Within how many days must each death be registered with the State?

• A. Within 10 days and subsequent to any disposition
• B. Within 72 hours irrespective of any disposition
• C. Within 8 days and prior to any disposition
• D. Within 5 days and prior to any disposition

Answer: (C)

In California, the death must be registered with the local registrar within eight days after death and before any disposition of the body. This timing ensures a valid death certificate is in place to authorize disposition and to support vital-statistics recording and subsequent legal and administrative needs (estate processing, burial/cremation permits, etc.). The other options either miss the required prior-to-disposition condition or set a different window that isn’t aligned with the law.