1. Death must have occurred in Kern County
2. Death certificates may be obtained from Vital Records at Public Health for years of death from 1993 to present.
   Certificates for deaths occurring prior to 1993 can be obtained from the County Recorder’s Office 
3. Fees:
   $24.00 per copy for both certified or informational death certificates
   $21.00 per copy for both certified or informational fetal death certificates
4. There are three ways you can request a death certificate:
   1. By Mail (Public)
      • Complete the Application for Death Certificate (English) / Application for Death Certificate (Spanish)
      • Have application notarized
      • Mail check or money order (DO NOT SEND CASH) with a self addressed stamped envelope, to:
      • Kern County Office of Vital Records
        1800 Mt Vernon Ave, 1st Floor
        Bakersfield, CA 93306-3302
   2. By Mail (Funeral Establishment)
      • Complete the Funeral Establishment Death Certificate Request / Funeral Establishment Credit Card Authorization Form 
      • Mail check or money order (DO NOT SEND CASH) with a self addressed stamped envelope, to:
      • Kern County Office of Vital Records
        1800 Mt Vernon Ave, 1st Floor
        Bakersfield, CA 93306-3302
   3. In-Person
      • Monday – Friday excluding holidays
        8:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.Kern County Office of Vital Records
        1800 Mt Vernon Ave, 1st Floor
        Bakersfield, CA 93306-3302
        Telephone: (661) 321-3000
   4. Order through Vital Check 

Death occurred in another California County
State Office of Vital Records

Death occurred outside of California
Center for Health Statistics Links to State Vital Records