Lancaster Birth Records Search

Lancaster birth records are handled by the Los Angeles County Clerk-Recorder office. This Antelope Valley city sits in the high desert of northern Los Angeles County, about 70 miles from downtown LA. If you need a birth certificate for someone born in Lancaster, you will work with the county office in Norwalk or one of its branch locations. The county keeps birth records going back many decades and offers several ways to get copies. Most requests can be done online, by mail, or in person at a county office. Lancaster itself does not have a vital records office, so all birth certificate requests go through Los Angeles County.

Where Lancaster Residents Get Birth Certificates

Lancaster is part of Los Angeles County, the most populous county in the entire United States. The county Clerk-Recorder handles all vital records including births, deaths, and marriages. For Lancaster residents, this means going to the county rather than a city office when you need a birth certificate. The main county office is in Norwalk, which can be a long drive from the Antelope Valley. Fortunately, the county offers online ordering and mail options that save you the trip.

The Los Angeles County Clerk-Recorder has records for births that took place anywhere in the county. This includes Lancaster, Palmdale, and all other cities and unincorporated areas. If someone was born at Antelope Valley Hospital or any other facility in Lancaster, the birth record is on file with the county. Home births that were properly registered are also in the system.

Here is the contact info for the Los Angeles County Clerk-Recorder main office:

• Address: 12400 Imperial Highway, Norwalk, CA 90650
• Phone: (562) 462-2137
• Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• Website: lavote.gov

The county fee for a birth certificate is $34 per copy. This applies to both authorized and informational copies. Extra copies ordered at the same time cost the same amount each. The fee covers the search and the certified copy if a record is found.

How to Order Lancaster Birth Certificates

You have three main options for getting a birth certificate if the birth happened in Lancaster. Each method has different timelines and requirements. Pick the one that fits your situation best.

Online ordering is the most convenient choice for many people. Los Angeles County partners with VitalChek for web orders. You go to the VitalChek website, fill out the application form, and pay with a credit card. The site charges a service fee on top of the county fee, so the total runs about $50 to $55. Orders typically ship within 2 to 4 weeks. This option works well when you cannot visit the county office but need a certified copy mailed to you.

Mail requests go directly to the county. You need to fill out an application form and include your payment. Send a check or money order made out to the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder. Mail the completed form to the Norwalk address. Processing takes about 4 to 6 weeks, sometimes longer during busy periods. You must include a copy of your valid ID with the request. For authorized copies, your signature needs to be notarized.

In-person visits get you a copy the fastest. The main office in Norwalk handles walk-in requests. You can also try branch locations closer to Lancaster if any are available. Bring your ID and be ready to pay the $34 fee. Cash, check, and credit card are usually accepted. Staff will search for the record and print your copy while you wait. Most people are in and out within an hour on a normal day.

For Lancaster residents, the drive to Norwalk is about 70 miles each way. The state office in Sacramento is even farther. Online or mail options often make more sense unless you need the copy right away. Plan ahead when possible to avoid rush fees and long drives.

Who Can Get a Lancaster Birth Certificate

California law controls who can receive an authorized copy of a birth certificate. An authorized copy is the type you can use for legal purposes like getting a passport or driver license. Not everyone qualifies for this type of copy.

The list of people who can get an authorized copy includes the person named on the certificate, their parents, legal guardians, and children. Grandparents and grandchildren are also eligible. So are siblings, spouses, and domestic partners. If you are handling legal matters for the person, such as an attorney or estate representative, you may also qualify. Law enforcement and certain government agencies can request copies for official duties.

If you are not on the authorized list, you can still get a copy. It will be marked as informational. This type has text printed across it saying it cannot be used to establish identity. The wording says "INFORMATIONAL, NOT A VALID DOCUMENT TO ESTABLISH IDENTITY." This copy still proves a birth occurred. It just will not work for things that need official ID.

When you apply, you need to state your relationship to the person on the record. You also need to show ID. False claims on a birth certificate application are a crime. The county verifies requests to make sure only eligible people get authorized copies.

