Form VS 113 is the Spanish-language application that the Office of Vital Statistics of the Sonoma County Department of Health Services uses to take requests for a certified copy, or a certified informational copy, of a death certificate. It covers people who died in 2025 and 2026 only; earlier deaths are handled by the Sonoma County Clerk. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the county publishes the original at the official link below.
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What is VS 113?
Form VS 113 is the Spanish-language application used to request a certified copy, or a certified informational copy, of a death certificate from the Sonoma County Office of Vital Statistics for people who died in 2025 or 2026.
The Office of Vital Statistics is part of the Sonoma County Department of Health Services and is located at 463 Aviation Blvd, Santa Rosa, CA 95403. The form has three sections (decedent, applicant, and the type of copy with the applicant's relationship to the decedent) and a second page with a sworn statement (DECLARACION JURADA) and a notary certificate of acknowledgment.
The form explains why access is limited: as part of a state effort to reduce identity theft, California Health and Safety Code section 103526 lets only authorized persons obtain certified copies. People who are not authorized can ask for a certified informational copy instead. The county describes it as a copy that cannot be used for legal purposes, marked "Informational, not a Valid Document to Establish Identity."
This office holds death records only for deaths in 2025 and 2026. For earlier years, the form points to the County Clerk, 585 Fiscal Drive, Suite 103, Santa Rosa, CA 95403, tel. 707-565-2651, www.sonomacounty.gov/clerk. The county's death certificate page adds that the Office of Vital Statistics can help prepare or request an amendment to a death certificate for all years of death; that is a separate request from this application.
Who needs to file VS 113?
Anyone who needs a copy of a death certificate for a person who died in 2025 or 2026 in Sonoma County uses this form. What you check in Section 3 depends on who you are.
For a certified copy, you must be one of the authorized persons the form lists:
- a parent, legal guardian or conservator of the decedent (a guardian or conservator must show documentation);
- a person or entity authorized by a court order (include a copy of the order);
- a member of a law enforcement or other government agency authorized by law to conduct official business (the agency must show written authorization);
- a child, grandparent, sibling, spouse or domestic partner of the person named on the death record;
- the closest surviving relative, as specified in Health and Safety Code section 7100;
- an attorney representing the decedent or the decedent's estate, or another person or agency authorized by court order;
- a funeral home director or employee requesting copies on behalf of a specific person under section 7100;
- a person with rights under a power of attorney, or the executor.
If you are not on that list, check the informational copy box instead; you then complete Sections 1 and 2 only and do not sign the sworn statement.
Do not use this form for deaths before 2025; those records are with the County Clerk.
When to file VS 113
The form has no deadline. You submit it whenever you need a copy of the death certificate of a person who died in 2025 or 2026, since the Office of Vital Statistics holds records for those two years only; for earlier years, contact the County Clerk.
The office is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and closed from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. Those hours also apply to telephone card payments for faxed requests, which the form gives in Pacific time.
If you want to pick up the certificate at the office, write a legible phone number on the form so staff can call you when it is ready. The form and the county's page state no processing time.
Documents you need
- Photo identification, shown when you apply in person for a certified copy.
- The sworn statement (DECLARACION JURADA) on page 2, signed in front of office staff when applying in person, or before a notary public when applying by mail or fax.
- A copy of the court order, if you check the box for a person or entity authorized by a court order.
- Documentation of your status, if you apply as a legal guardian or conservator of the decedent.
- Written authorization to obtain the record, if you apply for a government agency.
- A sworn statement that names each decedent and your relationship to each, if you request certified copies for several people on one notarized statement.
- A check or money order for mailed requests, payable as the form instructs; card payments are given by phone.
How to fill out VS 113
Decide certified or informational copy
In Section 3, choose between buying a certified copy and the certified informational copy, which is not valid to establish identity. For the informational copy you complete only Sections 1 and 2.
Enter the decedent's name
In Section 1, print the decedent's first name, middle name and last name or surnames, in block letters.
Add death details
Enter the date of death, sex and city of death, then the full names of the decedent's father and mother.
Choose mailing or office pickup
Under the line asking if the record is ready, mark the box to have it mailed or to pick it up at the office. For pickup, include a legible phone number.
Enter your applicant information
In Section 2, print your first and last name, your address and ZIP code, your phone number and the number of certificates you request. Add a different mailing address if the copies go elsewhere.
Mark your relationship
For a certified copy, check the one Section 3 box that describes you, such as a child, spouse, attorney or funeral director. Leave the office-use blocks blank.
