A very common question, "How many death certificates will I need?"

Financial situations are different for everyone, so it is possible your friend needed 15 copies, but you may only need 3, so why pay for 12 that you don't need.

Check this list, contact your attorney, accountant and stock broker if necessary to get a good count.

We can always order additional certificates for you if necessary.

Certified copies are charged for by the county of death and current prices are listed below.

Attorney (probate, trusts, property transfer, etc)
Bank, Credit Union, other financial institutions
Life Insurance Companies
Dept. of Motor Vehicles
Stock Broker (call and ask for amount needed)
Property Title Transfer (per each county with property owned)
Living Trust
Pension Plan
Social Security (only if survived by spouse/minor children, they do not keep it)
Veterans Administration (1 provided free by State for VA use)
Employer (death benefit, insurance, pension, etc)
Labor Union
Fraternal Organization with Funeral Benefits

As of October 1, 2008 the following counties and charges for each Certified Death Certificate: (Prices subject to change without notice)

Santa Clara County             $12.00
  San Mateo County              $14.00
    San Francisco County         $12.00
      Alameda                              $14.00
City of Berkeley                  $14.00
  Contra Costa County           $15.00
    Santa Cruz County              $12.00
      Monterey County                 $12.00
San Benito County              $12.00