Search California Birth Records
California birth records are kept by the state health department and county clerk-recorder offices. The California Department of Public Health has records for births since July 1905. County offices may have older records going back further. You can search California birth certificates online, by mail, or in person. This guide shows you how to find and get copies of birth records across California. We cover state and local options so you can pick the best way to search for the birth record you need.
California Birth Records Quick Facts
Where to Find California Birth Certificates
The California Department of Public Health Vital Records office is the main source for birth certificates in the state. They keep a copy of every birth that happened in California since July 1905. You can order from them by mail or online through approved vendors. The state office does not have a public counter right now. All requests go through mail or the web.
The CDPH Vital Records website shows how to get certified copies of California birth records. You can view the main request page to learn about the process and what forms you need to fill out.
The site walks you through each step. It tells you what info to include and how to pay. Processing takes several weeks by mail.
County clerk-recorder offices also issue birth certificates in California. Each of the 58 counties has its own office that keeps local birth records. Many county offices have records that go back before 1905. If you need an older birth record, the county where the birth took place is your best bet. Some counties let you order online. Others require you to visit in person or send a mail request. Fees range from $29 to $40 depending on the county you contact for California birth records.
How to Order Birth Records in California
You have several ways to get a California birth certificate. Online ordering is the fastest option for most people. You can also order by mail or go to a county office in person. Each method has pros and cons. Pick the one that fits your needs and timeline.
VitalChek is the approved online vendor for California birth records. They process orders for the state health department. The screenshot below shows the VitalChek portal where you can start your order for a California birth certificate.
VitalChek adds a service fee on top of the state fee. The total comes to about $31 per copy through their site. Orders ship in 2 to 4 weeks depending on how you want it sent.
Mail orders go straight to the state office in Sacramento. You need to fill out the VS 111 form and include payment. Send it to the CDPH Vital Records address listed on their contact page. Mail orders take 10 to 15 business days to process. Add time for mail both ways. Rush service is not available through the state office for California birth records.
The CDPH contact page has the mailing address and phone number if you have questions. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 4 PM Pacific Time.
Call them at (916) 445-2684 if you need help with your order.
California Birth Record Forms
The state provides official forms for requesting birth certificates. The main form is the VS 111, which is the Application for Certified Copy of Birth Record. You can download this from the CDPH forms library page shown below.
The forms page also has a Spanish version called VS 111 SP. Other forms cover special cases like amending a birth record or requesting sealed records. The library has everything you need to work with California birth records through the state office.
To fill out the VS 111 form, you need to provide the following:
- Full name on the birth certificate
- Date of birth
- Place of birth in California
- Mother's maiden name
- Father's name if on record
- Your relationship to the person
- Reason for the request
The form must be signed. If you want an authorized copy, you need to have your signature notarized. A notary outside the United States must have an apostille attached to the document.
Authorized vs Informational Birth Certificates
California issues two types of birth certificate copies. Authorized copies can be used as legal ID. Informational copies cannot. The type you get depends on who you are and your relationship to the person named on the record.
Under Health and Safety Code Section 103526, only certain people can get an authorized copy of a California birth record. The list includes the person named on the certificate, their parents, legal guardians, children, grandparents, grandchildren, siblings, spouse, or domestic partner. An attorney or court-appointed representative can also request one. Law enforcement and government agencies get access for official business.
If you are not on the authorized list, you will get an informational copy. It looks almost the same but has words printed across the face that say "INFORMATIONAL, NOT A VALID DOCUMENT TO ESTABLISH IDENTITY." This copy still proves a birth took place. You just cannot use it for things like getting a passport or driver's license in California.
California Birth Registration Laws
California law requires all live births to be registered. The hospital or birth attendant files the paperwork with the local registrar. From there it goes to the state. This process must happen within 21 days of the birth under Health and Safety Code Section 102400.
This law makes sure there is a record of every birth in the state. The state keeps these records permanently.
New birth certificates are not ready right away. It takes about 3 to 6 weeks after a birth for the record to show up in the state system. If you order too soon, you may get a Certificate of No Public Record. The fee is still charged even when no record is found. Wait at least 21 days before ordering a new California birth certificate.
The main body of California vital records law is in the Health and Safety Code. You can browse the full code on the state legislature website shown below.
The code covers birth registration, who can get copies, privacy rules, fees, and penalties for fraud. It gives the legal framework for how California handles birth records.
California Vital Records Office Overview
The CDPH Vital Records program handles all vital records for the state. This includes births, deaths, marriages, and domestic partnerships. The main landing page gives an overview of all their services for California residents.
From there you can navigate to specific record types. The site explains the difference between authorized and informational copies. It also lists approved third-party vendors like VitalChek that can process online orders. This is a good starting point when you need any vital record from California.
The mailing address for all vital records requests is California Department of Public Health, Vital Records MS 5103, P.O. Box 997410, Sacramento, CA 95899-7410. For courier delivery, use 1501 Capitol Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95814. Include the MS 5103 code so your request goes to the right department.
Historical Birth Records in California
The California State Archives has historical vital records for genealogy research. Their collection includes birth records from 28 counties. Many of these records are more than 75 years old. Records older than 75 years are open to anyone without restriction.
The archives can help you find older California birth records that may not be in the state health department system. Contact them at (916) 653-6814 or email ArchivesWeb@sos.ca.gov to ask about their holdings.
For births before July 1905, you need to contact the county where the birth occurred. Some California counties have records going back to the 1850s. The county clerk-recorder can tell you what records they have and how to request copies. Fees and availability vary by county.
California Birth Certificate Fees
The state fee for a birth certificate from CDPH is $29 per copy. This is the base cost before any service fees from online vendors. VitalChek charges about $2 extra on top of the state fee. Credit card fees may also apply when you order online.
County fees vary across California. Most counties charge between $29 and $36 for a birth certificate. Some counties have extra fees for credit card payments or online processing. A few counties charge up to $40 per copy. Check with the specific county clerk-recorder for current fees before you order.
As of January 1, 2026, Assembly Bill 64 added a small fee increase in some counties. The exact amount depends on which county you contact. This change affects counties that had fees below the new minimum.
Browse California Birth Records by County
Each county in California has a clerk-recorder office that handles local birth records. Select a county below to find contact info, fees, and instructions for getting birth certificates in that area.
Birth Records in Major California Cities
Most California cities do not issue their own birth certificates. Residents go to the county clerk-recorder for birth records. However, a few cities have their own vital records offices. Long Beach, Berkeley, Pasadena, and San Francisco handle some birth certificates directly. Select a city below for local birth record information.