Purchase a Death Certificate
Why Do I Need a Death Certificate?
You may need a death certificate to claim survivor's pension benefits, collect life insurance, notify social security, or settle an estate.
Certificates Available Four to Six Weeks after Death
Recent death records are usually available from this office four weeks after the event.
Information You'll Need
For the person listed on the certificate, you'll need to know:
- first and last names
- date of death
- city of death
- gender
Make sure you have accurate information for the person listed on the death certificate and be certain that the person died in the County of Santa Clara.
The certificate fee pays for the record search and you'll be charged the fee even if no record is found.
You'll need to provide your:
- name
- address
- phone number
- relationship to the person listed on the certificate
- government-issued id (driver's license, passport, permanent resident card)
You may designate another person to purchase a certified copy of an Authorized death certificate. If that person is not an authorized party, please complete the mail-in application form, have it notarized, and add the name of the person picking up the certificate to the form under “Name of Person Receiving Copies”.
Two Types of Certificates: Authorized and Informational
Certified Authorized Copy
A Certified Authorized Copy provides proof of death.
To purchase an Authorized death certificate, you need to be related to the deceased in one of the following ways:
- parent
- child
- grandparent
- grandchild
- sibling
- spouse or domestic partner
- legal guardian
For official business, governmental agencies and legal representatives can request a copy of a death certificate.
When you request a Certified Authorized Copy by mail or online, state your relationship to the person listed on the death certificate and sign that statement with a notary public present.
Certified Informational Copy
A Certified Informational Copy may be used as proof of death. However, please verify with the requesting agency to determine if this kind of copy meets their requirements.
If you don’t have a direct relationship to the person listed on the certificate, you can purchase an informational death certificate.
On a Certified Informational copy, signatures are concealed and the words, “Informational, not a valid document to establish identity” are printed across the face of the certificate.
The request form for this type of certificate does not need to be notarized.
Get a Death Certificate in Person, by Mail, or Online
In-Person
Cost
|
Cash or check |
$24.00 |
|
Credit or debit card |
$24.00 |
Time
Order usually processed while you wait
To Do
You can visit us in person but may experience wait times. For the most efficient and least amount of wait time, we suggest the convenience of booking an appointment to have a set time for your service.
By Mail
Cost
|
Check or Money Order |
$24.00 |
Time
3–4 weeks to process.
(may vary due to volume of requests)
To Do
- Download and fill out an order form. 3
- Get the form notarized.4
- Prepare a return envelope (not required):
- Regular mail: self-addressed, stamped standard-letter envelope
- Expedited mail: pre-addressed, pre-paid Airbill for Express Mail, FedEx, or UPS
- Mail the form, payment, and return envelope to the Clerk Recorder’s Office.
Online
Cost
|
Credit or debit card |
$24.00 |
Time
3–4 weeks to process.
(may vary due to volume of requests)
To Do
- Fill out VitalChek’s online form.
VitalChek is the only authorized online service for Santa Clara County death certificates.
- Submit your payment online.
- Print VitalChek’s form and get it notarized.4
-
Fax or email the notarized form to the Clerk-Recorder's Office.
Your credit card will not be charged until the Clerk-Recorder’s Office receives the notarized form.
Purchase Details
- $2.50 debit/credit-card convenience fee
-
You can send someone who is not an authorized party to purchase your Authorized death certificate—first complete the mail-in application form, have it notarized, and add the name of the person picking up the certificate to the form under “Name of Person Receiving Copies.”
- If you are unable to download the form, please call (408) 299-5688 and we will mail or fax you a form.
- Only Certified Authorized death certificates purchased by mail or online require a notarized form.
- Vitalchek’s non-refundable $7.00 online-purchase convenience fee. Any additional charges regarding shipping, does not result in expedited service for faster delivery.
A death certificate records:
- the deceased’s full name and gender
- the cause, time, date, and location of death
The Clerk-Recorder maintains death certificates for all the people who die in the County of Santa Clara.
The Clerk-Recorder's death certificates extend back to 1873.
Vital Records' Location and Hours
Clerk-Recorder’s Office
110 West Tasman Drive, First Floor
San Jose, CA 95134
Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
(Office is closed on County holidays)