Understanding when a permit is required — and how to obtain one — helps ensure everything proceeds smoothly and in compliance with state law.
California law requires a Disposition Permit under the Health & Safety Code before final disposition of human remains may occur.
When Is a Disposition Permit Required in California?
In California, a Disposition Permit must be issued before any final disposition of human remains can legally take place. This includes cremation, ground burial, entombment, transportation of human remains, or burial at sea. The permit confirms that the death certificate has been properly registered and that the state has authorized the intended form of disposition.
A permit is typically required in the following situations:
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- Cremation within California
- Burial in a cemetery or mausoleum
- Scattering cremated remains at sea, including through a licensed burial at sea provider
- Shipping remains into or out of California
- Transporting remains to another state or country
- Disinterment (moving remains from one location to another)
- Placement of cremated remains in multiple locations
If cremated remains are divided and placed in multiple locations, a separate permit may be required for each disposition site.
Most families do not need to obtain this permit themselves, as the funeral home or cremation provider usually handles it as part of the arrangement process. However, individuals managing cremated remains independently — particularly for scattering or burial at sea — may need to secure the permit directly through the county.
How to Obtain a Disposition Permit in San Diego County
In most cases, the funeral home or cremation provider handling arrangements will obtain the Disposition Permit on your behalf. The permit is typically secured after the death certificate has been properly registered and approved by the county.
For families working with Funerals Your Way, this process is handled as part of our services, ensuring all documentation is filed correctly and without delay.
However, individuals may obtain a permit directly from the County of San Diego if they are managing cremated remains independently — for example, arranging a private scattering or coordinating transportation themselves.
Permit Cost
The County of San Diego currently charges $12 per Disposition Permit.
Obtaining the Permit in Person
To obtain a permit in person, you must visit the San Diego County Office of Vital Records and bring:
An Original or Certified Death Certificate, or
An Original Transit/Burial Permit from the state where the death occurred
(Photocopies are not accepted.)
If requesting a permit for burial at sea, inform the county that you need a VS-9 Burial Permit stating:
“at sea off the coast of [County Name] County.”
You will also need:
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- Full legal name of the decedent
- Date of birth
- Date of death
- City of death
- County (if death occurred in California) or State (if outside California)
- Payment by check or money order payable to County of San Diego Public Health Services (cash is not accepted)
Office Location
HHSA Office of Vital Records
3851 Rosecrans Street, Suite 802
San Diego, CA 92110
Obtaining a Disposition Permit by Mail
If you are unable to visit the county office in person, a Disposition Permit may be requested by mail through the County of San Diego.
To apply by mail, you must complete the Application and Permit for Disposition of Human Remains (VS-9 form) available through the county’s website. The form must be filled out completely and accurately in black ink. Corrections, white-out, or incomplete information will result in the application being rejected and returned.
You must include:
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- The completed and signed VS-9 form
- An Original or Certified Death Certificate, or
- An Original Transit/Burial Permit (if the death occurred outside California)
- Payment by check or money order payable to County of San Diego Public Health Services
Photocopies are not accepted. If required documents are missing, the county will return the application without processing the permit.
Mail-in processing times may vary depending on document accuracy and county workload. For time-sensitive arrangements — such as scheduled cremation, transportation, or burial at sea — obtaining the permit in person is often faster.