How to Get a Copy of a Death Certificate from Alameda County

When there is a death involving a suspicious or violent circumstance, the state of California requires an investigation of the incident by the county coroner, also known as a medical examiner. That means if your loved one died from an accident within the borders of Alameda County, their death, as well as their remains, will need to be examined by the Coroner’s Bureau located at:

2901 Peralta Oaks Ct

Oakland, California 94605

An investigation by the coroner can take around several weeks to a few months, based on the circumstances surrounding the accident. While an investigation is pending, you can contact the Coroner’s Bureau at (510) 382-3000 with any questions or concerns.

Once the county coroner determines the cause of death, they will issue an official death certificate. However, the process of getting an Alameda County accident death certificate can be quite complicated, and many family members struggle to obtain this essential document. Many of the people who contact us are in need of answers to important questions, such as:

• How do I get a copy of a death certificate from Alameda County coroner’s office?

• Can a family member get a copy of a death certificate from Alameda County?

• Can I get a death certificate for free from Alameda County?

This article will go over the process of requesting a death certificate, along with information related to your rights and legal options. If you need guidance from a lawyer with experience in accidental deaths and wrongful death compensation claims, don’t hesitate to give us a call.

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How to Get a Certified Copy of a Death Certificate from Alameda County 

If you’d like to obtain a certified copy of a death certificate in person, you will need to visit the Alameda County Vital Records Office at 1106 Madison Street, Oakland, CA (also known as the Clerk-Recorder’s Office). You can check their office hours by visiting the county of Alameda’s website at

. The site also explains the process that will take place once you request the certificate, along with payment methods and other important instructions.

In most cases, death certificates from 1960 to present day can be located within the same day, though it can take up to 3 days to find your loved one’s records in the county’s system. If the death certificate cannot be found within the County Clerk’s records, a request will be sent to the California Department of Public Health – Vital Records. At that point, it can take up to 2 months to locate and process the requested death certificate.

Ordering an Alameda County Death Certificate by Mail

If it’s not possible for you to visit the Clerk-Recorder’s Office in person, you can order a death certificate from Alameda County by mail. You’ll need to print the application from the county website and sign it in front of a notary public, as you must have a notary stamp to confirm your identity. Afterwards, you can mail the application to the following address along with a check or money order for the applicable fee:

Alameda County Clerk-Recorder’s Office
1106 Madison Street
Oakland, CA 94607

What is the Cost to Get a Copy of a Death Certificate from Alameda County?

It’s important to check the cost of a death certificate ahead of time, which you can do by accessing the county website’s fee schedule or by calling the County Clerk at 1-888-280-7708. Currently, the fee for a certified copy of a death certificate is $26.00, which can be paid by check, cash, or debit/credit card if you are visiting the office in person. As previously mentioned, only checks or money orders will be accepted for mail-in requests.

How to Order a Copy of a Death Certificate Online from Alameda County 

The county website also provides instructions if you’re interested in placing an online order for an Alameda County death certificate after an accident. There are questions you’ll need to answer in order to the system to locate the certificate, such as your relation to the decedent and your loved one’s name and date of death. This will allow you to place an order immediately, but the turnaround time for online orders can be as long as 3 weeks. Most county systems provide the option of expedited delivery, but these fees can be quite costly, so you’ll have to weigh the pros and cons of whether it’s worth it to order a certified copy of a death certificate online.

How Long Does it Take to Get a Death Certificate from Alameda County?

It takes around 4 to 12 weeks to receive a death certificate from Alameda County if you are placing an order by mail. The timeline should be quicker if the death certificate is with the Alameda County Vital Records Office. If, on the other hand, the record is with the state vital records office, it may take 2 or more months before you receive the requested documents. Online order for death certificates can take up to 20 days unless you pay for expedited shipping, such as next-day delivery by UPS or FedEx.

