A death certificate is an official record of the time, location, and cause of an individual’s death. The process is fairly straightforward when someone dies of natural causes. But things are more complicated when the decedent is a victim of an accident. In that case, their remains will need to be examined by the county coroner’s office. If your family member or loved one died after an accident in San Diego County, the Department of the Medical Examiner will be in charge of issuing the death certificate. The medical examiner’s office can be reached at:
5570 Overland Avenue
Suite 101
San Diego, CA 92123-1206
(858) 694-2895
Fax: (858) 495-5956
An official death certificate can only be released after a thorough investigation, which can take anywhere from several weeks to several months. This can be a frustrating time for the victim’s loved ones, but it’s essential to establish the correct cause of death. Another source of stress is the procedures for obtaining a copy of the death certificate, which we will go over in this article.
We hope this information will be helpful to you, but getting a death certificate can be quite difficult, especially if another individual or entity is responsible for your family member’s death. Our law firm is here for you, so don’t hesitate to contact us if you have questions or concerns.
How can I get a Copy of a Death Certificate from the Coroner’s Office?
Once the investigation is finished by the coroner’s office, they will issue an official death certificate. Certified copies of this document can only be released to the following individuals:
- A parent of legal guardian of the decedent
- A spouse of registered domestic partner
- Immediate family members such as siblings and grandparents
- Executor of the decedent’s estate
- The deceased person’s doctor or authorized medical personnel
- An attorney for the family members or estate
Although the coroner’s office issues the official death certificate, they are not in charge of releasing copies to family members and loved ones. Instead, you will need to contact one of two government agencies, depending on the date of your loved one’s death.
Death Certificates from San Diego County’s Office of Vital Records and Statistics
If it’s been two years or less from the date of your loved one’s death, you must contact the county’s Office of Vital Records and Statistics for a certified copy of the death certificate. If you’d like to fill out the request form in person, you can head down to:
5570 Overland Avenue
Suite 101
San Diego, CA. 92123
This is the same address as the Medical Examiner’s office, which is where the Office of Vital Records is currently operating from. This is a temporary location, so you may want to call them ahead of time at (619) 692-5733 to ensure they haven’t moved somewhere else.
You can also mail in your request by completing the Application for Certified Copy of Death Record and Sworn Statement and Certificate of Acknowledgement, which can be found at the San Diego County Health and Human Services website. Make sure to sign the Sworn statement in front of a notary, or the Office of Vital Records will not be able to process your request. Once all the forms are completed, mail them to the following address with the required fee:
Office of Vital Records
County of San Diego P-529
5570 Overland Avenue, Suite 101
San Diego, CA 92123
Death Certificates from the San Diego County Recorder’s Office
If it’s been two years or more since the date of death, you should contact the San Diego County Recorder’s Office for a copy of the death certificate. To ensure that that a copy of the certificate is on file, you can call the office ahead of time at (619) 237-0502. You should also verify the office you’ll need to visit, as the Recorder’s Office has 6 locations throughout the county.
If you’d rather ask for a copy by mail, you can complete the necessary forms and mail them to the following address:
San Diego Recorder/County Clerk
ATTN: Vital Records
P.O. Box 121750
San Diego, CA 92112-1750
The required forms can be found at the San Diego Recorder’s Office website. One of these forms is the Sworn Statement and Certificate of Acknowledgement, which must be notarized if you’re asking for a certified copy. You can still get an informational copy without the notary stamp, but this type of certificate will not be acceptable to insurance companies and other institutions you may need to contact.
Can I get a Copy of the Death Certificate Online?
Copies of death certificates issued by the San Diego County coroner’s office can be ordered online through VitalChek. This is, by far, the quickest and most convenient method. However, VitalChek advises that processing times are around 20 business days from the day they receive your request, so you will need to wait several weeks before receiving a copy of the death certificate.
How long does it take to get a Copy of a Death Certificate?
The length of time you will need to wait depends on the processing times, which can be anywhere from 4 to 12 weeks. Online requests have the quickest turnaround times, but this process can still take 20 business days on average. You must also keep in mind that the San Diego County coroner’s office must finish their investigation before an official death certificate is ready for release. According to the Department of the Medical Examiner, investigations can take as long as 90 days.
If you’re struggling to obtain a copy of your loved one’s death certificate, please give us a call at our office. We can look into this problem for you, and advise you of your rights and legal options during a free case evaluation.
How much does it Cost to get a Copy of a Death Certificate?
Certified death certificates from the San Diego County Recorder’s office and the Office of Vital Records are $24 per copy. You can pay by cash if you’re heading down to either office in person, but only check or money order will be accepted for requests through the mail. Copies ordered online are also $24 each, but you will need to pay an additional processing fee of $12.95.
How many Copies of the Death Certificate Should I ask for?
How many copies you will need depends on the actions you are taking as a result of your loved one’s death. As a general rule, we advise at least 10 copies for executors of the estate. But even if you’re not the executor, you will need a certified copy of the death certificate each time you claim benefits or assets, such as life insurance, Social Security benefits, pension funds, and real estate properties. If you’re uncertain about the number of copies you will need, please feel free to give us a call. We can order the death certificates for you and initiate a claim for damages if your loved one’s death was due to someone else’s negligence. To learn more about the ways we can assist you, contact Normandie Law Firm and schedule a free case evaluation.
Can I get Financial Help in getting a Copy of the Death Certificate?
Considering how many copies of a death certificate may be needed, it’s understandable that families will struggle to pay the necessary fees. One solution we’re often asked about is lawsuit funding companies, which offer cash advances that are paid back once you receive your settlement. The problem with these companies is their interest rates, which typically range between 27 to 60%. This is comparable to interest rates for payday loans, which have a bad reputation for good reason.
A more practical option is to find a lawyer who will cover the costs of the death certificates while they’re working on your case. We do this regularly at our law firm, which allows our clients to keep as much of their settlement award as possible. If this sounds like an option you’d like to explore, don’t hesitate to give us a call.
Normandie is Here for You
The process to resolve a loved one’s affairs after their passing are complicated, to say the least. Nothing is easy, including the steps to obtain a copy of the death certificate. Between their grief and the bureaucratic holdups, many families become overwhelmed and give up on the fight to recover their losses.
Normandie is here for you during this difficult time, and will do everything we can to bring you the resolution you deserve. We can take care of every step in your journey to monetary compensation, from retrieving a copy of the death certificate to negotiating a fair and balanced settlement.
Most importantly, we will do all this at no upfront cost to you as a promise under our Zero fee guarantee. Our costs are recovered at the same time as you receive your settlement, and if we don’t win you case, you will not be responsible for any legal fees. That means you have nothing to lose by contacting us and taking some time to speak with one of our attorneys.
We look forward to seeing you and doing all that we can to assist you and your family. Give us a call at your earliest convenience and schedule a free consultation.
