copy.
Special Programs and Fee Waivers
Los Angeles County offers free vital records to residents affected by wildfires. If you lost your home or important documents in a fire, you can get replacement death certificates at no cost. Contact the Registrar-Recorder office and explain your situation. They'll tell you what proof you need to show. This program helps people rebuild their lives after a disaster.
Historical Death Records in Los Angeles County
The county has death records going back to 1892. That's one of the longest collections in California. Records before 1905 are only available from the county because the state didn't collect vital records until July 1905. If you need a death certificate from the 1800s or early 1900s, Los Angeles County is your only source. The older files may be on microfilm or in bound volumes. The staff can search them but it takes more time than searching the digital database.
Some very old records have faded ink or missing pages. The county preserves them as best they can but paper deteriorates over time. If a record is damaged, the clerk will tell you what information is still readable. They can make a copy of whatever exists. For genealogy purposes, even a partial record can be useful.
Why People Need Death Certificates
Life insurance companies require death certificates before they pay benefits. Social Security needs proof of death to stop payments and process survivor benefits. Banks and credit unions need them to close accounts or release funds to the estate. Real estate transactions can't go forward without proof that the owner died. Probate courts need certified copies to open estates and distribute assets. Some states require them to transfer vehicle titles.
Genealogy researchers use death certificates to confirm family relationships and dates. The certificates show where the person was born, who their parents were, and what they did for a living. That information helps build family trees. The informational copy works fine for research. You don't need the authorized version unless you're settling legal or financial matters.
Privacy and Access Laws
California Health and Safety Code Section 103526 defines who can get authorized copies of death records. The law exists to protect privacy and prevent identity theft. Only certain people have the right to get the version that can be used for legal purposes. Everyone else can still get the informational copy, which has all the same facts but can't be used to prove identity or claim benefits.
The clerk's office checks your ID and relationship before releasing an authorized copy. If you claim to be a family member, they may ask for documents that prove it. A birth certificate can show you're the child of the deceased. A marriage certificate shows you're the spouse. Lawyers need a letter showing they represent the estate or family. These checks prevent fraud and protect the rights of the deceased and their family.
Contact Information
The main office for vital records is at 12400 Imperial Highway in Norwalk. The mailing address is P.O. Box 489, Norwalk, CA 90651-0489. Phone numbers are (562) 462-2137 and toll-free (800) 201-8999. Hours are Monday through Friday during regular business hours. Check the Registrar-Recorder website for current hours and holiday closures. You can also find forms and instructions there.
Cities in Los Angeles County
Los Angeles County includes many large cities. Death certificates for people who died in any of these cities are handled by the county office in Norwalk, not by the cities themselves.