Death Certificate

Certified copies of death certificates for the current year and the previous year may be purchased at our office, located at 439 Fourth Street, Hollister CA 95023.  If the person died in San Benito County, you may obtain a certified copy from this office. If the county is not known, please contact the State Office of Vital Records.

Death certificates are currently $21 and must be paid with cash only.  Please bring the exact amount for faster processing.  Our office hours are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.  Please arrive by no later than 4:30 PM to ensure time to fill out the application properly.

Older death certificates may be purchased in person at the County Clerk-Recorder’s office at 440 Fifth Street, Second Floor Room 206, Hollister, CA 95023.

Obtaining Certified Copies of Death Records

Processing fees are deposited upon receiving your request.
$21 for Death Certificate.
Cash only please – Exact change only please.
Please allow 3-4 weeks from the date of deposit to receive your vital record.
Before submitting your application, please view our processing times to make sure they are acceptable for your needs.

Application for Certified Copy of Death Record – Aplicacion Para Copia Certificada de Acta de Defuncion

Did You Know The Guidelines For Ordering Birth And Death Certificates Has Changed?

Due to the increased occurrence of identity theft, new laws were passed to protect birth and death records from misuse. These laws went into effect July 1, 2003. The California Health and Safety Code, Sections 103526, will permit only authorized individuals to receive certified copies of birth and death records. Those who are not authorized by law to receive certified copies will receive certified copies marked “INFORMATION, NOT A VALID DOCUMENT TO ESTABLISH IDENTITY.”

In The Case Of Death Records, The New Law Describes An Authorized Person As:

•  The registrant, parent or legal guardian of the registrant.
• A party entitled to receive the record as a result of a court order, an attorney or a licensed adoption agency seeking the death record in order to comply with the requirements of Section 3140 or 7603 of the Family Code.
• A member of a law enforcement agency or a representative of another governmental agency, as provided by law, who is conducting official business.
• A child, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, spouse, or domestic partner of the registrant.
• An attorney representing the registrant, the registrant’s estate, and person or agency empowered by statute or appointed by a court to act on behalf of the registrant or the registrant’s estate.
• A funeral director ordering certified copies of a death certificate on behalf of an individual specified in paragraphs (1) to (5), inclusive, of subdivision (a) of Section 7100 pf the Health and Safety Code.

San Benito County does not accept online orders.