When a person passes away, a death certificate is issued as an official record of the place, time, and cause of the individual’s death. Death certificates are necessary in order for loved ones to arrange a funeral or cremation. The executor of the estate will also need the death certificate to take control of the decedent’s assets and distribute them according to the will or the state’s probate laws. In California, deaths involving violent or unusual circumstances must be investigated by a county medical examiner. So if your loved one passed away after an accident in Los Angeles County, the agency in charge of investigating their death is the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner office. Below is the address and contact information for this agency:
1104 N. Mission Rd.
Los Angeles, CA 90033
(323) 343-0512
(323) 343-0714 (after business hours)
Email: info@coroner.lacounty.gov
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM
A death certificate will be issued once the LA County coroner’s office completes their examination. However, the process for obtaining a death certificate is not as straight-forward as you may think. For more information on how to receive this essential document, please keep reading. If you have any questions or concerns, our lawyers are here for you so please don’t hesitate to give us a call.
How Can I get a Copy of a Death Certificate from LA County?
After the coroner’s office conducts their investigation, they will issue a death certificate, which can be released to the following individuals:
- A parent of the deceased (or legal guardian)
- The deceased individual’s spouse
- Grandparents, siblings, and other close relatives
- Executor or administrator of the estate
- Authorized medical personnel
- Attorney representing the estate, spouse, or family
However, you cannot obtain a death certificate directly from the coroner’s office. There are three options for how to request a copy of your loved one’s death certificate, which we will go over in the upcoming sections.
Contact the California Department of Public Health
Vital records such as death certificates are held at the California Department of Public Health – Vital Records for approximately one year from the date of death. Copies of death certificates have to be ordered by mail by sending in an Application for Certified Copy of Death Record, which you can find on the California Department of Health website. The form will need to be notarized in order to obtain a certified copy of the death certificate. Otherwise, you will only receive an “informational” copy, which cannot be used for official purposes.
Once you have all the necessary information, you can mail your request to:
California Department of Public Health
Vital Records – MS 5103
P.O. Box 997410
Sacramento, CA 95899-7410
Contact the LA County Registrar-Recorder’s Office
The Department of Public Health maintains death records for one year. After that, death certificates can be obtained by contacting the LA County Registrar’s office. You can order a copy in person by visiting the office at:
12400 Imperial Highway
Norwalk, CA 90650
You can also request a copy through the mail by sending in the release application and notarized Certificate of Identity forms, which you can download from the LA County Registrar-Recorder’s office website.
Order a Copy Online
Copies of death certificates with the LA Country Registrar’s office can be ordered online through VitalChek. While this method is convenient, the processing time is around 20 business days, so it can still take several weeks before you receive a copy of the death certificate.
Can I ask the Funeral Director for a Copy of the Death Certificate?
Yes, you can, but please be aware that funeral directors are generally given “interim” death certificates, which are issued for the purpose of allowing family members to make funeral arrangements. Thus, if the coroner’s office is still investigating your loved one’s death, you will have to wait for an amended death certificate. This is particularly important in the case of wrongful death lawsuits, since you will need proof of the official cause of death.
How long does it take to get a Copy of a Death Certificate?
Unfortunately, certificates for deaths after an accident can take a long time to process. It all depends on the length of the investigation by the LA County coroner’s office. If the circumstances are especially complex or criminal charges are involved, the coroner’s examination can take several months or more. After that, you will still need to order the death certificate and wait for it to be processed, which can take anywhere from 4 to 12 weeks.
The wait times and the procedures involved can be overwhelming for many families. The paperwork can be confusing as well, and it may be difficult for individuals to arrange for a notary stamp. One of our attorneys can take care of the entire process for you and answer any questions you have about your legal rights. If you’re in need of assistance, please contact our office and schedule a free consultation.
How much does it Cost to get a Copy of a Death Certificate?
The cost of a death certificate depends on the agency that you’ll need to contact. The California Department of Public Health and the LA County Registrar’s office charges $24 per copy of a certified death certificate. The fee is the same for online orders, but VitalCheck will charge you an additional processing fee of $9.00.
If you’re visiting the LA Country Registrar’ office in person, you can pay the fee by cash, check, or money order. For mail-in requests, you will need to pay by money order or check, but checks must be pre-printed with your name and address.
How many Copies of the Death Certificate will I Need?
The number of copies you will need depends on what you will need to take care of on the decedent’s behalf. An executor of an estate, for example, should ask for at least 10 copies. But even a spouse, parent, and other family member will need a copy of the death certificate each time they claim benefits or assets that belonged to the decedent. These assets can include life insurance, retirement savings, real estate properties, and Social Security benefits. If you’re unsure of how many copies of a death certificate you should order, please give us a call. We can walk you through the entire process and take care of ordering the death certificates for you. That way, you can focus on working through your grief and taking care of your family.
Can I get Financial Help in getting a copy of a Death Certificate?
While there is assistance from the county for burial costs, they will not assist with the cost of death certificates. This can be a big burden on the decedent’s loved ones depending on the number of copies they will need.
Options do exist for private loans, including lawsuit funding companies if you are pursuing a wrongful death compensation claim. This type of legal action is a claim against an individual or entity that is responsible for someone’s death. It is filed by the decedent’s family members or loved ones, and is meant to compensate them for their financial and emotional losses.
Lawsuit funding companies will lend you money to help you pay for living expenses and other costs while you are in litigation. The loan is paid back once you receive your settlement, but interest rates on these loans can be as high as 60%, which will leave you with very little of your settlement award.
To ensure that you recover a fair and adequate settlement, contact our law firm and speak with one of our wrongful death lawsuit attorneys. If you are interested in retaining our services, we can cover the costs of the death certificates and initiate a wrongful death claim on your behalf. Our lawyers will take care of all correspondences between you and the insurance company, and fight to recover the settlement you deserve.
Help from the Lawyers of Normandie
Losing a loved one is devastating enough, but the process to resolve their estate and move forward with your life is even harder. There are many steps you will need to take, beginning with obtaining a copy of the death certificate. Unfortunately, this is not a straightforward process when someone dies as a result of an accident. Having an experienced lawyer by your side is crucial, especially if your loved one’s death was caused by someone else’s negligence.
Legal representation can be expensive, but this is not something you will need to worry about. With our Zero fee guarantee, our fees will be paid by the party you are suing, and that’s only if we win your case. That’s right – there are no upfront costs to you, nor will you have to pay us if we don’t recover your settlement award. As there is nothing to lose, please take the chance of giving us call and scheduling a free case evaluation.
