Burial Permits

California law requires a burial permit prior to disposition of human remains.  Disposition may include burial, cremation, and scattering of human remains.

Pursuant to Health and Safety Codes (H&SC) 7501 and 103060 any person having the right to control the disposition of remains may apply to the local registrar for a permit.  Health and Safety Code (H&SC) 7100 specifies the following persons as having the right to control disposition, following in the ordered named:

1. Agent under a power of attorney for health care who has the right and duty of disposition.
2. Competent surviving spouse.
3. Sole surviving competent adult child.
4. Surviving competent parent or parents.
5. Surviving competent adult sibling.
6. Surviving competent adult person or persons in the next degree of kinship.
7. Conservator of the person.
8. Conservator of the estate.
9. Public Administrator.

Further, a funeral director or cemetery authority shall have complete authority to control the disposition of human remains when none of the persons described above exists per H&SC 7100.1A.

Fee Schedule

Fees fixed by State legislation:

• Disposition Permit $13.00

How to apply for a burial permit

1. Apply online
2. Apply in-person

Online

• Send an email requesting an application for Disposition of Human Remains
  • Provide your name and contact information
• Complete the application that will be provided to you and submit it to the above email
• Submit supporting documents which include the certified copy of the death certificate or previous authorized permit
• A rough draft of the permit will be sent to your email for proofing.  Once you confirm all of the information, sign and date the document and email it back to this office
• Upon approval by this office, the finalized permit will be signed and sent to you via email with instructions on how to proceed

In-Person

• We accept applications for Disposition of Humans Remains at our office located at:

Office of Vital Records
4065 County Circle Dr., #102
Riverside, CA 92503

• Processing times are from 8:00 am -3:00 pm
• No appointment is necessary.  However, wait times vary depending on availability at the time you arrive to apply
• Complete application and pay the fee
• Submit supporting documents which include the certified copy of the death certificate or the previous authorized permit
• Upon approval by this office, the finalized permit will be issued on the same day

If you need to speak with a Vital Records staff member, please call (951) 358-5068 or email us.