RUHS-Public Health Office of Vital Records issues the current year and the previous year. The Clerk-Recorder issues all years once it has the record. Start with Public Health for a recent local death.
Who may request
Under California Health and Safety Code section 103526: parent or legal guardian, child, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, spouse or domestic partner, funeral director acting for the family, attorney or court-appointed representative of the estate, or a government agency on official business. Informational copies go to everyone else and will not satisfy a bank.
What to bring
Government-issued ID for authorized copies. Mail applications must be notarized. Confirm the current list on the Clerk-Recorder application before you send it.
Where to write or visit
Mail: P.O. Box 751, Riverside, CA 92502-0751, payable to Riverside County Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder. Drop boxes and appointment counters are listed on rivcoacr.org. Current-year and previous-year deaths are also issued by RUHS-Public Health, Office of Vital Records.
Notes from the desk
Death copies are $26 each as of 1 Jan 2026 on the Clerk-Recorder fee table. There is no cheaper extra. The county only issues deaths that occurred in Riverside County. CDPH in Sacramento is the statewide backup. Online orders may add a small processing fee. This desk takes no cut.