Get death related documents if you are a funeral home

Death certificates, burial permits and non-contagious disease letters are available in-person or by mail.

What to do

Go to the Department of Public Health, Office of Vital Records

If you are a funeral home or mortuary representative you can apply to get 

  • death certificates
  • burial permits
  • non-contagious disease (NCD) letters
    • To transport human remains to another country, you may need a Letter of Non-Contagious Disease (NCD Letter). For more information, please call the Death Registry Office at (415) 554-2713. 
    • You may also be able to obtain a Non-Contagious Disease Letter from the Office of Medical Examiner for cases under their jurisdiction. 

You can pay by business check, Visa, Mastercard, money order or cash.

To save time, you can bring your completed application or fax to (415) 554-2822.

Department of Public Health

Vital Records
Mortuary Services
101 Grove Street
Room 113
San Francisco, CA 94102

Mon to Fri, 9:00 am to 3:30 pm closed 11:30 am to 1 pm

View location on google maps

Special cases

Emergency Death Registration, Fetal Death Registration and Burial Permits

Emergency Death Registration, Fetal Death Registration and Burial Permits

We offer emergency after-hours, weekend, and holiday filings to accommodate for situations that require interment within 24 hours of death. Emergency death registration requests made over the weekend or on a holiday will be reviewed between the hours of 8 am and 1 pm on holidays or weekends.

Email your request to: emergencydeathregistrations@sfdph.org

For more information, please call the Death Registry Office at (415) 554-2713 during regular business hours: Mon to Friday 9 AM to 11:30 AM and 1 PM to 3:30 PM

Get help

Department of Public Health

Vital Records
Mortuary Services
101 Grove Street
Room 113
San Francisco, CA 94102

Mon to Fri, 9:00 am to 3:30 pm closed 11:30 am to 1 pm

View location on google maps

Phone

Mortuary Services

Call during regular business hours, Mon to Fri, 9 am to 11:30 am and 1 pm to 3:30 pm

Last updated February 7, 2024