Access Berkeley Birth Records
Birth records for Berkeley residents have a unique twist compared to most California cities. Berkeley is one of the few cities in the state that operates its own vital records office. For births that occurred within the last two years, you can get a copy directly from the City of Berkeley. Older birth records go through the Alameda County Clerk-Recorder in Oakland instead. This dual system gives Berkeley residents more options than people in most other cities. The city has about 125,000 residents in the East Bay across from San Francisco.
Berkeley Birth Records Quick Facts
City of Berkeley Vital Records Office
Berkeley operates its own vital records office for recent births. This is unusual in California where most cities rely on county offices. If the birth happened within the last two years and took place in Berkeley, you can get a certified copy from the city. This office is part of the Berkeley Public Health Division.
Contact the City of Berkeley Vital Records office using the details below. They handle births from the past two years only.
- Phone: (510) 981-5320
- Address: 1947 Center Street, 2nd Floor, Berkeley, CA 94704
- Hours: Monday through Friday (call for current hours)
The fee for a birth certificate from the City of Berkeley is $33 per copy. This applies to births from within the past two years. For older records, you need to contact Alameda County instead. The city office handles fewer requests than the county, so wait times may be shorter.
The image shows information about the city vital records service. Berkeley residents with recent births can use this local option. It provides a convenient alternative to driving to Oakland for the county office.
Alameda County Clerk-Recorder for Older Records
For births that happened more than two years ago, Alameda County handles the records. The county Clerk-Recorder office in Oakland is about 10 miles south of Berkeley. They have birth records going back decades for anyone born in Alameda County. This includes Berkeley and all other county cities.
Contact information for the Alameda County Clerk-Recorder is listed below. Use this office for births older than two years.
- Phone: (510) 272-6362
- Address: 1106 Madison Street, Oakland, CA 94607
- Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
- Website: acgov.org/auditor/clerk
Birth certificates from Alameda County cost $36 per copy. This is the standard county rate for all requests. Payment can be made by cash, check, or credit card at the counter. Mail orders need a check or money order payable to Alameda County Clerk-Recorder.
The county office is the source for historical Berkeley birth records. They have records going back to the 1800s for births in the county.
Getting a Birth Certificate in Berkeley
Berkeley residents have more options than most Californians for getting birth certificates. The right approach depends on when the birth happened. Recent births go through the city while older ones go through the county.
For births within the last two years, contact the City of Berkeley office. Call them at (510) 981-5320 to ask about their current process. You may be able to visit in person at 1947 Center Street on the 2nd floor. The city fee is $33 per copy. This local option saves a trip to Oakland for recent births.
For births more than two years old, go to the Alameda County Clerk-Recorder in Oakland. The office is on Madison Street near downtown. Bring photo ID and details about the birth. Fill out the application at the counter. Staff search records while you wait. Most people leave within an hour with their copy. The county charges $36 per copy.
Mail requests work for both offices. For the city, call first to confirm their mail procedure. For the county, download the application from their website. Include payment by check or money order. Mail to the appropriate address. Processing takes 2 to 3 weeks plus mail time both ways.
Online ordering through VitalChek is an option for county records. Service fees add to the base rate. This works when you cannot visit in person or mail a check. The California state health department is another source for any birth since 1905.
Who Can Get Berkeley Birth Certificates
California law restricts who can receive an authorized birth certificate. The rules apply whether you request from the city or county. Not everyone qualifies for a certified copy that works as legal ID.
You can get an authorized copy if you are the person named on the certificate. Parents have rights to copies for their children at any age. Legal guardians can request like parents. Spouses and domestic partners qualify. Adult children can get their parents' birth certificates. Grandparents, grandchildren, and siblings are on the approved list. Attorneys for eligible people can make requests. Law enforcement and government agencies access records for official duties.
Anyone not on that list can still get a copy. It will be an informational version with a notice printed on it. The notice says the document cannot establish identity. Informational copies work for family research and genealogy. They do not work for passports, licenses, or official identification.
Identity verification is required for all requests. Bring government-issued photo ID when you visit either office. Mail applicants sign sworn statements under penalty of perjury. False claims about your relationship to the person on the certificate are crimes.
Berkeley Birth Record Resources
Berkeley has strong local resources for vital records. The city health department runs the vital records office. The public library system offers research help. UC Berkeley has historical archives that researchers find valuable.
Alta Bates Summit Medical Center is the main hospital in Berkeley. Babies born there have births registered through the hospital. Staff file paperwork with the appropriate office automatically. For recent births, the city may receive the registration first. Wait at least 4 to 6 weeks after birth before ordering. Records take time to process into the system.
Berkeley has been home to major universities and research institutions for over a century. Many families have lived in the area for generations. Historical birth records can trace family lines back through Berkeley's progressive history. The city archives maintain records about long-time residents.
Legal assistance is available for complex situations. The Alameda County Bar Association has lawyer referrals. Legal Aid of the Bay Area serves low-income residents. Birth certificate corrections, amendments, and adoption matters may need professional help.
UC Berkeley and Birth Records
The University of California, Berkeley has been part of the city since 1873. Many students and staff have had children while living in Berkeley. Births to university families are registered like any other Berkeley birth. The hospital or location of birth determines which office gets the record.
UC Berkeley has its own Tang Center health facility. Births do not occur there but the university can refer students and staff to local resources. The campus has a family housing office that helps new parents navigate local services. This includes information about vital records.
Historical researchers often look for birth records connected to UC Berkeley. Faculty families, student families, and staff all appear in Berkeley vital records over the decades. The Bancroft Library at UC Berkeley has historical materials that complement official records.
Graduate students from around the world attend UC Berkeley. If you were born outside California, you need to contact your birth jurisdiction. The California offices only have records for births that occurred within the state. Foreign birth certificates require contacting that country.
Historical Birth Records in Berkeley
Berkeley incorporated in 1878. Birth records from the early days are in Alameda County files. California began statewide birth registration in July 1905. Records before that date are only in county archives. Documentation practices varied in the 1800s.
Alameda County was formed in 1853. The county has historical records going back to the mid-1800s for some births. Not all births were registered in earlier times. Finding very old records depends on what documentation exists.
The California State Archives holds historical vital records. Records more than 75 years old are open to anyone. Researchers can access these without proving family relationships. Contact the archives at (916) 653-6814 for research assistance with old Berkeley area records.
The Berkeley Historical Society maintains archives about the city. The Berkeley Public Library has local history collections. Church records sometimes contain birth information that government files lack. These sources help genealogy researchers fill gaps.
Nearby Cities for Birth Records
If the birth did not happen in Berkeley, check nearby cities. Several are in Alameda County and use the same county clerk. Others are in different counties with their own offices.
Cities near Berkeley include:
Unsure where a birth occurred? The state health department maintains an index of all California births since 1905. They can identify which county to contact.
More Alameda County Birth Record Info
For complete information about Alameda County birth records, visit our county page. It covers full contact details, current fees, and all ordering methods.