Obtaining A Permit to Scatter Ashes at Sea

Instructions for Obtaining a Permit to Scatter 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 an Ash Scattering Permit

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.
Inform them you need to obtain a permit to scatter ashes at sea and that it needs to contain the phrase: "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 confirmation and for our records.

Contact us if you have any difficulty 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.

Permit Application to Scatter Ashes At Sea

Application for Disposition of Human Remains

Click Image to View Permit Application

Permit Application Form

All our boat charters include a USCG-licensed captain and deck crew.
All ash scatterings at sea require a permit issued by the State of California. If you already have a permit form VS-9 that states “At sea off the coast of Marin County” then that's all we need.
If you still need the permit (see instructions below).

How to Obtain an Ash Scattering Permit

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.
Inform them you need to obtain a permit to scatter ashes at sea and that it needs to contain the phrase: "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 confirmation and for our records.