San Bernardino County Death Records Lookup
San Bernardino County death records go back over 100 years. The Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk office keeps all death certificates for events in San Bernardino County. You can get certified copies for legal work or family research. The county only has records for deaths that happened within San Bernardino County boundaries. If the death was elsewhere, you need to contact that county. Most people order by mail, online, or in person at the main office. The fee is $26 per copy. Processing times range from same day for walk-ins to a few weeks for mail orders. Recent deaths take 30 to 60 days to file so you may need to wait before the record is available.
San Bernardino County Quick Facts
- County Seat: San Bernardino
- Population: 2,194,710
- Wait for Records: 30-60 days after death
- Main Office: 222 West Hospitality Lane
How Death Records Are Handled
The San Bernardino County Department of Public Health registers all deaths in the county. They collect the paperwork from doctors, funeral homes, and medical examiners. Then they file it with the state. After 30 to 60 days, the Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk office gets copies and makes them available to the public. If you need a death certificate sooner than that, you can try calling the Department of Public Health at (909) 381-8990 or toll-free (800) 782-4264. They may be able to help if it's urgent.
The San Bernardino County vital records page explains how to get birth, death, and marriage certificates. It lists the fees that went into effect in January 2026. The page has links to forms and contact information. You can read about the wait period and processing times.
Ordering Death Certificates
You have three ways to order. In person is the fastest if you can visit the office. The main location is at 222 West Hospitality Lane in San Bernardino. Walk in with your ID and payment. Fill out an application. If the record is in the system, you might get it the same day. Older records or busy times may mean you wait or come back. The staff can tell you how long it will take.
Mail orders work for people who live far away. Download the application form from the county website or call and ask for one. Fill it out and sign it. Include a copy of your photo ID. Send a check or money order for $26 made out to San Bernardino County. Mail it to the address on the form. Processing takes three to four weeks. They send the certificate back by regular mail unless you pay extra for faster shipping.
Online ordering is available through third-party vendors like VitalChek. They charge extra fees for the convenience. You fill out a form on their website, pay with a credit card, and they handle the request. The certificate is mailed to you. VitalChek adds a processing fee and may charge for shipping. Compare the total cost before you order. Some people prefer online ordering because it's faster than regular mail.
Fees and Payment
Each death certificate costs $26 as of January 2026. That's a $2 increase from the old fee. The price is set by state law. San Bernardino County charges the same as all other California counties. If you need multiple copies of the same record, you pay $26 for each one. The fee is non-refundable. If they search and don't find the record, you still pay. They give you a certificate that says no record was found.
You can pay with cash, check, or money order in person. Mail orders require a check or money order. Don't send cash in the mail. Online orders through VitalChek use credit cards. Keep your receipt or confirmation number in case you need to follow up.
Wait Period for Recent Deaths
San Bernardino County receives death certificates 30 to 60 days after the event. That's longer than some other counties. The delay happens because the paperwork has to go through the Department of Public Health first. Then it's sent to the Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk office. If you need a certificate before that wait period is over, contact the Department of Public Health. They may be able to provide it if the record has been filed but not yet transferred.
Don't try to order a death certificate right after someone dies. You'll just be told to wait. Call the clerk's office after 60 days to see if the record is ready. They can check their system without charging you a fee. If it's not ready, they'll tell you when to try again.
Types of Certified Copies
An authorized certified copy can be used for all legal purposes. Insurance companies, banks, Social Security, and courts require this type. An informational certified copy is for genealogy and family history. It's stamped to show it can't be used to establish identity. The fee is the same for both. The difference is who can get them and what they can be used for.
To get an authorized copy, you must be a close family member or legal representative. Parents, children, siblings, spouses, domestic partners, grandparents, and grandchildren all qualify. Lawyers, conservators, and court-appointed agents can get them. Law enforcement and government workers can too. Everyone else gets the informational copy.
Notarized Sworn Statement
For authorized copies, you need a notarized form. The application has a section where you sign under penalty of perjury. You have to do this in front of a notary public. The notary checks your ID and watches you sign. Then they stamp and sign the form. That proves you swore you're entitled to the record. Without the notary, you only get the informational copy.
Notary services are available at banks, UPS stores, and government offices. There's usually a small fee for the stamp, often around $10 to $15. Bring the completed application and your ID to the notary. Don't sign it until the notary tells you to. They have to watch you sign for it to be valid.
What Information to Include
The application asks for the full name of the deceased. First, middle, and last names help. The date of death is important. If you don't know the exact date, give the month and year or just the year. The place of death should be in San Bernardino County. If it was somewhere else, you're ordering from the wrong county. Your own name, address, and phone number go on the form. So does your relationship to the person who died.
Include a copy of your photo ID. A driver's license or state ID card works best. For mail orders, make a photocopy and include it. For in-person requests, bring the original and they'll copy it. The more detail you provide, the easier it is for them to find the record. Nicknames or alternate spellings can help if the person used different names.
Processing Times
In-person requests can be done the same day for recent records if the office isn't busy. Older records may take a few days to pull from storage. Mail orders take three to four weeks from the time they receive your request. Online orders through VitalChek are usually faster, often two to three weeks. If you need it urgently, ask about expedited service. That costs more but it gets you the certificate sooner.
Uses for Death Certificates
Life insurance companies need death certificates to pay benefits. Social Security requires them to stop payments and process survivor claims. Banks need them to close accounts or release funds to the estate. Probate courts need them to settle estates and distribute assets. Real estate transactions need them if the owner died. Some states require them to transfer vehicle titles. Pension funds and retirement accounts need proof of death.
Genealogy researchers use death certificates to build family trees. The certificates show where the person was born, who their parents were, and what they did for a living. That information helps confirm relationships and fill in missing dates. The informational copy is fine for this purpose. You only need the authorized copy for legal and financial matters.
Privacy and Access Laws
California law limits who can get authorized copies of death records. The rules protect privacy and prevent fraud. Only certain people have the right to get the version that works for legal purposes. The clerk checks your ID and relationship before releasing an authorized copy. If you claim to be family, they may ask for proof like a birth certificate or marriage certificate.
Historical Records
San Bernardino County has death records going back to the 1800s. Records before July 1905 are only at the county level because the state didn't collect vital records before that. For very old records, you must order from San Bernardino County. The state office won't have them. Some older files may be on microfilm or in bound volumes. The staff can search them but it takes longer than looking up recent records in the computer.
Contact Information
Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk office: 909-387-8306. Address: 222 West Hospitality Lane, San Bernardino, CA 92415. Department of Public Health (for records under 60 days): (909) 381-8990 or (800) 782-4264. Hours are Monday through Friday during regular business hours. Check the county website for holiday closures and updated contact information.