Search Carson Birth Records
Birth records for Carson residents are managed by the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk. Carson does not have its own vital records office. The city is located in the South Bay region of Los Angeles County, about 13 miles south of downtown LA. Around 96,000 people live in Carson. The county office handles all birth certificate requests for the area. You can get copies by visiting a county office in person, ordering by mail, or using the online system.
Carson Birth Records Quick Facts
Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder for Carson
Carson is part of Los Angeles County. The LA County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk handles vital records for all cities in the county. This includes birth certificates. The office has records for births that took place in Carson. Los Angeles County is the most populous county in the United States. Over 10 million people live there. The county has several locations where you can request vital records.
The main vital records office is in Norwalk. From Carson, the drive takes about 15 to 25 minutes heading east on the 91 freeway. This location is the headquarters for LA County vital records. It handles the most requests and has the most staff. Other branch offices may also provide birth certificate services.
Here is how to contact LA County vital records:
- Phone: (562) 462-2137
- Address: 12400 Imperial Highway, Norwalk, CA 90650
- Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Website: lavote.gov/vital-records
The county charges $34 per copy of a birth certificate. Additional copies are $34 each. Payment options include cash, check, money order, and credit card. Some branch locations may have different payment options. Check before you visit.
How Carson Residents Order Birth Certificates
Carson residents have three ways to get a birth certificate. Pick the method that fits your schedule and needs.
Going to the office in person is the quickest way. Drive to the Norwalk location or another LA County branch. Bring a valid photo ID. Fill out the application form at the counter. Staff will search for the record while you wait. If found, you walk out with your certified copy that day. Most visits take 30 minutes to an hour. Busy days take longer. Try coming early in the morning or midweek for shorter waits.
Mail orders work if an office visit is not possible. Download the application from the county website. Complete all the required sections. Mail it with your payment to the address listed. Use a check or money order made out to the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder. The county needs 4 to 6 weeks to process mail requests. Add postal delivery time on both ends. You might wait 6 to 8 weeks total.
Online ordering is available through the county website and VitalChek. You enter the birth information on the site. Pay by credit card. Service fees apply on top of the county fee. Total cost is higher than ordering direct. But it saves you a trip to the office. Orders ship in 2 to 4 weeks. Rush shipping options cost extra.
VitalChek guides you through the order. Enter what they ask for and complete payment. They handle the rest and mail you the copy when ready.
LA County Branch Offices Near Carson
Los Angeles County has multiple office locations. The Norwalk main office is closest to Carson for vital records. But other branches may offer services too. The county website lists all locations with hours and available services.
Not every branch handles birth certificates. Make sure the location you plan to visit offers vital records before you go. Call ahead or check online. The Norwalk office always has vital records staff during business hours. It is a sure bet for Carson residents needing birth certificates.
Parking at Norwalk is available in lots around the building. The office complex serves multiple county departments. Follow signs for the Registrar-Recorder. Take a number when you arrive and wait to be called. Staff will help you at the counter.
Bring proper ID no matter which office you visit. A California driver's license or state ID works best. Passports and military IDs are also accepted. You will need to fill out an application form. Staff can answer questions about the form if needed.
Who Can Get Carson Birth Records
State law restricts who can receive an authorized copy of a birth certificate. The rules come from the Health and Safety Code. Only certain people can get a certified copy that serves as legal identification.
The person named on the certificate can request their own copy. Parents and legal guardians can get copies for their children. A spouse or domestic partner is also eligible. Family members who qualify include children, grandparents, grandchildren, and siblings. Attorneys working for the person or their estate can request copies. Government workers and law enforcement get access for official business.
People not on this list can still get copies. The copy will be informational only. It has text printed on it saying it cannot be used to establish identity. You cannot use this type for a passport or license. But it proves a birth took place. Researchers and genealogists often use informational copies.
Every request requires ID. Bring valid photo ID if visiting in person. Mail requests need a signed statement under penalty of perjury. The form asks your relationship to the person on the record. False statements are a crime in California.
Carson Birth Certificate Processing Times
When you get your copy depends on how you order. Volume at the county office also affects timing.
Walk-in requests are usually same-day. Plan for 30 minutes to an hour at the Norwalk office. Arrive when they open at 8 AM for shorter waits. Monday mornings and the beginning of each month tend to be busiest. Midweek afternoons often have lighter traffic.
Mail orders take 4 to 6 weeks to process. This is just county processing time. Add mail delivery on both ends. Total time from mailing to receiving can be 6 to 8 weeks. Make sure all information on your form is accurate. Mistakes cause delays.
Online orders ship in 2 to 4 weeks. Standard mail delivery adds a few more days. Expedited shipping is available at checkout. It costs more but arrives faster.
Recent births take time to enter records. California law gives hospitals 21 days to file. The state and county then process the data. Wait at least 6 weeks after a birth to order. Order too soon and the record may not be in the system. The fee is still charged if no record turns up.
State Records for Carson Births
California keeps copies of all birth records at the state level. The California Department of Public Health has records for every birth since July 1905. Carson births are included. You can order from the state as an alternative to LA County.
The state fee is $29 per copy. That is $5 less than the LA County fee. VitalChek handles online orders for the state. They add their service charge. Mail orders go direct to the CDPH office in Sacramento. Use form VS 111.
State processing runs longer than county. Mail orders take 10 to 15 business days after receipt. Online orders ship in 2 to 4 weeks. There is no walk-in service at the state office. Everything goes through mail or web.
If you do not know where a birth occurred, the state can help. They search their statewide index. It covers all 58 California counties. They tell you which county has the record. You can then order from the state or contact that county directly.
Nearby Cities for Birth Records
Other cities near Carson use the same Los Angeles County office for birth records. If you need a certificate for someone born in a nearby city, these pages have local information.
All these cities are in Los Angeles County. They use the same registrar-recorder office. Fees and procedures match across the county. The main difference is which branch is closest to you.
Los Angeles County Birth Records
For complete information on birth certificates in Los Angeles County, see our main county page. It covers the registrar-recorder office, required forms, fee details, and all ordering methods.