Bakersfield Death Records

Bakersfield death records are maintained by Kern County, not by the city. California gives counties the job of keeping vital records. For a death that happened in Bakersfield, you need to contact the Kern County Assessor-Recorder office. The main office is in Bakersfield at 1115 Truxtun Avenue. They handle all death certificates for Bakersfield and every other city in Kern County. You can request records by visiting the office, ordering online through VitalChek, or sending a mail request.

Where to Get Bakersfield Death Certificates

Death certificates for Bakersfield come from Kern County. The county seat is in Bakersfield. This makes the county office convenient for Bakersfield residents.

The Kern County Assessor-Recorder operates the main office at 1115 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Walk in service is available during these hours. Bring a photo ID and payment if you visit in person.

Kern County keeps death records going back many decades. The exact start date varies based on when record keeping became mandatory in California. Older records may exist but could take extra time to locate. The county can search for any death that occurred within Kern County boundaries, including Bakersfield and all surrounding areas.

Phone inquiries can be directed to the recorder's office. Staff can answer questions about whether a record is available and what you need to order. Check the Kern County certificates page for current contact information and any updates to office hours or procedures.

How to Request a Death Certificate

Kern County offers three ordering methods. Walk in at the Bakersfield office. Order online through VitalChek. Mail a written request.

Walk in service gives the fastest results for recent records. County staff can often print a death certificate while you wait if the death occurred within the last several decades and the record is digitized. Very old records may require staff to pull archived files, which takes longer. The fee is $26 per copy. Pay with cash, check, money order, or credit card at the counter.

VitalChek handles online ordering for Kern County. This third party service lets you request death certificates through their website any time. You pay the $26 county fee plus VitalChek service fees. Processing and delivery take several weeks. The system accepts credit cards and debit cards. Your certificate arrives by mail once the county processes the order and VitalChek ships it.

Mail requests go to the Kern County Assessor-Recorder office. Obtain an application form from the county website or by calling the office. Fill out the form completely. Include a check or money order for $26 per copy. Mail everything to 1115 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301. Processing takes a few weeks depending on current workload. The county will mail your certificate to the address you provide on the application.

Costs and Eligibility Rules

Kern County charges $26 for each death certificate. This matches the standard fee for most California counties.

California law creates two types of death certificates. Authorized copies work for all legal purposes. Informational copies carry a stamp stating they cannot establish identity. Both cost the same $26 per copy.

Only certain people can get authorized copies under Health and Safety Code Section 103526. The list includes spouse, parent, child, grandparent, grandchild, and sibling of the deceased. You must submit a notarized sworn statement declaring your relationship and your right to receive the record. The notary must witness your signature and stamp the form.

Anyone can request an informational copy without proving relationship. No notary is needed for this type. Informational copies serve genealogy research and personal records. They do not work for settling estates, claiming life insurance, or other legal matters that require proof of death and identity verification.

VitalChek adds its own fees on top of the $26 county charge. These fees cover online processing, payment handling, and shipping. The total cost through VitalChek runs higher than ordering direct from the county, but the convenience of online access may be worth the extra expense for some users.

When Death Records Become Available

Death records need about two weeks to be filed after the death occurs. Do not order right away.

The death must be registered with the county before a certificate can be issued. This process involves the funeral home, medical examiner or attending physician, and county staff. All the paperwork must be completed and entered into the system. Trying to order too soon results in a no record found outcome. You still pay the search fee even when no record exists yet.

Call Kern County before ordering if the death was very recent. Ask if the record is in the system. This saves you from spending money on a search that will come back empty. Once staff confirm the record is available, proceed with your order using any of the three methods.

Old Death Records for Bakersfield

Kern County holds death records for Bakersfield going back many years. The county recorder is the official custodian of these historical records.

Very old death certificates may not be digitized. Staff must locate the original paper record or microfilm. This takes more time than pulling a modern digital record. Be prepared to wait longer for deaths from before the 1980s or 1990s depending on when Kern County digitized its records.

Deaths before July 1905 are not available from the state office. Only the county has pre-1905 records. The California State Archives holds some old Kern County records for research, but they cannot issue certified copies. If you need a certified death certificate from the 1800s or early 1900s, Kern County is your only source.

Genealogy websites like FamilySearch and Ancestry have many Bakersfield death records from decades ago. These are informational images or transcriptions. They help with family history but cannot be used for legal purposes. Order a certified copy from Kern County if you need official documentation.

Details Required to Order

Gather these facts before requesting a death certificate:

• Full name of deceased person
• Date of death or estimated year
• Place of death in Kern County
• Your name and how you are related to the deceased
• Current mailing address for delivery

Exact dates help staff locate records faster. If you only know the approximate year, provide that. The county can search a range of dates. Wrong information may cause delays or a failed search. Double check all details before submitting your request.

Additional information like parents' names or spouse's name can help when the deceased had a common name. This prevents confusion if multiple people with similar names died around the same time.

State Office as Alternative

You can order Bakersfield death records from the California Department of Public Health in Sacramento. They maintain copies of all death records from July 1905 to present.

The state office is slower than Kern County. Processing takes five to seven weeks on average according to the state processing times page. Kern County processes requests much faster, especially for walk in service.

The state charges $24 by mail or $26 through VitalChek. Kern County charges $26 direct or $26 plus service fees through VitalChek. Cost is similar but speed favors the county. Most people get better results by ordering from Kern County unless they prefer dealing with the state for some reason.

Mail requests to the state office go to California Department of Public Health, Vital Records, MS 5103, P.O. Box 997410, Sacramento, CA 95899-7410. Use the state application form VS 112 available on the state website.

Other Kern County Cities

All cities in Kern County use the same assessor-recorder office for death records. The office is in Bakersfield, the county seat.

Other cities include Delano, Ridgecrest, Tehachapi, Wasco, Arvin, Shafter, and California City. Contact Kern County for death certificates from any location within county boundaries.

Death Records Outside Kern County

Deaths that occurred outside Kern County require contacting the correct county office. Each county keeps its own records.

Nearby cities: Fresno (Fresno County), Santa Clarita (Los Angeles County)