Find Pomona Birth Records

Pomona birth records are kept by the Los Angeles County Clerk-Recorder office. This eastern Los Angeles County city sits at the foot of the San Gabriel Mountains, about 30 miles east of downtown LA. If you need a birth certificate for someone born in Pomona, you will request it through the county. The city does not have its own vital records office. Los Angeles County handles all birth certificates for its nearly 10 million residents, including everyone born in Pomona. You can order copies online, by mail, or in person at the county office in Norwalk or at certain branch locations throughout the county.

Los Angeles County Handles Pomona Vital Records

Pomona is one of 88 cities in Los Angeles County. Like most California cities, it does not have its own vital records department. The Los Angeles County Clerk-Recorder serves all cities in the county, processing birth, death, and marriage records for millions of people.

The main county office is in Norwalk, about 25 miles from Pomona. This is closer than for many other LA County cities. The drive takes around 45 minutes to an hour depending on traffic. For Pomona residents who can spare the time, visiting the Norwalk office gets you a same-day copy. Otherwise, online and mail options work well.

Here is the contact information for the Los Angeles County Clerk-Recorder:

• Main Office: 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 fee for each certified copy is $34. This applies whether you order in person, by mail, or online. Online orders through VitalChek include extra service fees that raise the total cost. The county fee covers the record search and one certified copy if found.

How to Order Pomona Birth Certificates

Los Angeles County offers three ways to get birth certificates. Each has different timelines, costs, and convenience factors. Choose based on your needs.

Online ordering through VitalChek is convenient for many people. Go to the VitalChek website and select Los Angeles County. Complete the application with details about the birth. Pay by credit card. Service fees bring the total to about $50 or more. Processing takes 2 to 4 weeks. Shipping time is extra. You can track orders online and get updates by email.

Mail orders go directly to the county office. Download the application from the county website or use state form VS 111. Complete it with all required information. Write a check or money order payable to Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder for $34. Include a photocopy of your ID. If you want an authorized copy, your signature must be notarized. Mail everything to the Norwalk address. Allow 4 to 6 weeks for processing.

In-person visits are the fastest option. Drive to the Norwalk office with your ID and payment. Fill out the application at the counter. Staff will search for the record and print your copy while you wait. Most visits take under an hour on a normal day. Busy periods like Monday mornings may have longer waits.

Some county branch offices may offer vital records services. Call ahead to verify before making a trip. Not all branches handle birth certificates. The main Norwalk location definitely does.

Who Can Get a Pomona Birth Certificate

California law determines who can receive an authorized copy of a birth certificate. Only certain people qualify. Others get informational copies instead.

Authorized copy recipients include the person named on the certificate, parents, legal guardians, children, grandparents, grandchildren, siblings, spouses, and domestic partners. Attorneys representing the person or estate can request copies. Law enforcement and government agencies have access for official purposes.

If you are not eligible for an authorized copy, you receive an informational one. This copy has a printed statement saying it cannot establish identity. The words say "INFORMATIONAL, NOT A VALID DOCUMENT TO ESTABLISH IDENTITY." You cannot use this type for passports, licenses, or other ID needs. It still shows all the information from the original record and proves a birth occurred.

Your application must honestly state your relationship to the person on the record. Lying is a crime. The county reviews requests to ensure only eligible people get authorized copies.

Pomona Birth Certificate Processing Times

Wait times vary by ordering method. Los Angeles County has enormous volume, handling vital records for the largest population of any US county. Expect some wait regardless of how you order.

Walk-in visits typically result in same-day copies. Staff at the Norwalk office can usually find records and print copies within an hour. Busy days take longer. Arriving early helps avoid peak times. The office opens at 8 AM.

Mail orders take 4 to 6 weeks to process. This does not include mail transit time. Allow about 6 weeks total from when you send your request until you receive your copy. Incomplete applications cause delays. Double-check everything before mailing.

Online orders process in 2 to 4 weeks after you submit them. Shipping adds more time based on the option you select. Standard shipping takes several additional days. Expedited shipping costs more but arrives faster. VitalChek shows estimated dates during checkout.

New births need extra time to appear in the system. Hospitals have 21 days to file birth records with the state. Processing after that takes more time. Wait at least 4 to 6 weeks after a birth before ordering a certificate. Ordering too early often results in no record found.

California State Office Alternative

The California Department of Public Health also issues Pomona birth certificates. The state keeps records for all births in California since July 1905. Some people prefer ordering from the state instead of the county.

The state fee is $29, which is $5 less than the county. But the state has no walk-in counter right now. All requests go by mail or through VitalChek online. Processing times are similar to county mail orders. The state option is good as a backup or if you prefer dealing with the state office.

Use form VS 111 to order from the state. This is the Application for Certified Copy of Birth Record. Download it from the CDPH website. Fill it out, include payment, and mail it to Sacramento. The mailing address is on the form.

Application Forms for Pomona Birth Records

Getting a birth certificate requires completing an application. Los Angeles County has its own form. The state VS 111 form also works. Either is acceptable for Pomona births.

The application asks for details about the birth you need. Full name as shown on the certificate. Date of birth. Place of birth, which would be Pomona. Parents' names, especially the mother's maiden name. Give as much information as you have. More details help locate the correct record faster.

You also provide your own information on the form. Your name, address, phone number. Your relationship to the person on the record. The reason you need the copy. Sign and date the form. For authorized copies by mail, your signature often needs to be notarized. Notary services are available at banks, UPS stores, and some office supply stores in Pomona.

Mail requests must include a copy of your photo ID. Driver license, state ID card, or passport all work. The county uses this to verify your identity. Without proper ID, they cannot issue an authorized copy.

Historical Pomona Birth Records

Pomona was founded in 1875 and incorporated in 1888. The city has a long history in the eastern part of Los Angeles County. Birth records from the area span many generations.

Los Angeles County has birth records going back to the late 1800s. For births before July 1905, the county is the only source since statewide registration did not exist yet. Very old records may have less detail or be harder to locate. The county can search historical files for older records.

The California State Archives holds some historical vital records. Records older than 75 years are open to everyone without restriction. The State Archives can be reached at (916) 653-6814. They can advise what old LA County records they may have.

Genealogy researchers find Pomona birth records useful for tracing family history. The city has been home to diverse communities over its long history. Old birth certificates often contain information helpful for building family trees and understanding ancestry.

Nearby Cities Birth Records

Pomona sits in the eastern part of Los Angeles County, near the border with San Bernardino County. Several other cities are nearby.

Ontario and Rancho Cucamonga are east of Pomona in San Bernardino County. They use a different county office for birth records. West Covina is west of Pomona and also in Los Angeles County. Make sure you know which county the birth occurred in before ordering.

Los Angeles County Birth Records

For complete information about Los Angeles County birth certificates, including all locations and detailed instructions, see our county page.