We know that the processing times can be frustrating to deal with when you’re trying to settle your loved one’s affairs and move forward with your life. These wait times are even longer if you are having trouble with the paperwork or legal actions that are necessary to release certain assets from your loved one’s estate. We have lawyers that can help you with these issues, so don’t hesitate to give us a call.

Obtaining a Death certificate from the Funeral Director

If you’ve made arrangements to bury or cremate your loved one, the coroner’s office would have released a pending death certificate to the funeral director, which will allow them to claim the decedent’s remains. You can ask for a copy of this certificate, but please be aware that this document has very limited uses.

The biggest issue is that these certificates will not have an official cause of death, as that is still being investigated by the Alameda County Coroner’s Office. This should be enough to file a probate application with the court if you’re applying to be the executor of the estate. However, you must have an official cause of death to claim life insurance benefits, pension funds, and other forms of payment that’s been left to you or the estate. In addition, you will need to establish a cause of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit against any parties that caused or contributed to the decedent’s accident.

We know how tough it can be when you’re faced with an unexpected dilemma, like covering the costs associated with your family member’s passing. So, what can you do when you need help paying for a certified copy of a death certificate?

Is There a Way to Get a Free Death Certificate from Alameda County?

Unfortunately, there is no program available through the state or county for those that struggling to pay for copies of a death certificate from Alameda County. However, we may have a solution for you here at Normandie Law Firm based on the circumstances of your loved one’s death. In some cases, our law firm may be able to get the death certificate for free as part of a legal action against the negligent individual or entity. Generally, these actions involve instances of wrongful death, such as a car accident that was caused by another driver or a slip and fall at a store.

If you are in need of a free death certificate, there’s nothing to lose by calling our office and seeing if we can possibly get it for free from the California or Alameda County Vital Records Office.

Can I Apply for a Loan to Pay for Certified Copies of a Death Certificate?

How many death certificates you will need depends on the number of assets you will need to settle, and which institutions require a copy of the death certificate that’s certified by a county or state agency. Some families may need 10 or more death certificates, which can be quite costly considering that each copy is $26. This is not an insignificant sum when you have to pay for funeral costs, medical bills, and other expenses associated with your family member’s accident.

One option that you may have considered is private loans, which are certainly available to you from many different companies. However, you should keep in mind that interest rates are typically high for these loans – as much as 60% when all is said and done. This is particularly true if you sign on with a lawsuit funding company, which will advance you money based on a projected settlement from a wrongful death lawsuit. They do this because they know how much they will make back from the loan on you receive your settlement. With interest rates as high as they are, you stand to lose a significant chunk of your settlement if you take out one of these loans.

That’s not to say that these companies are wrong for everyone. But you should consider all your available options before making such a monumental decision. That’s why we invite you to meet with us for a free case review. We may have solutions that will put you in a much better situation financially, while ensuring that you and your family receive maximum payment from a wrongful death compensation claim.

Speak to a Lawyer Experienced in Cases of Accidental Death

Obtaining a copy of a death certificate after an accident should be a straightforward process. But as we can attest from the many clients we’ve helped over the years, it can be an uphill battle to get hold of the records you need to settle your loved one’s affairs and distribute their assets. Aside from the financial issues, surviving family members and spouses need justice if the decedent was killed due to an act of misconduct or negligence. This is impossible to achieve if you are unable to order a copy of a death certificate from Alameda County after an accident.

Guidance from a wrongful death lawyer is critical in these cases, but we know how worried you are about the cost of hiring an experienced law firm. With the Zero Fee Guarantee, you are not responsible for any legal fees, which are billed to the party that’s responsible for your loved one’s death. We get paid at the same time you receive compensation from a wrongful death lawsuit; otherwise, we make nothing at all.

Please take this opportunity to contact us and schedule a free case evaluation with one of our attorneys. Our lawyers can take care of every aspect of your case, from ordering certified copies of the death certificate to negotiating the highest possible settlement for you and your family members. Call Normandie Law Firm if you’re ready to learn more about your rights and legal options.