Bakersfield Birth Records Access

Birth records for Bakersfield residents are maintained by Kern County. The city does not operate its own vital records office. All birth certificate requests for people born in Bakersfield go through the Kern County Assessor-Recorder. Bakersfield is the county seat and the largest city in the southern San Joaquin Valley. Major hospitals like Kern Medical and Mercy Hospital Bakersfield register births with the county. The Assessor-Recorder keeps these records on file and issues certified copies upon request.

Kern County Assessor-Recorder Office

Bakersfield is in Kern County. The Assessor-Recorder office handles vital records for the entire county. Birth, death, and marriage certificates are all processed through this office. When you need a Bakersfield birth certificate, the county is your destination.

As the county seat, Bakersfield hosts the main county offices. This is convenient for local residents who need to visit in person. The office is in downtown Bakersfield near other government buildings.

Kern County covers a large geographic area. It extends from the mountains to the desert. All births anywhere in the county go through the same office. Whether the birth was in Bakersfield, Ridgecrest, or any other Kern County community, the Assessor-Recorder has the record.

How to Get a Bakersfield Birth Certificate

You have several options for requesting a birth certificate. Online, mail, and in-person methods are available. Pick the one that fits your needs and timeline.

Online ordering works through the county website. Visit kerncounty.com and navigate to the Assessor-Recorder section. The site has information about vital records including birth certificates. You can submit requests electronically through their system. Processing takes about 5 to 10 business days before shipping.

VitalChek is another online option. They process orders for Kern County vital records. Their platform may be familiar if you have used it before. Service fees add to the base cost. Total through VitalChek runs about $40 to $45. Various shipping speeds are available.

Mail requests can be sent to the county office. Get the application form from the website or call to have one mailed to you. Fill it out with all the birth details. Include payment by check or money order. Processing takes 2 to 4 weeks plus mail transit time.

In-person visits provide the fastest service. Go to the Assessor-Recorder office in Bakersfield during business hours. Bring ID and birth information. Fill out the form, pay the fee, and wait for processing. Same-day pickup is often possible depending on how busy the office is.

Kern County Office Contact Information

The Assessor-Recorder office is in downtown Bakersfield. The address is 1115 Truxtun Avenue. This is the main county administrative area. Parking is available nearby.

Call 661-868-6400 for questions about birth records. Staff can answer questions about fees, processing times, and what documents you need. They cannot search records over the phone or confirm specific records exist.

The county website has detailed information about vital records. You can find forms, fee schedules, and instructions. The site explains what is needed for different types of requests.

Office hours are Monday through Friday during typical government hours. Check the website for exact times and holiday closures. Arriving early usually means shorter waits.

What You Need to Request a Certificate

A successful birth certificate request requires accurate information. Have these details ready before you start. Missing or wrong info causes delays.

Full name at birth is essential. Use the name on the original record, not a changed name. Date of birth helps narrow the search. Include day, month, and year. Place of birth should be Bakersfield or the hospital name if known.

Parent information helps verify the record. Mother's maiden name and father's full name are on most birth certificates. These details distinguish between people with similar names and birth dates.

Valid ID is required for in-person pickup. Bring a driver's license, passport, or state ID. California law limits who can get authorized birth certificates. Eligible people include the person named, parents, guardians, children, grandparents, grandchildren, siblings, spouse, and domestic partners. Others receive informational copies not valid for ID purposes.

Bakersfield Birth Certificate Fees

Kern County charges $31 per certified copy. This is close to the state minimum fee. The cost covers the search and one certified copy of the birth record.

Online orders have extra fees. VitalChek adds processing charges. Credit card fees apply. Total online cost runs about $40 to $50 depending on the vendor and shipping choice.

The county office accepts cash, check, money order, and credit cards at the counter. Mail requests accept check or money order only. Make payment to Kern County Assessor-Recorder.

No refunds are given if a record is not found. The fee pays for the search itself. Make sure your information is accurate before paying to avoid wasting money.

How Long Processing Takes

Timing depends on how you submit your request. In-person visits at the Bakersfield office can result in same-day pickup. Processing takes about 30 minutes to an hour. Busy periods mean longer waits.

Mail requests take 2 to 4 weeks total. The county processes within about 10 business days. Mail transit adds time. If you have a deadline, plan ahead or choose a faster method.

Online orders process in 5 to 10 business days at the county. Shipping time adds to that. Standard mail is about a week. Express options cut delivery time if you pay extra.

New births take time to enter the system. Hospitals file paperwork first. The county then processes it. Wait 3 to 6 weeks after a birth before ordering. Ordering too soon results in no record found, and the fee is still charged.

Old Bakersfield Birth Records

Kern County has birth records from the early 1900s. Statewide registration began July 1905. Some county records may exist from before that date. The Assessor-Recorder can check their holdings for older records.

The California State Archives has historical vital records too. Records over 75 years old are open to the public. Genealogy researchers can access them without proving any relationship to the person named.

For very old records, multiple sources may help. The county, state archives, and genealogy databases each have different materials. Be flexible with name spellings when searching old records.

Nearby Cities in the Central Valley

Other cities in Kern County use the same office for birth records. Ridgecrest, Tehachapi, and Wasco all go through the Kern County Assessor-Recorder. The process is identical to Bakersfield.

Cities in other counties have different offices. Fresno is in Fresno County to the north. Los Angeles is in LA County to the south. Know where the birth happened before submitting a request.

If you live in Bakersfield but were born elsewhere, contact the county of birth. Residence does not change where birth records are filed. The location of birth is what determines which office has your record.