Death is the final destination in anyone’s life, but we all hope that the event itself will be calm and peaceful. Sadly, that’s not the case for people who die from unusual circumstances, like homicide, suicide, or an unexpected accident. Cases of unnatural death in Tulare County, California must be investigated by the Coroner’s Office at:
1225 S O St
Tulare, CA 93274
(559) 687-7000
A coroner’s investigation can take anywhere from a couple of weeks to several months depending on many issues that are specific to the incident and the injuries sustained by the victim. Once the coroner concludes their investigation, family members can finally have answers as to how their loved one passed away. In addition, they can order a death certificate from Tulare County and settle their family member’s estate.
People generally assume that they can get a copy of a death certificate from Tulare County coroner’s office after a cause of death is issued. However, this is not the agency that’s responsible for the release of death certificates. The agency in charge of vital documents in Tulare County is the County Clerk’s Office.
There are various ways to receive a copy of your loved one’s death certificate, which we will go over in this article. We will also provide information on various topics which may be of interest to you as someone whose family member or spouse died from negligent circumstances. However, you are likely to have many questions and concerns about your rights and legal options. That’s why we invite you to contact us and schedule a time to speak with a wrongful death lawsuit attorney.
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How to Get a Certified Copy of a Death Certificate from Tulare County
If you are interested in obtaining a copy of a death certificate from Tulare County, you can do one of two things: 1) visit the office in person at 221 South Mooney Boulevard. Visalia, California 93291 during Mon-Fri, 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM or 2) mail the completed form (which you can download on the county website) to the office with the required payment and supporting documentation.
You can also contact the Clerk-Recorder’s Office at (559) 636-5050 if you have further questions on how to order a copy of a death certificate from Tulare County after an accident. One other tip that may be helpful is to call the office ahead of time to ensure that the death certificate you need is on file. This will save you from making an unnecessary trip down to the office when you have many other responsibilities to deal with after a loved one’s death.
Ordering a Death Certificate Online
Most transactions are done online these days, and if this is how you generally pay for things, you may have questions on how to order a copy of a death certificate online from Tulare County. You can place online order for death records through Vitalchek.com. This is more convenient than going to the County Clerk’s during their limited office hours. However, there are additional fees aside from the cost of each copy the death certificate charged by Tulare County. In addition, you won’t necessarily receive a Tulare County accident death certificate any faster using this method, since the records still have to be released by the county office. That brings us to an important question: How much does it cost to get a Tulare County death certificate after an accident?
How Much Does it Cost to Get a Copy of a Death Certificate from Tulare County?
Tulare County charged $24 for each copy of a death certificate, no matter how you place the order. Of course, there may be additional mailing fees based on the service you are using. VitalChek charges their own fees for the processing of online orders for Tulare County death certificates. This is a considerable cost when you think about the fact that most families need multiple certified copies of a death certificate.
In a later section, we will discuss the options that may be available to you if you are unable to afford copies of a certified death certificate from the Tulare County Vital Records Office. For now, let’s go over the estimated timeline to receive copies of a death certificate following the placement of an order online or through the mail.
How Long Does it Take to Get a Death Certificate from Tulare County?
It takes around one week to receive a certified copy of a death certificate from Tulare County if you place the order by visiting the County Clerk’s Office. Many counties process the order on-site, so you can leave with the certificate the same day. Unfortunately, this service is not offered by the Tulare County Vital Statistics Office. Thus, you will need to wait for the copy of the death certificate to arrive by mail, which normally takes a few days. Of course, this all depends on how fast the county processes your order.
Sometimes, it can take up to several weeks to get a death certificate for an accidental death in Tulare County. It’s even more frustrating when you’re unable to get answers as to why it’s taking so long to receive your order. These and many other obstacles can prevent people from taking legal action against the party that’s responsible for their loved one’s death.
The wrongful death lawsuit attorneys of Normandie are ready to help you during this difficult chapter in your life. We have decades of experience in compensation claims for negligent death cases, and know what it takes to achieve justice for the family members that are left behind. For a free consultation with a California accidental death attorney, contact us immediately.
Can I get a Free Copy of the Death Certificate from the Funeral Director?
This is a question we are frequently asked during phone calls and private consultations. Technically, the answer is yes, you can ask the funeral director for a copy of your family member’s death certificate. In fact, they will likely offer you a copy at no additional cost as part of the services to bury or cremate the decedent.
However, a death certificate is not particularly helpful when it doesn’t have the official cause of death. Most families hold funerals fairly soon after someone is deceased, and county coroners can often release enough of the remains for a funeral while they continue to investigate a suspicious or violent death. But you will still have to wait for their findings and order a copy of the death certificate with the cause of death.
This is necessary to take care of many assets that belong to the decedent’s estate. Banks, life insurance companies, pension fund managers, and other entities generally require a cause of death in order to close accounts of release funds to the beneficiary / estate. You must also need an official cause of death before you can proceed with a wrongful death compensation claim. That’s why it’s necessary to pay for a certified copy of the death certificate, even if you receive a free copy from the funeral director.
Many people that have lost someone to an accident are struggling financially, and as a result, we are often asked, “Is there a way to get a free death certificate from Tulare County?” This may be something we can help you with if you have grounds for a wrongful death lawsuit. If you believe that negligence or misconduct is the reason your loved one passed away, it’s possible that we can obtain a free copy of the death certificate as evidence for your lawsuit. We are happy to help in any way possible, so contact our legal team 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Normandie Law Firm is Here for You
As the surviving family member of an accident victim, you probably have the following questions on your mind:
- Can a family member get a copy of a death certificate from Tulare County?
- What can I do if I can’t afford to pay for a funeral?
- What are my rights if my family member was killed by an accident that was caused by someone else?
- If I am facing financial hardship, can I get a death certificate for free from Tulare County?
The wrongful death compensation lawyers of Normandie are standing by to assist you, so call us right away if you would like to learn more about your rights and legal options. We provide free legal services under the Zero Fee Guarantee, so you pay nothing out of pocket to imitate a lawsuit. Or, if you are considering the possibility of switching your lawyer, please schedule a free second opinion by contacting our office.
No matter what, you won’t be responsible for any legal fees. We receive payment from the defendant as a condition of winning your case. If we fail to recover your settlement, there is zero out-of-pocket cost to you, since we shouldn’t get paid unless you get paid.
Please take this opportunity to give a call if you lost a spouse, registered domestic partner or family member due to negligence by another individual or entity.
Other Pages on Our Website Related to This Topic
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How to get a Copy of a Death Certificate from Stanislaus County
