The Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office, also known as the Ventura County Coroner’s Office, is in charge of investing deaths involving violent, suspicious, or unusual circumstances. Thus, if your loved one passed away from an accident in Ventura County, their remains will be sent to the county coroner’s office in order to determine an official cause of death. A medical examiner’s investigation can take up to several months, which can be a stressful time for families and loved ones.
If you are in this situation, you likely have many questions on your mind, including:
- How can I contact the Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office?
- How can I get a copy of a death certificate from the coroner’s office?
- Do I need to pay for a copy of the death certificate?
- How long does it take to get a death certificate after an accident?
We are happy to provide answers to these questions, but please be aware that we can only give general information. If you have questions about your rights and legal options regarding the accidental death of your loved one, contact Normandie Law Firm and speak with a wrongful death lawsuit attorney.
How can I check up on the status of an investigation by the coroner’s office?
There are two ways to reach the Ventura County coroner’s office if you have questions regarding an on-going investigation. You can either call the office at (805) 641-4400 or use the online form on their website. If you need to send documentation or written correspondence, the office can be reached at:
3100 Foothill Rd
Ventura, CA 93003
Fax: (805) 641-4410
How can I get a Copy of a Death Certificate?
The coroner’s office is responsible for issuing a cause of death, but they are not in charge of sending the death certificate. That responsibility lies with the Ventura County Health Care Agency or the Ventura County Recorder’s Office. Death records are maintained for up to one year by the Health Care Agency before they are sent to the Recorder’s Office. Thus, if you are within one year of the date of your loved one’s death, you can contact the Health Care Agency to obtain a copy of the death certificate.
Below is the address and contact information for the Ventura County Health Care Agency:
2240 E. Gonzales Road, Suite 150
Oxnard, CA 93036
(805) 981-5172
How to Order a Death Certificate from the Ventura County Health Care Agency
Death certificates with the Health Care Agency can be ordered by mail on in-person by visiting the office during their business hours: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM from Monday to Friday. The agency’s website does not have instructions for how to request a death certificate by mail, so you will need to call them at (805) 981-5172 to find out this information. However, you can also order a copy of the death certificate online, which we will talk about in a later section.
Ordering a Death Certificate from the Ventura County Recorder’s Office
If it’s been over 1 year since the date of death, the agency in charge of the death certificate is the Ventura County Clerk – Recorder’s Office. You can order a copy of a death certificate from the Recorder’s Office in two ways:
- Requesting a death certificate in person
In-person requests are by appointment only, which you can book through the Vital Records section of the Ventura County Recorder’s office website. Use the drop down menu under “Vital Records” and select “Ordering a Copy of Vital Records” to access the “Schedule an Appointment” link.
- Requesting a death certificate by mail
To order a death certificate by mail, you’ll need to complete the required forms, which are available on the County Recorder’s website. Then, mail the completed forms with the required fees and a self-addressed, stamped envelope to:
MARK A. LUNN
County Clerk and Recorder
800 S. Victoria Ave.
Location # 1260
Ventura, CA 93009
There’s a lot of information you will need to provide for mail-in requests, so make sure to read the instructions on the County Recorder’s Office website. Additionally, please note that online applications are in English only, though the office is currently working on Spanish applications. Our office has bilingual lawyers who can assist you with the paperwork, so don’t hesitate to give us a call.
How can I get a Copy of a Death Certificate Online?
If you’d rather purchase a death certificate online, you will need to place an order with a third-party vendor called VitalChek. This method is certainly convenient, but there are additional fees that you would not have for in-person or mail in requests. For example, VitalChek will charge you for the cost of shipping, which can be as high as $19, depending on the shipping method you choose. Additionally, you will need to have a major credit card or debit card in order to use this service.
How long does it take to get a Copy of a Death Certificate?
Neither the Ventura County Health Care Agency nor the County Recorder’s Office list turnaround times for the processing of a death certificate. However, we know that it can take anywhere from 3 to 12 weeks to receive a death certificate, especially when placing a mail order. Even with online orders, it can take up to 20 days before a death certificate is mailed out to you.
If you have been waiting several weeks for a death certificate, you should check on the status of your order by calling the applicable agency. Unfortunately, it’s not always easy to get answers from government offices, even if you get through to the right person. Our law firm can look into this issue for you and advise you on your legal rights if your loved one died from someone else’s misconduct or negligence.
How much does it Cost to get a Copy of a Death Certificate?
Each copy of a certified death certificate will cost you $24, no matter which method you choose for placing an order. The cheapest method is to go to the office in person, but this is the least convenient option as you will need to book an appointment. However, ordering copies online can be expensive, considering the fees VitalChek charges for processing and shipping. That’s why it makes sense to order multiple copies of a death certificate at a time, but how many copies should you order?
How Many Certified Copies of a Death Certificate should I Order?
While there’s no specific number of death certificates you have to order, we recommend anywhere from 6 to 10 copies. This may sound like a lot, but it’s based on the number of assets that are in your loved one’s estate. For example, a certified copy of a death certificate must be provided for claiming benefits like pension funds and life insurance. Mortgage lenders, banks, and the Social Security Administration can also demand a certified copy of the death certificate. And if you’re filing compensation for an accidental death, the responsible party’s insurance company will require a certified death certificate listing the official cause of death.
Can I get Financial Help in getting a copy of a Death Certificate?
Considering the cost for each copy of a death certificate, it’s no wonder families have trouble paying for multiple copies. It’s not unusual for loved ones to spend several hundred dollars when all is said and done, which can be a huge burden after paying for a funeral and other expenses resulting from an accidental death.
To help defray the costs, you may have looked into a lawsuit loan, which is a cash advance for borrowers with pending lawsuits. If you’re filing for wrongful death compensation, for example, a lawsuit funding company will lend you money and wait for it to be paid back once you receive your settlement. This sounds like a good idea in theory, but you must consider the interest that accrues on a monthly basis. Depending on how long it takes to win your lawsuit, you could end up paying double or triple the original loan amount.
Here at Normandie, our job is to ensure that clients keep as much of their compensation award as possible. That’s why we are happy to cover the cost of death certificates on behalf of our clients. If you’d like to learn more about this option, give us a call as soon as you can and schedule a free consultation with one of our lawyers.
Let Normandie Fight for You
An accidental death leaves behind damaging consequences for the victim’s family members. While money can’t replace the loss of a loved one, it can help you recover medical bills, funeral costs, and other financial losses resulting from the accident. Legal action against the liable party can also bring you a sense of justice and resolution, which will allow you to move forward with your life.
Unfortunately, the wrongful death compensation process can be difficult for the average person to navigate on their own. An experienced attorney can ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve, but many people assume that they can’t afford an attorney. That won’t be a problem when you choose our law firm. With our Zero fee guarantee, you will pay nothing upfront to retain our services. We demand our legal fees along with your settlement award, so we get paid at the same time as you do. If we fail to win your case, you will not have to pay us anything at all, so there is never any risk to your finances.
Contact Normandie Law Firm and let us fight for you in a claim for wrongful death compensation.
