Death Certificates & Personal Property

Death Certificates

Death certificates may be ordered through the funeral home selected by the next of kin to make final arrangements for the decedent. There will be a fee for certified copies of a death certificate. Fees may vary, so please contact the appropriate office below.

If the death occurred within the past six weeks, a death certificate may be obtained from the Vital Statistics Unit of the Napa County Department of Health and Human Services at 707-253-4506. Death certificates older than six weeks may be obtained from the Napa County Clerk-Recorder's Office at 707-253-4246.

Personal Property

A deceased person's property may be claimed at the Coroner's Office, at 1535 Airport Boulevard, Napa, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. - excluding County holidays.

In accordance with federal and state bloodborne pathogen laws and standards, clothing or other items contaminated with blood or body fluids are disposed of unless the item has obvious significant value. The bloodborne pathogen laws and standards were established to protect our staff as well as the general public.

The next of kin must sign in person for all remaining property or give written authorization for another person to receive the property. California Probate Code §8461 establishes a hierarchy of next-of kin or persons to whom property and estate holdings can be released.

Priority Estate Order

Priority to administer an estate is as follows:

  1. Surviving spouse or domestic partner
  2. Children
  3. Grandchildren
  4. Other issue (great-grandchildren, etc.)
  5. Parents
  6. Brothers and sisters
  7. Issue of brothers and sisters
  8. Grandparents
  9. Issue of grandparents
  10. Children of a predeceased spouse or domestic partner
  11. Other issue of a predeceased spouse or domestic partner
  12. Other next of kin
  13. Parents of a predeceased spouse or domestic partner
  14. Conservator or guardian of the estate acting in that capacity at the time of death who has filed a first account and is not acting as conservator or guardian for any other person
  15. Public Administrator