The Orange County Coroner’s Division is in charge of investigating a death when violent or suspicious circumstances are involved. Essentially, any fatality that does not seem to have occurred from natural causes can be investigated by the county coroner. This process will help the medical examiner determine an official cause of death, which has to be listed on a death certificate. While figuring out the correct cause of death is important, it can be frustrating for families who are in need of the death certificate to resolve their loved one’s affairs. This includes distributing their assets and filing for monetary compensation if another individual or entity is responsible for the accident.
Once the coroner’s office issues a cause of death, they will forward the information to another county agency. This can be confusing for surviving family members, who assume that they can ask the coroner for a copy of the death certificate. However, the process is more complicated that most people expect. In this article, we will advise you on the methods for obtaining a copy of a death certificate in Orange County. If you have more specific questions regarding your rights and legal options, contact our office and schedule a free case evaluation.
How can I get a Copy of a Death Certificate from the Orange County Coroner’s Office?
The coroner’s office is only charged with determining the official cause of death. In order to get a copy of the death certificate, you will need to contact the County of Orange Health Care Agency if you are within 60 days of the date of death. Below is the address and contact information for this agency:
1200 N. Main Street #100-A
Santa Ana, CA 92702
(714) 480-6700
If it’s been over 60 days from the date of death, you can request a death certificate from the Orange County Clerk-Recorder Department at:
12 Civic Center Plaza, Room 106
Santa Ana, CA 92701
(714) 834-2500
Both offices allow you to request the death certificate in person during their business hours. You will need to complete the application forms ahead of time, which you can find on the Health Agency or County Clerk’s website. We recommend calling them ahead of time to ensure that they’re open and that you’re aware of the requirements that are specific to each office. For example, the Orange County Clerk’s office only allows entry to the person that’s requesting a copy of the certificate.
It at any point the process becomes overwhelming for you, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at our office. We can take care of ordering the death certificates and help you take legal action if your loved one’s passing was due to someone else’s negligence.
Can I Order a Copy of the Death Certificate by Mail?
To mail a request for a death certificate with the OC Health Agency, you will need to mail the completed and notarized application, the applicable fee, and a stamped, self-addressed envelope to:
Office of Vital Records
200 W. Santa Ana Blvd., Suite 100-B
Santa Ana, CA 92701
If you’re ordering a copy from the County Clerks’ office, you can mail the application with your payment to:
OC Clerk-Recorder
ATTN: Vitals Records
P.O. BOX 238
Santa Ana, CA 92702
How long does it take to get a Copy of a Death Certificate after an Accident?
It takes around 5 to 10 business days for either agency to process a death certificate once they receive your application. However, it can take longer depending on the number of pending applications, so we advise waiting 3 weeks before calling the agency to check up on your order.
You must also keep in mind that a certified death certificate can only be issued once the coroner provides an official cause of death. An investigation by the coroner’s office can take up to several months, and afterwards, it will take a week or more for the information to be transmitted to the Health Care Agency or the County Clerk’s office. That means you may have to wait 3 months or more after your loved one’s accident to request a copy of the death certificate.
If it’s been several months and the coroner’s office has not determined a cause of death, it may be time to speak with an attorney. Some accidents are incredibly complicated and require many months of investigation. However, there are times when neglect or carelessness can lead to a death certificate remaining in limbo for an unreasonable length of time. If you are having trouble getting answers from the Orange County coroner’s office, contact our law firm and speak with one of our attorneys.
Can I get a Copy of the Death Certificate Online?
Yes, copies of death certificates with the Office of Vital Records or the Orange County Healthcare Agency can be ordered online through VitalChek This is a third party platform used by government agencies throughout California, and it’s more convenient than ordering a death certificate in person or through the mail. However, there will be additional processing fees and shipping costs, so it’s more expensive than the other two methods.
How much does it Cost to get a Copy of a Death Certificate?
Regardless of which office you contact, certified copies of death certificates are $24 each in Orange County. The cost is the same if you order online from VitalChek, but they will charge additional service fees, as well as shipping costs that will depend on the delivery service of your choice.
Can the Funeral Director Give me a Copy of the Death Certificate?
The funeral director will most likely give you a copy of what they’ve received from the coroner’s office. However, the death certificate they hand you may not have a cause of death. This is very common with accident-related deaths, which requires lengthy investigations. In the meantime, the coroner’s office will issue a preliminary death certificate without the cause of death so that family members can arrange for a funeral and initiate the probate process.
Unfortunately, actions like claiming life insurance benefits and filing a lawsuit require an official cause of death. Thus, you will need to wait for an amended death certificate, which can only be issued when the coroner’s office completes their investigation.
How many copies of a Death Certificate should I Order?
There’s no universal number of certified death certificates you have to order, but we like to recommend 10 as a general rule. Keep in mind you may have to provide a death certificate for each asset you are attempting to claim or transfer. These assets include, but are not limited to, life insurance, real estate, investment funds, and pension benefits. A certified death certificate will also be required by the insurance company if you are seeking wrongful death compensation.
The total cost to pay for enough death certificates can be quite expensive, especially when you have to pay for a funeral, medical bills, and other expenses left behind by the decedent. So what can you do if you need financial help with getting a copy of a death certificate?
Can I get Financial Help in getting a Copy of a Death Certificate?
Private lenders are out there to assist families who are struggling to pay for multiple copies of a death certificate. If you plan on filing a lawsuit against the party responsible for your family member’s death, you may have looked into a lawsuit funding company. These companies will lend you money and allow you to pay it back once you receive your settlement. Since you don’t have to make payments in the meantime, we understand why these companies seem like a good idea.
What many people fail to understand are the exorbitant interest rates, which can go up to 60%. It’s fair to call these rates predatory, as they are comparable to interest rates offered by payday loan companies. A better solution is to ask your attorney if they can cover the costs of the death certificates, which is a service we’re happy to offer our clients. Not all law firms will cover such expenses, but we believe in doing everything we can to avoid delays that can hold up a client’s settlement award.
If you’d like to speak about this topic in more detail, please give us a call at your earliest convenience.
Legal Advice from the Lawyers of Normandie
It can be hard to figure out what you should do after a loved one passes away from an accident. Every step is fraught with complications, even something as simple as obtaining a death certificate. During this time, it’s important to have a lawyer on your side that can represent the interests of you and your family.
The lawyers of Normandie are committed to fighting for your rights, including the right to monetary compensation if your loved one’s death was caused by negligence or misconduct. We will take swift and decisive action to recover your damages, while treating you with the compassion and empathy you deserve. As part of our commitment to you, we will defer all payments for our services until we win your case. That means you will never pay upfront for our services, even if we take your case to trial. If we don’t win your case, you won’t have to pay us a dime as a promise under our Zero fee guarantee.
If you’re ready to learn more about the ways we can assist you, contact our office and schedule a free consultation.
