Search Rialto Birth Records

Birth records for Rialto residents are kept by the San Bernardino County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk. Rialto is a city of about 104,000 people in the western part of San Bernardino County. The city sits between San Bernardino and Fontana along the Interstate 10 corridor. When you need a birth certificate for someone born in Rialto, you must request it through the county office. San Bernardino County maintains all vital records for births within its boundaries.

Where Rialto Residents Get Birth Certificates

Rialto does not have its own vital records office. Residents must contact San Bernardino County for birth certificates. San Bernardino is the largest county in the United States by area. It covers more than 20,000 square miles from the urban Inland Empire to the Mojave Desert. The county has offices in several locations to serve this vast area.

The main county office is in San Bernardino city, about 10 miles east of Rialto. This is often the most convenient location for Rialto residents seeking birth records. The drive takes about 15 to 20 minutes under normal traffic conditions.

Here is the San Bernardino County contact info:

• Address: 222 West Hospitality Lane, San Bernardino, CA 92415
• Phone: (909) 387-8306
• Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 4 PM
• Website: sbcounty.gov/arc/vital-records

The fee is $34 for each certified copy of a birth certificate. This is the standard rate for San Bernardino County vital records. Payment can be made by cash, check, or credit card at the counter. Mail orders require a check or money order payable to the county.

How to Get a Rialto Birth Certificate

You have three main options for getting a birth certificate for someone born in Rialto. Choose based on your timeline and ability to visit in person.

Going to the county office in person is the fastest way. Bring a valid photo ID like a driver's license or passport. Fill out the vital records request form at the counter. Staff will search their computer system for the record. If found, and if you are eligible, you can walk out with your certified copy that same day. Most visits take 30 minutes to an hour.

Mail orders are an option if you cannot visit the office. Download the birth certificate application from the county website. Fill out all the fields with the birth details you are looking for. Include a copy of your photo ID and payment by check or money order. Mail everything to the San Bernardino office. Processing takes about 4 to 6 weeks. Allow extra time for postal delivery.

Online ordering works through approved third party services. These websites let you fill out a form and pay by credit card. They process your request with the county. The total cost is higher because the service adds their fee. Expect to pay around $45 to $55 total. Certificates ship in 2 to 4 weeks through these vendors.

Rialto has grown significantly in recent decades. Many current residents moved from other parts of California or other states. If a birth occurred elsewhere, you need to contact that location instead of San Bernardino County.

Who Can Get Rialto Birth Records

California law restricts who can receive certified copies of birth certificates. These rules protect privacy while allowing family members access to important documents.

The individual named on the certificate can always request their own record. Parents have access to their children's birth records. Legal guardians have the same rights. Adult children can get their parents' certificates. Grandparents, grandchildren, and siblings are also on the approved list.

Spouses and domestic partners can request each other's records. Attorneys representing the person or their estate have access. Government agencies and law enforcement can get copies for official work. Courts may order records released in legal cases.

If you are not in an approved category, you can still get a copy. It will be an informational version rather than certified. This type has a statement printed on it saying it is not valid for ID. The birth data is identical to a certified copy. You just cannot use it for things like passport applications. Researchers doing family history work often get informational copies.

You must prove your identity when making any request. Show a valid government photo ID at the counter. Mail requests need a copy of your ID included. The application form includes a sworn statement about your relationship to the person named.

Inland Empire Birth Record Services

Rialto is part of the Inland Empire region of Southern California. This area includes San Bernardino and Riverside counties. The two counties have separate vital records systems. Knowing where a birth took place matters because it determines which county has the record.

Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton serves many Inland Empire residents including those from Rialto. Births at this hospital are filed with San Bernardino County. Kaiser Permanente Fontana is another major medical center in the area. It also files with San Bernardino County since Fontana is within county boundaries.

Legal aid organizations serve low income residents of the Inland Empire. Inland Counties Legal Services covers San Bernardino County. They may be able to help people who need birth certificates but face barriers getting them. Contact them if you need assistance with vital records issues.

Rialto Birth Certificate Processing Times

Processing time depends on which method you choose to order. Here is what to expect for each option.

In person requests are usually completed the same day. Plan for 30 minutes to an hour at the office. Wait times vary based on how busy they are. Mornings right after opening tend to have shorter lines. Mondays are often the busiest days.

Mail orders take 4 to 6 weeks at the county level. This is just processing time. Add time for mail transit in both directions. Most people receive their certificate 6 to 8 weeks after sending the request. Incomplete forms cause delays. Make sure you fill out everything before mailing.

Online vendor orders arrive in 2 to 4 weeks typically. Rush options may be available for extra fees. Standard shipping takes several additional days. Express shipping costs more but speeds up delivery.

Records for recent births are not available immediately. California law gives hospitals up to 21 days to file birth paperwork. County processing adds more time. Wait at least 6 weeks after a birth before trying to order. Ordering too soon results in a no record found notice.

Nearby Cities for Birth Records

Other San Bernardino County cities use the same county system for birth records. Riverside County cities have their own county office.

If you are unsure which county has the birth record, contact the California Department of Public Health. They can search their statewide index for all births since July 1905.

San Bernardino County Birth Records

For complete details on San Bernardino County vital records, including all office locations and procedures, see our county page.