A method for fabricating a laser diode device includes providing a gallium and nitrogen containing substrate member comprising a surface region, a release material overlying the surface region, an n-type gallium and nitrogen containing material; an active region overlying the n-type gallium and nitrogen containing material, a p-type gallium and nitrogen containing material; and a first transparent conductive oxide material overlying the p-type gallium and nitrogen containing material, and an interface region overlying the first transparent conductive oxide material. The method includes bonding the interface region to a handle substrate and subjecting the release material to an energy source to initiate release of the gallium and nitrogen containing substrate member.