How to get a Copy of a Death Certificate from Stanislaus County

In Stanislaus County, “homicide, suicide and unexpected deaths” as defined by California Government Code section 27491 must be investigated by the County Coroner before a cause of death is determined. The investigation is conducted at the Stanislaus County Coroner’s Facility, which is located at 921 Oakdale Rd, Modesto, CA 95355. This can be a very stressful time for loved ones, as they wait to receive a final ruling on how the decedent passed away. The length of a coroner’s investigation depends on many different factors, but the process can take up to several months. If there are any questions or concerns in the meantime, family members can contact the Coroner’s Office at 209-567-4480.

Once the coroner issues a cause of death, loved ones are understandably eager to get a copy of a death certificate from the Stanislaus County coroner’s office. This, however, is not the office you would contact for your own copy of the death certificate. These records are available at the Vital Records department of the Stanislaus County Clerk-Recorder’s Office.

This article will advise you of the procedures for obtaining a copy of a death certificate for a person that died from an accident in Stanislaus County. We also have information on related topics that will surely be of interest to you, such as:

• Can a family member get a copy of a death certificate from Stanislaus County?
• How much will it cost me to obtain a certified copy of a death certificate?
• Is there a way to get a death certificate for free from Stanislaus County?

If you need further assistance, don’t hesitate to contact the accidental death lawyers of Normandie Law Firm.

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How to Order a Death Certificate from Stanislaus County

Death certificates from the Stanislaus County Vital Records Office can be ordered in person or by mail. If you plan to visit the office in person, it would be a good idea to check the office hours by calling (209) 525-5250 before making the trip. You will also need to fill out the death certificate application form ahead of time, which you can download at

. Once you’ve completed the forms, you can head down to the Vital Statistics Office, which is located at 1021 I Street, Suite 101, Modesto, CA 95354.

You can also mail the forms to the office along with a check or money order for the fee. You can find the mailing procedures on page 3 of the application, along with other vital information about the ordering process.

Who is Authorized to get a Certified Copy of a Death Certificate?

Many people are confused by what it means to have an authorized copy of a death certificate, as death records are generally public information. This is true, but there is a difference in what you can accomplish with an authorized copy of the death certificate versus an informational copy. Authorized copies can only be issued to family members or spouses / registered domestic partners of the decedent. An informational copy is available to the general public, but they cannot be used to conduct official business, like claiming life insurance and other assets from the estate. Thus, it’s essential to get a certified copy of the death certificate as soon as possible after your loved one’s passing.

Aside from family members and spouses, you may be wondering, “Who else can order a copy of a death certificate from Stanislaus County after an accident?” Certain members of law enforcement may have access to the death certificate if they are investigating the accident. Lawyers can also obtain death certificates if they are representing loved ones of the deceased in a probate or wrongful death case.

A wrongful death claim is a legal action that’s filed against someone that’s responsible for another person’s death. Typically, these involve accidents that are caused by negligence and misconduct, and they can be filed against an individual or an entity (company, city agency, etc.). If you’re interested in learning more about wrongful death lawsuits or have questions on how to get a Stanislaus County accident death certificate, please give us a call.

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

Stanislaus County has partnered with VitalChek, which is a private company that allows people to order vital records 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The process for how to place an order is explained at www.vitalchek.com, which we advise you to read carefully before you decide whether this is the method you want to use. Many people assume this is the fastest way to get a death certificate from Stanislaus County, but the processing time can actually be around 2 to 3 weeks. In addition, the company charges fees that you would not have to pay if you place an order directly with the County Clerk’s office. However, this may be the most convenient option for you, especially if you live far away from the Stanislaus County.

Required Payment for a Stanislaus County Death Certificate after an Accident

It will cost you $24 for each certified copy of a death certificate from the Stanislaus County Vital Records Office. The fee is the same no matter how you place your order, but there are additional fees for online orders, which are assessed by VitalChek. Please keep in mind that the fee can only be paid in check or money order for in-person and mail orders. Online orders must be paid by a major credit card, though there will be a card processing fee, along with other administrative and shipping costs.

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

The Stanislaus County Clerk’s website does not specify the processing timeline for a certified copy of a death certificate. However, we know from experience that it takes around 2 to 4 weeks to get a copy of a death certificate from Stanislaus County for online and mail orders. In-person orders during the office’s business hours are often processed the same day.

We strongly recommend that you call the Vital Statistics department before you visit the office or send in your application. They can give you a better timeline of how long it will take to get a death certificate, along with any other information that would be helpful to know ahead of time.

What are my Options if I can’t Afford to Pay for a Death Certificate?

An unexpected death is accompanied by many expenses, like funeral costs, medical bills, and court fees. As a result, many people wonder if there is a way to get a free death certificate from Stanislaus County, Unfortunately, there is no program through the county or state that can help you in this regard, but there may be a solution for you here at Normandie Law Firm. If your loved one’s death was caused by negligence, like reckless driving, dangerous condition in a building, or excessive force (by police or security guards, for example), you may have grounds for a wrongful death lawsuit. As your legal representative, we can possibly get the death certificate for free as part of a legal proceeding. To discuss this option in more detail, contact our law firm to schedule a free case evaluation.

By the way, some people also approach us to ask if they can get a death certificate from the funeral director. The problem here is that the coroner’s office can take weeks or months to conclude an accidental death investigation. In the meantime, they understand that families want to bury or cremate the decedent, which is why funeral directors are given an “interim death certificate.” This certificate will not have the cause of death, so it will have limited used. For example, most financial institutions, including banks and life insurance companies, require a cause of death to be listed on the death certificate. In short, it will be impossible to truly settle your loved one’s estate if you don’t have a certified copy of the death certificate.

Contact us for a Free Case Review

Our wrongful death lawyers have been assisting families and spouses of accident victims for over two decades. We know how tough it can be to get answers to your questions, even on seemingly simple issues, like how to get a certified copy of a death certificate from Stanislaus County. You can count on us to provide you with the needed guidance while ensuring that your rights are represented in a wrongful death claim against the responsible party.

The Zero Fee Guarantee is a core principle at our law firm, which means you pay $0 to hire one of our attorneys. We put up all the costs associated with your lawsuit and wait to receive payment at the end of your case. As we only get paid by bringing you compensation, you won’t be responsible for any legal fees if we don’t win your case.

Please contact our law firm if you’re ready to explore your legal options as someone that lost a loved one to an accident.

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