San Benito County Death Records

San Benito County maintains death records for deaths that occurred in the county. The Clerk-Recorder-Elections office handles these vital records. You can order certified copies for legal needs and genealogy. Records date back many years. Request them online, by mail, or in person. Processing times depend on your method. Recent deaths need time before certificates are ready.

Certificate Options

California issues two forms of death certificates. An authorized certified copy works for legal and financial use. Banks need it. Insurance companies require it. Courts use it. This version proves identity. An informational certified copy has the same data but cannot establish identity. Use it for genealogy but not for legal or money matters.

Only specific people can get authorized copies. Family members qualify including parents, children, spouses, siblings, grandparents, and grandchildren. Estate representatives have access. Lawyers for the family or estate can get them. Government workers on duty can request them. Funeral homes that handled the service qualify. Others receive informational copies only.

Authorized copies need a notarized sworn statement. Sign under penalty of perjury. A notary public witnesses and stamps it. Without notarization, you get the informational copy. This helps prevent fraud.

The San Benito County vital records page provides information about ordering death certificates. You can find forms, fees, and instructions.

In-Person Service

Visit the Clerk-Recorder-Elections office in Hollister during business hours. Bring photo ID and payment. Fill out an application. Staff will search for the record. Recent files may be ready the same day. Older records take longer. You'll be told when to return if needed.

In-person service works well for local residents. You can ask questions right away. If your application has errors, staff tells you how to fix them. This saves time compared to mail. Pay with cash, check, or card depending on office policy.

Mail Requests

Get the application from the San Benito County website or call to request one. Fill out all sections. Use the deceased's full legal name. Give the death date or at least the year. Note the place of death. It must be in San Benito County. Attach a copy of your ID. For an authorized copy, get the sworn statement notarized.

Include a check or money order for the fee. Make it payable to San Benito County. Don't mail cash. Send everything to the address on the form. Processing takes several weeks. The certificate arrives by mail. If the record doesn't exist, you get a letter and the fee is kept.

Online Ordering

VitalChek processes online orders for San Benito County. Visit their site and select California, then San Benito County. Enter death details. Upload an ID photo. Choose the copy type. Pay with credit card. VitalChek charges a processing fee plus the county fee. Shipping costs extra for rush service. Standard mail is included. Online ordering is convenient but costs more than other methods.

Fees

The death certificate fee is $26 per copy as of January 2026. California law sets this. It increased by $2 under Assembly Bill 64. Each copy costs the same. Multiple copies mean paying for each one. No bulk discount exists. Authorized and informational copies have the same price. If the search finds no record, the fee is not returned.

Processing Time

Deaths must be registered within eight days in California. But the certificate takes longer to become available. Doctors or medical examiners complete paperwork. The county reviews and files it. This takes two to four weeks or more after death. In-person requests are often done same day for recent records. Mail orders take three to six weeks total. Online orders through VitalChek typically arrive within two to four weeks.

Required Information

Write the deceased's full legal name. Don't use nicknames. Give the death date. If unknown, provide the year or month and year. The place of death must be in San Benito County. Additional details help find the record. Include birthdate and parents' names if known. You must also give your own name, address, phone, and email. State your relationship to the deceased. This determines which copy type you receive.

Historical Records

San Benito County has records from the 1800s. Not all old files survived. What remains helps genealogists. Before July 1905, only counties kept vital records. Old records may be handwritten with faded ink. The clerk copies what is readable. Partial information is better than none. The California State Archives has microfilm of some county records.

Common Uses

Life insurance needs death certificates to pay. Banks use them to close accounts. Social Security needs them for survivor benefits. Pension plans require them. Probate courts need certified copies. Real estate cannot be transferred without them. Vehicle titles need them too. The authorized version is required for legal and financial matters. For genealogy, death certificates list parents' names and birthplaces. They show occupation and residence. Informational copies work for research.

Privacy Laws

California Health and Safety Code Section 103526 controls access to authorized copies. This prevents fraud. Close family and legal representatives get access. Others receive informational copies. The clerk checks ID and documents.

Contact Information

The San Benito County Clerk-Recorder-Elections office is in Hollister. Call for hours and location. The website has forms and fees. You can email with questions.

Nearby Counties

• Monterey County
• Santa Clara County
• Merced County