- Check Online Obituaries. The first way to see if someone has passed away is by searching for online obituary. …
- Search Social Media. …
- Use a Genealogy or Historical Site. …
- Look for Government Records. …
- Search Newspapers. …
- Visit the Local Courthouse. …
- Talk to Family Members. …
- Go to an Archive Facility.
Are death records public?
More often than not, death records are open to the public. Pursuant to federal statutes, general death-related information may be disseminated to persons who are 18 or older.
How can you find out if someone has died for free?
Fortunately, the Social Security Administration maintains a free and easily accessed database of virtually every death in the United States. Visit the web page for the Social Security Death Index (SSDI). Enter the information about the person you’re searching for in the SSDI search box.
How do I find death records in California?
You can order certified copies of death certificates from 1905 to the present from the California Department of Health – Vital Records and from the county recorder’s office for the county where the death took place. You can also order them online through VitalChek.
Can you read death certificates online?
You can search most state archives online and easily access them from the comfort of your own home. These searches are also free. State archives often have death certificates that date to the founding of their state and beyond in some cases.
Can anyone get a copy of a death certificate?
Not everyone can obtain a copy of the death certificate. Most typically, only certain people can request this record with few questions asked: The executor or administrator of the estate. Immediate family: spouse, parent, child, sibling.
How much is a death certificate in California?
If you need to order California Death Certificates can be obtained in the county where the death occurred. The cost is $21 per copy and requires a notarized authorization form. Depending on the method used for ordering, a third-party service fee may be charged when ordering California Death Certificates.