Sonoma County · You are not behind · one step at a time

What to Do After Someone Dies in Sonoma County, California

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Primeros pasos en español

No names, Social Security numbers, or account numbers. Use this quietly, save a backup if you need it, and reset progress on a shared device when you are done. View sources.

How PathAfter helps

Use it to find the next right step
  • Answer a few basicsCounty, situation, role, and anything urgent you already know.
  • Get a focused checklistIt separates what needs attention now from what can usually wait.
  • Use scripts and printoutsCopy words for calls, print a handoff sheet, and share tasks with family.

If this is an emergency, call 911 first. After that, use PathAfter to sort the next calls and paperwork.

Find a direct answer

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Search death certificates, cremation, probate, benefits, county offices, documents, and scripts.

Source-backed local snapshot

Sonoma County first-week local resource starting points

These are crawlable starting points from the packaged Sonoma County guide. Call or open the official source before visiting because hours, fees, and procedures can change.

Coroner / medical examiner

Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office — Coroner’s OfficePhone: 707-565-50703336 Chanate Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95404

Use for non-emergency questions when the Sheriff-Coroner is involved after a reportable death. For a death happening now or immediate safety issue, call 911 first.

Open source

Probate court / court help

Sonoma Superior Court — Probate DivisionPhone: 707-521-6650Civil and Family Law Courthouse, 3055 Cleveland Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA 95403

Use later for probate matters, decedent estates, trusts, conservatorships, and probate filings. The court says probate matters are usually conducted at the Civil and Family Law Courthouse.

Open source

Death certificates / vital records

Sonoma County Office of Vital Statistics — Death CertificatesPhone: 707-565-4407625 5th Street, Santa Rosa, CA 95404

Use for death certificate questions and ordering after the death is registered. Sonoma County Office of Vital Statistics lists death certificates at $26.

Open source

Death certificates / vital records

Sonoma County Office of Vital Statistics — Fee SchedulePhone: 707-565-4407625 5th Street, Santa Rosa, CA 95404

Use to verify current certified-copy fee before ordering. Fees can change; confirm on the official site before mailing payment.

Open source

Last checked: 2026-06-26 · 9 source links packaged · Report outdated info · Start the interactive checklist

Sonoma County local next steps

First calls, documents, and questions for this county

Use this county page to organize the first calls. Official offices can change hours, fees, forms, eligibility rules, and procedures, so verify details before you visit, mail forms, or pay fees.

1 · First calls in this county

Start with the office that controls release, records, or the case

  • Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office — Coroner’s Office: call or open the official page if the death was unexpected, unattended, in public, under investigation, or if you are unsure who has the case.
  • Sonoma County Office of Vital Statistics — Death Certificates: use for death certificates, certified copy questions, recorder routing, and current fee or form instructions.
  • Funeral home or cremation provider: ask what they can handle and what you still need to verify with the county.
Open official pageOpen official page

2 · What to ask when you call

Copy this short script

Hi, my name is _____. I am calling about a death in Sonoma County. I am trying to confirm the next step, which office has the case, what documents are needed, and whether I should call the coroner, medical examiner, funeral home, or recorder next.

If the death is happening now or there is any immediate danger, call 911 first.

3 · Documents usually needed

Start one folder before the calls scatter

  • Certified death certificates or the order information for them.
  • Your ID and your relationship or authority, if an office asks.
  • Funeral home or cremation provider contact information.
  • Case number, hospital/facility contact, hospice contact, or agency name if available.
  • Notes showing who you spoke with, what they said, and what to verify next.

Open the app tools

Need to act on this now?

Start checklistLocal contacts and county guidancePhone scriptsDocumentsPrintoutsBills trackerTimelineCommon QuestionsFAQ cluster linksDeath Certificate helpFuneral Home helpMoney/BenefitsHard Situations

Use official pages for current phone numbers, hours, fees, statutes, deadlines, eligibility rules, and office procedures. This page is an organizer, not legal, medical, tax, financial, or government advice.

View the official sources behind this checklist

Most families can skip this. These links are here when you want to verify a rule, office, fee, or county resource.

California sources

    Local county sources

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