Find Fontana Birth Records
Fontana birth records are handled by the San Bernardino County Assessor-Recorder-Clerk office. Located in the western Inland Empire, Fontana has grown to over 215,000 residents and is the second largest city in San Bernardino County. The city does not have its own vital records office, following the California model where counties manage all birth, death, and marriage records. Residents need to go through the county system to obtain certified copies of birth certificates for births that occurred in Fontana.
Fontana Birth Records Quick Facts
Where to Get Birth Certificates in Fontana
Fontana does not issue birth certificates as a city service. All vital records come through San Bernardino County. This is the standard model in California. Counties maintain vital records while cities handle other local services.
The San Bernardino County Clerk office is in the city of San Bernardino. From Fontana, the drive is about 15 to 20 minutes east on the 10 freeway. The county office handles all vital records for the more than 2 million residents of this large county. Walk-in service is available during business hours.
Many Fontana residents prefer mail or online orders to skip the drive. The county accepts applications by mail with check or money order payment. Online ordering through approved vendors is also an option. Both methods let you handle the request without leaving Fontana.
The California Department of Public Health is another source. They have statewide birth records since 1905. Some people use the state when the county is not convenient.
San Bernardino County Clerk Office
The San Bernardino County Assessor-Recorder-Clerk handles all birth records for Fontana. Their office maintains vital records for the entire county. Staff can search for any birth that occurred within county lines.
Office details:
- Address: 222 W. Hospitality Lane, San Bernardino, CA 92415
- Phone: (909) 387-8306
- Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Website: arc.sbcounty.gov
Birth certificates cost $34 per copy in San Bernardino County. This price covers both authorized and informational versions. The office takes cash, checks, and credit cards. A small fee may apply for card payments. Make checks payable to San Bernardino County Recorder.
The office can get busy. Monday mornings often see the most traffic. Try mid-week visits if possible. Afternoon hours sometimes have shorter lines. Bring completed paperwork to speed things up. Forms are available on the county website.
How to Order Fontana Birth Certificates
Several methods are available for getting a birth certificate for someone born in Fontana. Each has different timelines and steps.
Visiting the county office in person gives the fastest results. Bring a valid photo ID and the birth details you need. Staff will search the records while you wait. If the record is on file, you typically get your copy in under an hour. Same-day service is standard for walk-in requests. Pay the $34 fee when you pick up your certificate.
Mail orders work when driving to San Bernardino is not practical. Get the application form from the county website. Fill it out with all the birth information. Include a check or money order for $34 made out to the county. Add a photocopy of your ID. Mail everything to the county office. Processing takes about 2 to 3 weeks. Add mail transit both directions. Plan on 4 to 6 weeks total.
Online ordering through VitalChek is also available. You complete the form on their site and pay by credit card. Vendor fees add to the base cost. Expect to pay $48 to $55 total. Orders ship in 2 to 4 weeks. Faster shipping costs extra.
The state health department also accepts orders. They charge $29 per copy. Processing takes 10 to 15 business days. For Fontana residents, the county is usually more convenient given the relatively short drive.
Who Can Get Fontana Birth Records
California law limits who can receive an authorized birth certificate. The rules protect personal information on vital records.
An authorized copy is available if you are the person on the certificate. Parents and legal guardians qualify for their children's records. Spouses, domestic partners, children, grandparents, grandchildren, and siblings are eligible. Attorneys for the person or estate have access. Government agencies get copies for official duties.
Everyone else receives informational copies. These have text printed across the face. The text states the document cannot establish identity. It reads "INFORMATIONAL, NOT A VALID DOCUMENT TO ESTABLISH IDENTITY." An informational copy proves the birth occurred. It just cannot be used for passports, licenses, or other ID needs.
Identity proof is required for all requests. Bring a government photo ID to the office. Mail requests must include a copy of your ID. The application asks your relationship to the registrant. You sign under penalty of perjury. False claims can lead to denial and possible criminal charges.
Birth Certificate Processing Times
How fast you get your certificate depends on the order method. Walk-in is quickest. Mail and online take longer.
At the San Bernardino County office, most walk-in requests finish in 30 to 60 minutes. Staff search while you wait. When they find the record, they print your copy on the spot. Pay the fee and you are done. Busy days might push waits past an hour. But same-day completion is typical.
Mail orders take 2 to 3 weeks at the county office. That does not include mail transit time. Your request has to get there first. Then the certificate travels back to you. Figure 4 to 6 weeks total. Missing info adds delays. Check your form carefully before mailing.
Online orders from vendors ship in 2 to 4 weeks. Standard mail adds a few more days. Express shipping is available at extra cost.
New births need time to enter the system. Hospitals have 21 days to file records. The county then processes the data. Wait at least 4 to 6 weeks after a birth before ordering. Order too early and you may get "no record found." Fees apply even when no record turns up.
California State Birth Records
The California Department of Public Health offers another path for Fontana birth certificates. They maintain copies of all California births since July 1905.
The state fee is $29 per copy. That is $5 less than San Bernardino County. Mail processing takes 10 to 15 business days. Online orders through VitalChek add vendor fees, bringing the total close to county pricing.
When might the state make sense? If you do not know which county the birth occurred in, the state can search all California counties at once. The state also helps when the county is backed up. For confirmed Fontana births, the county office is usually the simpler choice.
Birth Record Application Forms
You need a form to request a birth certificate. The form gathers details about the birth and about you as the requester.
San Bernardino County has its own form on the website. You can also use the California state form called VS 111. Either works for Fontana birth requests. Print and fill out the form at home. This speeds up processing.
What goes on the form? The full name on the certificate. Date of birth if known. Place of birth helps narrow the search. Parent names if you have them. Your own name and contact info. Your relationship to the person named. Your signature under penalty of perjury.
Mail requests for authorized copies require a notarized signature. A notary at a bank or shipping store can do this. Without notarization, you can only get an informational copy by mail. In-person visits skip notarization since you show ID directly at the counter.
Nearby Cities for Birth Records
Other cities in San Bernardino County use the same county office. The $34 fee and procedures apply across the county. Here are other major cities in the area:
All these cities fall under San Bernardino County. The same Assessor-Recorder-Clerk office handles their birth records. Procedures and fees are identical throughout the county.
San Bernardino County Birth Records
For complete details about San Bernardino County birth certificates, visit our main county page. It covers all fees, forms, hours, and ordering methods.