San Bernardino Birth Certificates
San Bernardino birth records are kept by the San Bernardino County Assessor-Recorder-Clerk office. The city of San Bernardino serves as the county seat for the largest county by land area in the United States. With over 220,000 residents, the city is the main population center of the county. The county office downtown handles all birth certificate requests for births that occurred anywhere in San Bernardino County, giving city residents easy access to vital records services.
San Bernardino Birth Records Quick Facts
Where to Get Birth Certificates in San Bernardino
The city of San Bernardino does not operate its own vital records office. California counties handle all vital records while cities focus on other services. Residents of San Bernardino get birth certificates from the county.
Since San Bernardino is the county seat, the main county office is right in town. The Assessor-Recorder-Clerk office handles vital records along with property records and other county functions. Walking in during business hours lets you request a birth certificate in person. The building is in the downtown government area with parking available.
Having the county office in town is a real convenience for San Bernardino residents. No long drives to another city. You can handle your request during a lunch break or after work. Same-day service is available for most walk-in requests. The staff process a high volume of vital records requests each week.
The state health department also issues birth certificates. The California Department of Public Health has records for all California births since July 1905. Some people use this option for various reasons.
San Bernardino County Clerk Office
The San Bernardino County Assessor-Recorder-Clerk is the official source for birth certificates. Their main office maintains all vital records for this large county. Staff can locate any birth that occurred within county lines.
Contact information:
- 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
The cost is $34 per birth certificate copy. Both authorized and informational copies cost the same. The office takes cash, checks, and credit cards. A small service fee may apply to card transactions. Make checks out to San Bernardino County Recorder.
The office handles steady traffic most days. Monday mornings tend to be busiest. Mid-week afternoons often have shorter waits. Bring your paperwork filled out to speed things up. The county website has forms you can print and complete at home.
How to Order San Bernardino Birth Certificates
You have multiple ways to get a birth certificate for someone born in San Bernardino. Each method has different steps and timelines.
Visiting the county office in person is fastest. Bring a valid photo ID and know the details of the birth. 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 at the counter when you pick up your certificate.
Mail orders work when visiting is not practical. Download the application from the county website. Fill it out with all the birth details you have. Include a check or money order for $34 payable to the county. Add a copy of your photo ID. Mail the package to the county office. Processing takes 2 to 3 weeks. Then add mail transit both ways. Budget 4 to 6 weeks total.
Online ordering through vendors like VitalChek is also available. You complete the form on their website and pay by credit card. Service fees add to the base cost. Expect to pay $48 to $55 total. Orders ship in 2 to 4 weeks with standard delivery. Faster shipping is available at extra cost.
The state office is another option. The California Department of Public Health charges $29 per copy. Processing takes 10 to 15 business days. For San Bernardino residents, the local county office is usually more convenient.
Who Can Get San Bernardino Birth Records
California law limits who can get an authorized birth certificate. These rules protect personal data on vital records.
You qualify for an authorized copy if you are named on the certificate. Parents and legal guardians can request copies for children. Spouses, domestic partners, children, grandparents, grandchildren, and siblings are eligible. Attorneys for the person or estate have access. Government workers get copies for official business.
People outside these groups receive informational copies. These have text printed across the face. The text says the document cannot be used for ID. Specifically: "INFORMATIONAL, NOT A VALID DOCUMENT TO ESTABLISH IDENTITY." An informational copy proves the birth occurred. It just cannot be used for passports, licenses, or similar purposes.
You must verify your identity when requesting. Bring a valid government photo ID to the office. Mail requests must include a copy of your ID. The form asks about your relationship to the registrant. You sign under penalty of perjury. Making false claims is a crime. The county reviews applications and may deny suspicious ones.
Processing Times for Birth Certificates
Wait times vary by order method. Walk-in visits are quickest. Mail and online need patience.
At the 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 right there. Pay the fee and leave with your certificate. Busy days can push waits past an hour. But same-day service is normal.
Mail requests take 2 to 3 weeks to process at the county. That is just office time. Add mail transit both directions. Figure 4 to 6 weeks total from when you mail your request. Errors on your form add more time. Check everything carefully before sending.
Online orders through vendors ship in 2 to 4 weeks. Standard mail adds a few more days. Express shipping is available if you need it faster. Check options at checkout.
New births need time to enter the system. Hospitals have 21 days to file records. The county must then process the filing. Wait at least 4 to 6 weeks after a birth before ordering. Ordering too early may result in "no record found." Fees apply even when no record turns up.
California State Birth Records
The California Department of Public Health is a backup source for San Bernardino birth certificates. They keep copies of all California births since July 1905.
The state charges $29 per copy. That is $5 less than the county. Mail orders take 10 to 15 business days to process. Online orders through VitalChek add vendor fees, bringing the total close to county prices.
When is the state a good choice? If you do not know which county the birth happened in, start with the state. They search all California counties at once. The state also helps when the county office is backlogged. For confirmed San Bernardino births, the local county office usually makes more sense.
Historical Birth Records
San Bernardino County has birth records going back to the 1800s. The county was established in 1853. Older records may be on microfilm or stored in archives. The county can still search these files when needed.
For births before July 1905, the county is your only option. The state did not keep centralized records until then. Very old records may be harder to find. Some were damaged or lost over time. But the county does have records stretching back many generations in some cases.
The California State Archives holds some historical vital records too. Records over 75 years old are open to anyone. Contact them at (916) 653-6814 for help with historical searches. Genealogy researchers often find useful records in San Bernardino County given the area's long settlement history.
Nearby Cities for Birth Records
Other cities in San Bernardino County use the same county office. The process and $34 fee 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 across the county.
San Bernardino County Birth Records
For full details about San Bernardino County birth certificates, visit our main county page. It covers all fees, forms, hours, and ordering methods.