Mark the card type if paying by card
If you pay by credit card, check Visa, MasterCard or Discover on the form. Do not write the card number on a mailed or faxed form; give it by phone.
Complete the sworn statement
On page 2, print your full name, the decedent's name and your relationship, then the date, city and state. Sign it in front of office staff, or before a notary public if you apply by mail or fax.
Have the notary complete the certificate
For mailed or faxed requests, the notary fills in the state, county, date, name and title, and signs with a seal. Leave this block to the notary.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check that the death year is 2025 or 2026 and that every section matches the copy type you chose. Download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and send it as described under How to submit.
How to submit VS 113
You can submit Form VS 113 in person, by mail or by fax to the Office of Vital Statistics, 463 Aviation Blvd, Santa Rosa, CA 95403 (tel. 707-565-4407, fax 707-565-4413).
- In person: go to 463 Aviation Blvd, Santa Rosa, CA, show photo identification and sign the sworn statement in front of office staff. Payment is accepted by cash, check, money order or Visa, MasterCard or Discover card.
- By mail: send the completed form with the sworn statement signed before a notary public. Enclose a check or money order made payable to Sonoma County Health Department, as the form instructs, and mail it to: Office of Vital Statistics, 463 Aviation Blvd, Santa Rosa, CA 95403. To pay by card, call 707-565-4407 instead.
- By fax: fax the notarized form to 707-565-4413, then call 707-565-4407 to give your Visa, MasterCard or Discover number. The certified copy is mailed once the transaction is complete.
A fee applies for each copy, certified or informational; the amount is printed on the form and the county's death certificate page, so confirm it with the office. The notary is not required for law enforcement or local or state agencies, or for funeral directors ordering for specific persons under paragraphs (1) to (5) of section 7100(a). FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Requesting a record for a death before 2025 from this office; those records are with the County Clerk, and the form says California law lets the office keep the payment when the record is not registered with it.
- Mailing or faxing the sworn statement without a notary public's acknowledgment, when the request is not from a law enforcement, local or state agency.
- Signing the sworn statement ahead of time when you apply in person; the form requires signing in front of Office of Vital Statistics staff.
- Checking a relationship box in Section 3 without being one of the authorized persons, instead of choosing the informational copy.
- Omitting the copy of the court order when you check the court-order box.
- Sending cash by mail; the form asks for a check or money order, or a card payment arranged by phone.
- Writing the check to the wrong payee; the form says to make it payable to Sonoma County Health Department.
- Faxing the form and not calling 707-565-4407 with your card number, which the form requires to complete a faxed request.
- Using one notarized sworn statement for several decedents without listing each name and relationship.
- Leaving your phone number blank when you plan to pick the certificate up at the office.
Frequently asked questions
What is Form VS 113 used for?
Form VS 113 is the Spanish-language application to the Sonoma County Office of Vital Statistics for a certified copy, or a certified informational copy, of a death certificate. It covers only people who died in 2025 and 2026.
Is Form VS 113 a Sonoma County property tax form?
No. It is a vital records request for a death certificate, issued by the Office of Vital Statistics of the Sonoma County Department of Health Services. It has no connection to Sonoma County property tax, which this page does not cover.
Where do I get a Sonoma County death certificate from before 2025?
From the County Clerk, 585 Fiscal Drive, Suite 103, Santa Rosa, CA 95403, tel. 707-565-2651, www.sonomacounty.gov/clerk. The Office of Vital Statistics holds death records only for 2025 and 2026.
Who can get a certified copy of a death certificate in Sonoma County?
Only authorized persons under California Health and Safety Code section 103526, such as a parent, child, spouse, domestic partner, sibling, grandparent, attorney, executor or funeral director. Others can request an informational copy, which cannot establish identity.
Do I need a notary to request a death certificate by mail?
Yes, for a certified copy by mail or fax the sworn statement must be notarized. Law enforcement and local or state agencies are exempt, and funeral directors ordering for specific persons under section 7100(a), paragraphs (1) to (5), do not need a notary.
Can I order a Sonoma County death certificate by fax?
Yes. Fax the notarized form to 707-565-4413, then call 707-565-4407 with your Visa, MasterCard or Discover number. The office mails the certified copy after the transaction is completed.
How do I pay for a death certificate copy?
A fee applies per copy. In person you can pay by cash, check, money order or card. By mail, send a check or money order payable as the form instructs, or call 707-565-4407 to pay by card. Confirm the amount with the office.
Can I fill out Form VS 113 online?
You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is independent of Sonoma County and does not submit the form; you deliver it to the Office of Vital Statistics by mail, fax or in person.
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