San Diego County Death Records
San Diego County death certificates are kept by two offices. The Office of Vital Records and Statistics handles requests for most people. The Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk also has death records and can provide copies. Both offices serve the public and issue certified copies for legal use or family history. The fee is $26 per copy. You can order online, by mail, or in person. Most requests are processed within a few weeks. The county has death records going back many years. Recent deaths take time to file so you may need to wait before ordering.
San Diego County Quick Facts
- County Seat: San Diego
- Population: 3,286,069
- Main Office: Office of Vital Records and Statistics
- Fee: $26 per copy
Office of Vital Records and Statistics
The Office of Vital Records and Statistics, also called OVRS, is part of the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency. They keep death records for all deaths in San Diego County. The office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. As of June 2025, they moved to a new location at 5530 Overland Avenue, Suite 170 in San Diego. Make sure you use the new address if you visit or mail a request.
The San Diego County death certificates page has details about ordering. You can read about fees, processing times, and the application form. The page explains the difference between authorized and informational copies. It also has contact information and office hours.
Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk Office
The Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk office also provides death certificates. They're located in downtown San Diego. The phone number is (619) 237-0502. You can get death records from them the same way as from OVRS. Some people prefer this office because it's in a different part of the county. The fees and rules are the same at both offices.
The Recorder-Clerk death certificate page explains how to order from their office. They handle requests in person and by mail. The website has downloadable forms and instructions.
How to Order Death Certificates
You can order death certificates three ways. Online ordering is done through VitalChek. That's a third-party website that charges extra fees. You fill out a form, pay with a credit card, and they process the request. The certificate is mailed to you. The VitalChek fee is $12.95 on top of the county fee. Shipping is extra too. Regular mail is free but UPS express costs $19.
In-person requests are handled at either office. Walk in during business hours with your ID and payment. Fill out an application. The staff can help if you have questions. If the record is easy to find, you might get it the same day. Older records or busy times may mean you have to come back or wait for it to be mailed.
Mail orders work for people who don't want to use the internet or can't visit in person. Download the application from the 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. Mail it to the address on the form. Processing takes a few weeks. They mail the certificate back when it's ready.
Fees and Costs
Each death certificate costs $26. That's the state fee as of January 2026. It went up by $2 from the old price. The fee is the same no matter how you order or which office you use. 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 don't get your money back. They give you a certificate that says no record was found.
VitalChek adds $12.95 for online processing. They also charge for shipping unless you choose regular mail. If you want UPS express, that's $19 more. The total cost for an online order with express shipping is over $50. In-person or mail orders cost just the base $26 if you don't need rush service.
Authorized vs Informational Copies
San Diego County issues two types of death certificates. An authorized certified copy can be used for legal and financial matters. Insurance companies, banks, Social Security, and courts require this type. An informational certified copy is for genealogy and family history. It has all the same information but it's stamped to show it can't be used to establish identity. The fee is the same for both types.
To get an authorized copy, you must be a close family member or legal representative. Parents, children, siblings, spouses, and domestic partners qualify. Grandparents and grandchildren can get them too. Lawyers, conservators, and court-appointed representatives have the right. Law enforcement and government agencies can request them for official business. Everyone else gets the informational copy.
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. Notary services are available at many banks, UPS stores, and government offices. There's usually a small fee for the notary stamp.
What Information You Need
The application asks for the full name of the deceased. Use their legal name as shown 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 place of death should be in San Diego County. If it was somewhere else, you have to order from that county. Your own name, address, and phone number go on the form. So does your relationship to the person who died.
You need to include a copy of your photo ID. A driver's license or state ID works. Passports are fine too. For mail orders, make a photocopy and include it with the application. For in-person requests, bring the original and they'll make a copy. Online orders through VitalChek ask you to upload a scan or photo of your ID.
Processing Times
In-person requests can be done the same day if the record is in the system and not too old. Busy days or complex searches may take longer. The staff will tell you when to come back or if they'll mail it. Mail orders usually take three to four weeks. That includes the time for your request to get there, be processed, and mailed back. Online orders through VitalChek are often faster, usually two to three weeks.
Very recent deaths may not be available yet. It takes time for the doctor, funeral home, and medical examiner to complete the paperwork. The county then has to review it and file it. Wait at least a month after the date of death before you order. If you're not sure if it's been filed, call OVRS at (619) 692-5733. They can check without charging you a fee.
Special Note About Veterans
The Veterans Administration gets free death certificates. If you need a copy to send to the VA for benefits, tell the clerk. They'll send it directly to the VA at no charge. This is a special exception to the fee requirement. It only applies to copies going to the VA. Family members still pay the regular fee for their own copies.
Historical Death Records
San Diego 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 date. For very old records, you have to order from San Diego 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 more time than looking up recent records in the computer.
Why People Need Death Certificates
Life insurance companies need death certificates before they pay benefits. Social Security requires them to stop payments and process survivor benefits. Banks need them to close accounts or release funds to the estate. Probate courts need them to settle estates. Real estate transactions need them if the owner died. Some states require them to transfer car titles. Pension funds and retirement accounts need proof of death too.
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 dates. The informational copy is fine for research purposes. You only need the authorized copy for legal and financial work.
Privacy and Access Rules
California law controls who can get authorized copies of death records. The rules exist to 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.
Contact Information
Office of Vital Records and Statistics: (619) 692-5733. Address: 5530 Overland Avenue, Suite 170, San Diego, CA 92123. Hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Mailing address: P.O. Box 121750, San Diego, CA 92112-1750.
Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk: (619) 237-0502. This office is in downtown San Diego and handles death records too. Check their website for the address and hours.