How to Get a Death Certificate in California for Free

The only established way to get a death certificate in California for free is the veterans’ fee exemption under Government Code Section 6107, which waives the charge on a certified copy when that copy will be used to file a claim for benefits with the Veterans Administration.¹²³ So the question of “free” really comes down to whether your copy is going to the VA.

What the Veterans’ Exemption Covers

Section 6107 requires certified copies of public records, including death certificates, to be issued at no charge when the copy is needed to support a VA benefits claim.¹ The certificate issued under this exemption carries a notation stating it was produced free of charge for use in a veterans’ benefits claim.⁴

One point catches families off guard: the exemption does not cover Social Security claims or other civilian benefits, even when the deceased was a veteran.⁴ It also doesn’t cover copies you plan to give to a bank, an insurer, a probate court, or a title company. The free copy has to be going to the VA or a state veterans’ agency. If you need copies for multiple purposes, only the one tied to the VA claim comes free; the rest are charged at the regular fee.

Who Can Request the Fee-Exempt Copy

A family member or legal representative of the deceased can apply, and so can the person named on the record for records other than a death certificate. You’ll need valid photo identification, and family members and representatives must also show documentation of the relationship.

Bring any discharge papers or military service records you have. Staff may ask you to identify the specific federal or state agency receiving the claim and the type of benefit being sought, and vague answers on that point are one of the more common reasons an exemption request gets denied.

How to Apply

The exemption uses the same death certificate application everyone else fills out, plus a separate affidavit declaring under penalty of perjury that the copy will be used for a VA benefits claim.⁴ At the state level, that means Form VS 112 for the application and Form VS 20 as the notarized sworn statement.² Counties use their own application forms.

Plan on assembling the following before you file:

The completed application, with the deceased’s full legal name, date of death, place of death, and date of birth.
Your government-issued photo ID (driver’s license, state ID, or passport).
The sworn statement declaring your authority to receive the record. For mail-in state requests, that’s a notarized VS 20.²
Proof of your relationship to the deceased, or, if you’re an executor or administrator, a copy of the court order or letters testamentary. Attorneys should include documentation of their representation.
The separate VA fee-exemption affidavit, identifying the VA or state veterans’ agency, the benefit being claimed, and your relationship to the deceased.⁴

Because you’re claiming the exemption, submit the completed affidavit in place of payment. If you mail your request, use certified mail with a return receipt and keep photocopies of everything you send. Incomplete applications are the most common cause of delay.

State Office or County Recorder

You have two places to file: the California Department of Public Health’s Vital Records office, or the county recorder where the death was registered.

CDPH holds records for every death registered in California since July 1905, and accepts mail-in requests using Form VS 112.³² Processing times vary, so if you’re working against a VA filing deadline, build in extra time.

County recorders issue death certificates for deaths registered in their jurisdiction, and in-person visits are often faster; some counties can process the request the same day.³⁵ Some counties want the application completed online before you arrive, so check the office’s website first.

Will the Free Copy Work Where You Need It?

California issues two types of certified death certificates, and the distinction matters. An authorized certified copy establishes the identity of the deceased and is the version banks, courts, and insurance companies require. An informational certified copy contains the same data but carries the legend “Informational, Not a Valid Document to Establish Identity” and cannot be used for legal or financial transactions.⁶

An authorized copy is limited to specific requesters:

Close family: a parent, spouse, domestic partner, child, grandparent, grandchild, or sibling of the deceased.
Estate representatives, such as an executor or administrator, or anyone appointed by a court to act on behalf of the estate, with a copy of the court order or letters testamentary.
An attorney representing the deceased or the estate.
Agents or employees of a funeral establishment acting on behalf of the next of kin.
Law enforcement or other government agencies conducting official business.

Anyone outside those categories can still request an informational copy.⁶ Before you file, confirm you fall within the eligible list, or your request will be issued as the informational version and won’t serve for estate settlement or insurance.

Other Fee Waivers People Ask About

Assembly Bill 1733, effective July 1, 2015, waives vital records fees for people experiencing homelessness. It applies only to birth certificates and does not cover death certificates.⁷ No comparable statewide statute clearly extends a blanket death certificate fee waiver to public assistance recipients or people who are homeless. Some county human services agencies have discretionary funds for situations like this, but availability varies and there’s no guarantee; a local legal aid organization can help you check what’s available in your county.

If Your Exemption Request Is Denied

Most denials come down to a missing signature, an unsigned sworn statement, or insufficient proof that you’re authorized to receive the record. The notice you receive should explain what went wrong, and the fix is usually resubmitting with the missing documents. For the veterans’ exemption specifically, look at your affidavit: the VA or state veterans’ agency receiving the claim and the type of benefit being sought both need to be spelled out clearly. Vague language there is a frequent reason exemption requests fail.

If you believe the denial is wrong on the substance (for example, you’re a surviving spouse and were told you don’t qualify for an authorized copy), contact the issuing office and ask to speak with a supervisor. Put your explanation in writing and attach any supporting documents that weren’t in your first submission. Keep copies of all correspondence, submitted forms, and denial notices. If informal resolution doesn’t work, a community legal aid organization can help you escalate.

1
San Mateo County Health System. Application for Certified Copy of a Fee Exempt VA Certified Certificate
2
California Department of Public Health. VS 112 – How to Obtain a Certified Copy of a Death Record
3
California Department of Public Health. Vital Records Obtaining Certified Copies of Death Records
4
Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk. Application for Death Record
5
OC Clerk Recorder Department. Vital Records
6
California Department of Public Health. Authorized Copy vs. Informational Copy
7
California Department of Public Health. Assembly Bill (AB) 1733