Processing Times for Lancaster Birth Records

How fast you get your birth certificate depends on how you order. Los Angeles County handles a huge volume of vital records requests. Wait times can vary based on demand.

Walk-in requests at the Norwalk office are usually same-day. If staff can find the record quickly, you may have your copy in under an hour. Busy days take longer. Monday mornings and days after holidays tend to be packed. Arriving early helps you beat the crowd.

Mail orders take 4 to 6 weeks on average. This includes time for the county to receive your request, process it, and mail the copy back to you. If they need more information from you, it takes even longer. Double-check your form before sending it to avoid delays. Include all required documents the first time.

Online orders through VitalChek ship in 2 to 4 weeks normally. You can pay extra for expedited shipping once the order is processed. Standard shipping adds a few more days after the county sends the copy. The VitalChek site shows estimated delivery dates during checkout.

New births take extra time to appear in the system. California hospitals have 21 days to file birth records with the state. Then the county needs time to process the filing. Wait at least 4 to 6 weeks after a birth before ordering a certificate. Rush orders for new births usually do not work because the record is not in the system yet.

State Office Option for Lancaster Births

Besides the county, you can also get Lancaster birth certificates from the California Department of Public Health. The state office in Sacramento has records for all California births since July 1905. For some people, the state option works better than going through Los Angeles County.

The state fee is $29 per copy, which is less than the county's $34 fee. However, the state does not have a public counter right now. All requests must go by mail or through VitalChek online. Processing times are similar to county mail orders. The state is a good backup if you have trouble with the county or prefer dealing with the state agency.

To order from the state, fill out form VS 111, the Application for Certified Copy of Birth Record. You can download it from the CDPH website. Include your payment and mail everything to the address listed on the form. The state address is in Sacramento. For Lancaster births, either the state or county option will work since both have the same records.

Forms Needed for Lancaster Birth Records

You need to fill out an application form to request a birth certificate. Los Angeles County has its own form on their website. You can also use the state form VS 111. Either one works for births in Lancaster or anywhere else in Los Angeles County.

The application asks for details about the birth. You need the full name as it appears on the certificate. Include the date of birth if you know it. The city of birth, which would be Lancaster, helps narrow the search. Parents' names are useful too. Mother's maiden name is often requested. The more complete your form, the easier it is to find the right record.

You must also provide information about yourself. The form asks for your name, address, and relationship to the person on the record. You need to state why you want the copy. Sign and date the form. For authorized copies by mail, many counties require your signature to be notarized. A notary public can be found at banks, shipping stores, and some office supply stores.

Include a copy of your valid photo ID with mail requests. This helps verify your identity. Acceptable IDs include a driver license, state ID card, or passport. The county uses this to confirm you are who you say you are before issuing an authorized copy.

Historical Birth Records in Lancaster

Lancaster has not always been a large city. The area was mostly desert and small settlements until the mid-1900s. If you need a very old birth record from the Lancaster area, the search may be more complicated.

Los Angeles County has birth records going back to the late 1800s. For births before July 1905, the county is your only option since the state did not start keeping statewide records until then. Early records from the Antelope Valley may be less detailed than modern ones. The county can search their historical files if you need an old record.

The California State Archives has some historical vital records too. Records more than 75 years old are open to anyone without restriction. Contact the State Archives at (916) 653-6814 if you need help finding old Lancaster-area birth records. They can tell you what they have in their collection.

For genealogy research, older birth records often contain useful information. Even if the original is damaged or incomplete, the county may have indexes or microfilm copies that help. Be prepared to provide as much detail as possible when searching for old records.

Nearby Cities for Birth Records

Lancaster is part of the Antelope Valley region in northern Los Angeles County. Several other cities are nearby if you need birth records from the surrounding area. All of these use Los Angeles County for vital records.

Palmdale is right next to Lancaster and uses the same Los Angeles County office. Santa Clarita is south through the mountains. Bakersfield is north in Kern County and uses a different county office. Make sure you know where the birth took place before ordering a certificate.

Los Angeles County Birth Records

For complete information about birth records in Los Angeles County, including all office locations and detailed instructions, visit our county page.