Access Concord Birth Records
Birth records for Concord residents are kept by the Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder in Martinez. Concord is the largest city in Contra Costa County with around 130,000 residents in the East Bay area. The city does not operate its own vital records department. All birth certificate requests go through the county office. Martinez is about 8 miles north of Concord, making in-person visits fairly convenient. You can also submit requests by mail or use online ordering services. The county maintains birth records going back many decades for everyone born within its boundaries.
Concord Birth Records Quick Facts
Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder for Concord Births
The Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder handles birth certificates for Concord and all other cities in the county. The main office is in Martinez at the county seat. This is where Concord residents go for in-person requests. Staff there can search records and issue certified copies.
Here is how to reach the Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder. Calling ahead lets you check wait times and hours before driving from Concord.
- Phone: (925) 335-7900
- Address: 555 Escobar Street, Martinez, CA 94553
- Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- Website: contracostacore.us
Birth certificates cost $36 or more per copy in Contra Costa County. Fees can vary slightly based on additional services. Each extra copy costs the same base rate. Payment at the counter can be cash, check, or credit card. Mail orders need a check or money order payable to Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder. The fee schedule may change, so verify the current amount before submitting payment.
The image shows where to find official state forms for birth certificate requests. Concord residents can use these forms for either county or state requests. Having your paperwork ready before you visit speeds up the process.
Getting a Birth Certificate in Concord
Concord residents can choose from several methods to obtain birth certificates. Your situation determines which approach works best. Consider how quickly you need the document and whether you can travel to Martinez.
Going to the Martinez office in person is the fastest route. The drive from Concord takes about 15 minutes on Highway 4. Bring your photo ID and information about the birth you need. Complete the application form at the counter. Staff will search while you wait. Most requests finish within an hour. You walk out with a certified copy the same day.
Mailing your request is slower but avoids the trip. Download the application from the Contra Costa County website. Fill out all sections with the birth details you have. Write a check for at least $36 to Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder. Mail everything to the Martinez address listed above. The office processes mail requests in the order received. Allow 2 to 3 weeks for processing. Add mail transit time both directions. Total turnaround runs about 4 to 6 weeks.
Online ordering through approved services offers another option. The county works with vendors who process web requests. You complete an online form and pay with a credit card. Service fees are added to the base county rate. Expect to pay $48 to $55 total. Standard shipping takes 2 to 4 weeks. Rush delivery costs more but arrives sooner.
California state health department orders work too. They have records for all California births since July 1905. The state charges $29. This option suits people unsure which county has their record. Processing is typically slower than going through Contra Costa County directly.
Who Can Get Concord Birth Certificates
Not everyone can obtain an authorized birth certificate copy. California law spells out who qualifies. These rules protect privacy and help prevent identity theft. The restrictions apply regardless of which county you contact.
An authorized copy is available if you are the person named on the certificate. Parents have rights to their children's certificates at any age. Legal guardians can request copies like parents can. Spouses and registered domestic partners also qualify. Adult children can get their parents' birth certificates. Grandparents, grandchildren, and siblings make the approved list too. Attorneys representing eligible people can file requests. Government and law enforcement get access for official duties.
Anyone outside the approved list can still get a copy. It will be an informational copy rather than an authorized one. Informational copies have a statement printed on them. The statement says the document cannot establish identity. These copies work for genealogy research and historical purposes. They are not valid for passports, licenses, or official ID uses.
Identity proof is mandatory for all requests. Bring government-issued photo ID to the counter. Mail requests include a sworn statement you sign. You must state your relationship to the person named on the record. Misrepresenting your eligibility is a crime under California law.
Concord Birth Record Resources
Concord itself does not issue birth certificates but the city has helpful resources. The public library system can assist with research questions. City hall provides referrals to county services. Local organizations offer support for vital records needs.
John Muir Medical Center in Concord is a major birth facility. Babies born there have their births registered through the hospital. Hospital staff file the paperwork with Contra Costa County. Parents do not need to visit Martinez to register a newborn. The hospital handles that automatically. Wait at least 4 to 6 weeks after birth before ordering a certificate. It takes time for records to enter the county system.
Contra Costa County is large with over one million residents. Many people in Concord were born elsewhere and moved later. If your birth happened outside the county, contact wherever it occurred. The California state office can search statewide when you are unsure of the location.
Legal help exists for complex birth record situations. The Contra Costa County Bar Association has a lawyer referral service. They can connect you with attorneys who handle vital records cases. Amendments, corrections, and adoption-related searches may need legal expertise. A short consultation can explain your options.
Historical Birth Records in Concord Area
Concord was incorporated in 1905, the same year California began statewide birth registration. Before that point, records were less systematic. The county may have some older records from before 1905. Finding them depends on what documentation existed at the time.
Contra Costa County was formed in 1850, one of California's original counties. Records from the early years can be incomplete. Not every birth was registered back then. Some families did not file paperwork, especially in rural areas. The county clerk can tell you what old records they hold.
The California State Archives has historical vital records. Records more than 75 years old are open to anyone without proving a relationship. Researchers can access these for genealogical purposes. The archives may have Contra Costa County birth records not easily found elsewhere. Call them at (916) 653-6814 for research help.
Family historians researching Concord ancestors have resources available. The Contra Costa County Historical Society maintains archives. Local libraries have genealogy collections. Church records sometimes contain birth information when government records do not. FamilySearch centers provide access to extensive databases.
Nearby Cities for Birth Records
If the birth you seek did not happen in Concord, look at nearby cities. Several are in Contra Costa County while others belong to Alameda County. The birth location determines which county has the record.
Cities near Concord include:
Not sure where a birth occurred? The state health department can help. They have an index of all California births since 1905. They can identify which county to contact.
More Contra Costa County Birth Record Info
For complete details about birth certificates in Contra Costa County, visit our county page. It has full contact information, fee schedules, and instructions for all ordering methods.