Fremont Death Record Requests

Fremont does not maintain death records. Alameda County handles all vital records for Fremont and every other city in the county. The Alameda County Clerk-Recorder's Office processes death certificate requests for events that occurred anywhere in Alameda County. Their main office is in Oakland at 1106 Madison Street, with an additional location in Dublin. Both offices accept walk in requests, or you can order online through the county portal or by mail. The county has records dating back to 1871 and charges $28 per certified copy plus a small online convenience fee if you order through their website.

Alameda County Handles Fremont Death Records

California places vital records at the county level. Cities have no role in death certificate issuance.

For Fremont death records, contact Alameda County. The main office sits at 1106 Madison Street in Oakland. A second office is at 7600 Dublin Boulevard, Suite 160, in Dublin. Both locations operate Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. Walk in service is available at both sites for same day processing of recent records.

Alameda County maintains death records from 1871 to present. Records from 1960 forward can usually be processed the same day. Records from 1871 to 1959 may take up to three business days to retrieve and copy. The county charges $28 for each certified copy, which is slightly higher than the state average.

How to Order a Death Certificate

Three options exist. Walk in. Order online. Send a mail request.

Walk in to either the Oakland or Dublin office with valid photo identification and payment. Staff will search the database for the record you need. For deaths from 1960 to present, you can usually get the certificate the same day. Deaths from 1871 to 1959 take up to three business days because these older files are in storage. Bring $28 per copy. The county accepts cash, checks, money orders, and credit cards.

Online ordering uses the county operated portal at the Alameda County website. You fill out a form with the deceased person's information and your contact details. Pay by credit card. The county charges a single $2 convenience fee per online order regardless of how many copies you request. Standard mail delivery takes two to three weeks after the county processes your order.

Mail requests require downloading the written application form from the Alameda County website. Complete it and have your signature notarized if you want an authorized copy. Send the form with a check or money order to the Oakland office. Processing takes two to three weeks from when the county receives your request. Delivery adds another few days on top of that.

Authorized vs Informational Copies

California law creates two types of death certificates. The type you can get depends on your relationship to the deceased.

Authorized copies require you to be an immediate family member or other qualified person under Health and Safety Code Section 103526. Eligible individuals include spouse, domestic partner, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, and grandchild. Attorneys representing the estate, court appointed guardians, and government officials on official duty also qualify. You must submit a notarized sworn statement declaring your eligibility under penalty of perjury. Authorized copies can be used for all legal purposes.

Informational copies are available to the general public without proof of relationship or notarization. These copies have a legend stamped across them stating "INFORMATIONAL, NOT A VALID DOCUMENT TO ESTABLISH IDENTITY." They work for genealogy, personal records, and research but cannot be used for legal matters like settling estates or claiming benefits. The fee is the same $28 as an authorized copy.

Processing Times and Availability

How long it takes depends on your ordering method and the age of the record.

Walk in service at the Oakland or Dublin office provides same day results for deaths from 1960 to present. Older records from 1871 to 1959 take up to three business days. Mail and online orders take two to three weeks to process, plus delivery time. Recent deaths need about two weeks after the date of death to become available in the county system. Do not order before that waiting period or the record will not be found.

If you are uncertain whether enough time has passed, call the Alameda County office before ordering. Staff can check if the record is in their system. The local phone number is 510-272-6362 or toll free 888-280-7708. Have the full name and date of death ready when you call.

Old Death Records from Fremont

Alameda County has one of the longest continuous record collections in California. Their files go back to 1871.

For deaths before July 1905, the county is your only option. The state office in Sacramento only maintains records from July 1905 forward. Alameda County keeps pre-1905 records in archives. Staff need extra time to locate and copy these older files, but they remain accessible. Download the same application form and indicate the approximate year if you do not know the exact date.

Some historical Alameda County death records appear on genealogy websites. These are not certified and cannot be used for legal purposes. If you need a certified copy, order through the county office even if you found the record online.

Details Required for Your Request

Gather this information before applying:

• Full name of the person who died
• Date of death or approximate year
• Place of death in Alameda County
• Your name and relationship
• Current mailing address

The more specific your information, the easier it is for county staff to locate the record. If you lack the exact date, provide a range of years. The $28 search fee is kept whether the record is found or not because it covers staff time to look through the indexes and files.

Ordering from the State Office

The California Department of Public Health maintains statewide death records from July 1905 onward. You can order from them instead of the county.

However, the state office takes much longer. The state processing times page shows an average of five to seven weeks. Alameda County processes mail requests in two to three weeks and walk in requests the same day or within three days. The state charges $24 by mail or $26 through VitalChek plus service fees. Alameda County charges $28 with only a $2 online fee if you use their portal.

For Fremont deaths, using Alameda County is faster and more convenient. The county has local offices you can visit and processes requests more quickly. Use the state office only if you are unsure which county the death occurred in or need certificates from multiple California counties at once.

Other Alameda County Cities

Alameda County includes many cities. All use the same county office for death records.

Major cities: Oakland, Hayward, Berkeley

Other cities in Alameda County include San Leandro, Alameda, Livermore, Pleasanton, Newark, Union City, Albany, and Emeryville. Contact Alameda County for death records from any city or unincorporated area within the county.