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1. Who can get a death certificate?

State law only allows authorized individuals to receive certified copies of death records. A certified copy of a death record may be required to obtain death benefits, claim insurance proceeds, notify social security and obtain other services related to an individual's identity.

Those who are not authorized by law to receive a certified copy will receive a certified copy marked "Informational, Not a Valid Document to Establish Identity."

Authorized Persons

• A parent or legal guardian of the registrant
• A party entitled to receive the record as a result of a court order, or an attorney or a licensed adoption agency seeking the birth 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 or the registrant's estate, or any 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 one (1) to five (5), inclusive, of subdivision (a) of Section 7100 of the Health and Safety Code.

2. How long does it take to get a death certificate?

Death Certificates are received from the Funeral Homes within 8 to 10 days from the date of death and then registered through our Vital Records office. A Certified Copy of a death that occurred in the current year and one-year prior are available at the Nevada County Vital Records office. Certificates older than 2 years are available at the Nevada County Clerk-Recorder's office.

3. Can I fix an error on a death certificate?

• Informants must review the Certificate of Death with the Funeral Home for any reported errors.
• Any error on the Death Certificate, particularly in the Name field, Spouse's Name, Social Security Number, and / or Date of Birth, could result in the delay of receiving any death benefits such as life insurance and Social Security benefits. 
• Affidavits to Amend a Record must be filed to correct any errors on Death Certificates. This process takes approximately six to ten months.

4. What happens if a cause of death is "pending"?

In the case of a pending cause of death, the original Certificate is held in the Vital Records office until the amendment is received from the Coroner, usually within 60 to 90 days. Certified copies are available once the amendment has been received and processed.