Los Angeles Birth Certificate Lookup

Birth records for Los Angeles residents are kept by Los Angeles County. The city itself does not have a vital records office. All birth certificates for people born in Los Angeles go through the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk. This office handles vital records for the largest county in the United States by population. Whether you were born at Cedars-Sinai, UCLA Medical Center, or any hospital in Los Angeles, your birth record is on file with the county. The process to get a copy is straightforward once you know where to go and what forms to fill out.

Los Angeles County Handles City Birth Records

Los Angeles is in Los Angeles County. This is where you need to go for any birth certificate request. The county Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk keeps all vital records for the area. They have birth records going back over a century. The office serves millions of residents across dozens of cities and unincorporated areas in the county.

Many people think the city has its own records office. It does not. Los Angeles is different from some California cities like Long Beach or Berkeley that run their own vital records programs. For Los Angeles proper, the county handles everything. This actually makes things simpler. You only have one office to deal with no matter where in the city the birth took place.

The county office has multiple locations throughout Los Angeles County. You can visit any branch to request a birth certificate. Not all branches offer the same services. Some are walk-in only while others take appointments. Check the county website before you go to make sure the branch you pick can help with birth records. The main office in Norwalk has the most services available.

Ways to Get a Los Angeles Birth Certificate

You have several options when you need a birth certificate for someone born in Los Angeles. Pick the method that works best for your timeline and situation. Each way has different pros and cons.

Online ordering is the quickest option for most people. The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder has an online portal at apps.lavote.net where you can submit requests. The system walks you through each step. You enter the birth information, pay the fee, and wait for your certificate to arrive. Online orders usually ship within 5 to 10 business days. Add extra time for mail delivery to your address.

VitalChek also processes orders for Los Angeles County birth records. They are an approved vendor. The VitalChek site may be easier to use for some people. They charge a service fee on top of the county fee. Total cost runs about $40 to $45 through their site. Shipping options include standard mail or express delivery if you need it faster.

Mail requests go to the county office in Norwalk. You need to fill out the proper form and include payment. Send everything to Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder, P.O. Box 1027, Norwalk, CA 90651-1027. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope if you want faster service. Mail orders take 2 to 4 weeks depending on volume.

In-person visits let you get a birth certificate the same day in many cases. You go to a county office, fill out the form, pay the fee, and wait. Processing time varies by branch and how busy they are. The Norwalk office tends to have the shortest wait times for walk-in requests. Bring valid ID and know all the details about the birth you are requesting.

Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder Contact

The main office for Los Angeles County vital records is in Norwalk. This is the headquarters for the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk. They handle birth, death, and marriage records for the entire county. If you need help with a Los Angeles birth certificate, this office can assist you.

Call them at 800-201-8999 for birth record questions. The line is open during business hours. Wait times can be long due to high call volume. Try calling early in the morning for shorter waits. The staff can answer questions about your request status, fees, and what documents you need to bring.

The website at lavote.gov has information about vital records services. You can find forms, fee schedules, and office locations. The site also has an online ordering system for birth certificates. Check it first to get answers to common questions before you call or visit in person.

The county also runs several branch offices. Not all branches process birth certificates. Some only handle other services like marriage licenses or recorded documents. Make sure the branch you plan to visit offers vital records services before you make the trip.

What You Need to Request a Birth Certificate

Getting a Los Angeles birth certificate requires some basic information. The more details you have, the easier the search will be. Missing info can delay your request or result in no record being found.

You need to know the full name on the birth record. This should be the name given at birth, not a changed name. The date of birth is required. At least the year is necessary, but the exact date helps narrow things down. Place of birth matters too. For Los Angeles, you should know which hospital or at least that it was within the city limits. Mother's maiden name and father's name help confirm you have the right record.

Proof of identity is required for authorized copies. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. A driver's license or passport works. If you are requesting for someone else, you may need to show your relationship to that person. This could mean bringing your own birth certificate to prove you are a parent or sibling of the person on the record.

California law limits who can get an authorized birth certificate copy. The list includes the person named on the record, parents, legal guardians, children, grandparents, grandchildren, siblings, spouse, or domestic partner. Attorneys and government agencies can also request copies for official purposes. If you are not on this list, you will get an informational copy instead. That copy has a statement printed on it saying it cannot be used for identification.

Los Angeles Birth Certificate Fees

The current fee for a birth certificate from Los Angeles County is $34 per copy. This is the standard county rate as of January 2026. The fee covers the search and one certified copy. Additional copies ordered at the same time may cost less per copy.

Online orders through VitalChek have extra fees. The processing fee runs about $7 to $13. Credit card fees may also apply. Total online cost is usually $40 to $50 depending on the vendor and shipping method you choose. Express shipping adds more to the total.

The county accepts cash, check, money order, and credit cards at their offices. For mail requests, send a check or money order payable to Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder. Do not send cash through the mail. Online orders use credit or debit cards only.

There is no refund if your record cannot be found. The fee covers the search whether or not a record exists. Make sure you have the correct information before you pay. Double-check the name spelling and date of birth. Wrong info leads to wasted time and money.

How Long It Takes to Get Your Birth Certificate

Processing times depend on how you submit your request. In-person requests at the county office are often ready the same day. You may have to wait an hour or two. Some branches process faster than others. The Norwalk main office usually has the quickest turnaround for walk-in requests.

Mail requests take 2 to 4 weeks on average. This includes processing time at the county plus mail transit both ways. During busy periods, processing may take longer. If you are in a rush, mail is not the best choice. Plan ahead if you need the certificate for a deadline.

Online orders ship within 5 to 10 business days from the county. Add shipping time on top of that. Standard mail takes about a week. Express shipping cuts that down to 2 to 3 days. VitalChek offers overnight shipping for an extra fee if you need the certificate fast.

New births take extra time. The hospital files the paperwork first. Then it goes to the county and state. Allow 3 to 6 weeks after a birth before the record is in the system. Ordering too soon results in a no-record response. You still pay the fee even if no record is found.

Old Birth Records in Los Angeles

Los Angeles County has birth records going back to the early 1900s. The state system started in July 1905. County records from before that date may exist but are less complete. If you need a very old birth record from Los Angeles, the county clerk is your first stop.

The California State Archives has some historical vital records too. Their collection includes microfilm copies from various counties. Records more than 75 years old are open to anyone for research purposes. You do not need to prove a relationship to the person on the record. Contact the State Archives at (916) 653-6814 if you are doing genealogy research.

Some early Los Angeles birth records were not filed at all. Home births before modern registration rules may not have been recorded. Delayed registration is possible in some cases. You need supporting documents to prove the birth happened. This process is more complex than getting a regular copy. The county clerk can explain what you need for a delayed registration.

Birth Records in Nearby Cities

Several major cities near Los Angeles also get their birth records from Los Angeles County. If you were born in one of these cities, the process is the same as for Los Angeles proper. Go to the county Registrar-Recorder for your birth certificate.

Cities served by Los Angeles County include Long Beach, Glendale, Santa Clarita, Pomona, Torrance, and Pasadena. Long Beach is a special case. They started their own vital records program in January 2019. If you were born in Long Beach after that date, contact the city directly. For births before 2019, Los Angeles County still has the records.

Other nearby major cities are in different counties. Anaheim is in Orange County. San Bernardino is in San Bernardino County. If you are not sure which county covers a city, check online or call the county clerk to confirm before you submit a request.