Obtaining a Permit for Scattering Ashes at Sea

Scattering Ashes at Sea off the Coast of California Requires a County Permit Vs-9

A death certificate or transit permit is required in order to obtain the California permit. 

How to Obtain the Permit Yourself

• Contact the Marin County Office of Vital Statistics  -  the office is located at  10 N. San Pedro  Road  San Rafael, CA 94903 or Call them at  (415) 473-6876.
• Tell them you need to obtain a permit to scatter ashes at sea and that it needs to state "Scattering ashes at sea off the coast of Marin County."
• It will cost $12.00.
• Once you receive your permit please email a copy to us for confimation and for our records.

Contact us if you have any difficuly obtaining a permit or need assistance.

Unusual cases: If  the deceased was an American citizen and died abroad, you will receive a  document entitled "Report of an American Citizen Who Died Abroad" from  the Embassy. This original document can also be used to apply for the  permit.

If  the death certificate is in a language other than English, the County  will require a Certified Translation in addition to the original death  certificate.