How do I get a copy of a birth certificate?

County Clerk-Recorder (county level - in person, faster) / California Department of Public Health Vital Records (state level - by mail)

Step by Step

How to do it

Determine eligibility: California birth records are restricted. Authorized copies may be obtained by the person named (if 18+), parents, legal guardian, spouse/domestic partner, children, grandparents, grandchildren, siblings, or those with a court order or demonstrated legal interest. Informational copies (marked "INFORMATIONAL, NOT A VALID DOCUMENT") are available to anyone.
Choose your method:
IN PERSON AT COUNTY: Visit the County Clerk-Recorder in the county where the birth was registered - typically faster processing, often same day or within days; fees may vary slightly from state office
BY MAIL TO STATE: Complete Form VS 111, include notarized Sworn Statement (page 3 of form), copy of ID, and payment (check or money order payable to "CDPH Vital Records"); mail to: CDPH Vital Records - MS 5103, P.O. Box 997410, Sacramento, CA 95899-7410; allow 5-7 weeks processing
ONLINE (expedited): Order through VitalChek at cdph.ca.gov or vitalchek.com - additional fees apply
Submit completed application with valid photo ID and notarized Sworn Statement (required for state office orders)
Pay the fee
Receive certificate

Details

What you need to know

Required Docs

Completed application form (VS 111 for state office)
Notarized Sworn Statement (required for state CDPH mail orders - declares you are entitled to receive an authorized copy)
Copy of valid government-issued photo ID
Proof of relationship if requesting on behalf of another person
Payment (check or money order for mail - no cash; card accepted at most county offices and VitalChek)

Fee

$31 per certified copy effective January 1, 2026 (increased from $29 per AB 64); fee retained as search fee if no record found; county fees may vary slightly; online orders add VitalChek processing fees

Processing Time

County office: same day to a few days; CDPH by mail: 5-7 weeks; VitalChek expedited: faster with additional fees

Online Option

Yes - VitalChek at cdph.ca.gov or vitalchek.com

Where to Go

County Clerk-Recorder in the county where the birth was registered (in person - faster); CDPH Vital Records by mail (statewide); VitalChek online

County-specific variations apply

County Clerk-Recorder offices generally process requests faster than the state CDPH office and may have slightly different fees and hours. Larger counties (LA, San Diego, SF, Sacramento) have multiple locations and robust online scheduling. Some counties only maintain records for recent years - check your county's website. For older records, the CDPH maintains the statewide archive.

California Notes

Important state-specific details

IMPORTANT: The CDPH state office requires a notarized Sworn Statement (page 3 of Form VS 111) for mail-in orders - this is unique to California and differs from most states.
Fee increased to $31 effective January 1, 2026 per AB 64 (Chapter 662, Statutes of 2025); fee will decrease by $2 in 2027 when the Umbilical Cord Blood Collection Program fee ends.
County Clerk-Recorder offices can issue certified copies for births registered in California - you don't need to go to the county of birth in most cases.
Informational copies are available to anyone but are NOT valid for legal purposes (passports, driver's licenses, etc.) - must specify "authorized copy" for legal use.
Records maintained since 1905; some pre-1905 records exist at county level.

Official Source

State office contact

State Office

California Department of Public Health Vital Records - cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CHSI/Pages/Vital-Records | (916) 445-2684 | P.O. Box 997410, Sacramento, CA 95899-7410