Simi Valley Birth Records
Birth records for Simi Valley residents are handled by the Ventura County Clerk-Recorder office in the city of Ventura. Simi Valley is one of the larger cities in Ventura County with approximately 125,000 people. The city does not maintain its own vital records office, so all birth certificate requests go through county channels. Ventura is about 25 miles west of Simi Valley along the 118 and 101 freeways. Residents can request copies in person, by mail, or through online services. The county keeps birth records for many decades.
Simi Valley Birth Records Quick Facts
Ventura County Clerk-Recorder for Simi Valley Births
The Ventura County Clerk-Recorder is the official source for birth certificates in Simi Valley. This office keeps records for all births in the county. The main location is at the Ventura County Government Center. Simi Valley residents can visit there to request copies in person or use other ordering methods.
Contact information for the Ventura County Clerk-Recorder is listed below. A phone call before your visit helps confirm hours and check current wait times.
- Phone: (805) 654-2263
- Address: 800 South Victoria Avenue, Ventura, CA 93009
- Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Website: recorder.countyofventura.org
The fee for a birth certificate is $31 per copy in Ventura County. This rate is among the lower county fees in California. Additional copies cost the same amount each. You can pay with cash, check, or credit card at the counter. Mail requests require a check or money order made out to Ventura County Clerk-Recorder.
The screenshot above shows the state website where you can also order birth certificates. Simi Valley residents sometimes find this more convenient than traveling to Ventura. The state fee is $29 but processing may take longer.
How to Get a Birth Certificate in Simi Valley
Simi Valley residents have several options for obtaining birth certificates. Choose based on how fast you need the copy and your ability to travel. Each method has its advantages.
In-person visits to the Ventura office get results fastest. Take the 118 west to the 23 south, then the 101 to Ventura. The drive is about 30 to 40 minutes depending on traffic. Bring valid photo identification and details about the birth. Fill out the request form when you arrive. Staff search records while you wait. Most people leave within an hour with their certified copy. This works best when you need a birth certificate quickly.
Mail requests work well when you have time. Download the application form from the Ventura County website. Complete all fields with the birth information you know. Include a check for $31 payable to Ventura County Clerk-Recorder. Send your request to the Ventura address. Processing takes 2 to 3 weeks from receipt. Add mail time both ways. Expect your copy in about 4 to 5 weeks total.
Online ordering through approved vendors offers convenience. You complete a form on their website and pay by credit card. Service fees add to the base $31 county charge. Total cost runs around $42 to $48. Standard shipping takes 2 to 4 weeks. Faster delivery options cost extra but arrive sooner. This suits people who prefer not to mail checks or drive to Ventura.
The California Department of Public Health is another source. They have birth records for everyone born in the state since July 1905. Their fee is $29 per copy. Processing tends to be slower than Ventura County. But it works when you are unsure which county has the record you need.
Who Can Request Simi Valley Birth Certificates
California restricts who can get an authorized birth certificate. The rules come from state law and apply everywhere in California. Not everyone qualifies for a certified copy that works as legal ID.
You qualify if you are the person named on the certificate. Parents can get copies for their children at any age. Legal guardians have the same access as parents. Spouses and domestic partners are on the approved list. Adult children can request parents' birth certificates. Grandparents, grandchildren, and siblings also qualify. Attorneys working for eligible people can make requests. Law enforcement and government agencies get access for official purposes.
People outside the approved list can still request copies. They receive informational versions rather than authorized ones. Informational copies have a notice printed on them. The notice says the document cannot establish identity. These work for family research and historical purposes. They do not work for passports, driver's licenses, or similar official uses.
Every request requires proof of identity. Bring government-issued photo ID to the counter. Mail applicants sign statements under penalty of perjury. You must state your relationship to the person on the certificate. False claims are punishable under California law.
Simi Valley Birth Record Resources
Simi Valley does not issue birth certificates but has local resources that may help. The city library offers research assistance. City staff can direct residents to county services. Several organizations in the area provide support.
Simi Valley Hospital is the main medical facility in the city. Babies born there have their births registered through the hospital. Staff file the paperwork with Ventura County automatically. Parents do not need to visit Ventura to register a newborn. The hospital handles that step. Wait at least 4 to 6 weeks after birth before ordering a certificate. Records need time to process into the county system.
Ventura County has a satellite office that some Simi Valley residents find more convenient than the main Ventura location. Check with the county about what services each branch offers. Not all locations handle birth certificates. Calling first can save a wasted trip.
For complicated situations, legal assistance may be needed. The Ventura County Bar Association has a lawyer referral program. They can connect you with attorneys experienced in vital records matters. Name corrections, amendments, and adoption searches often benefit from legal guidance. A brief consultation can clarify your situation.
Historical Birth Records in Simi Valley
Simi Valley incorporated as a city in 1969, making it fairly young as cities go. The area had residents long before incorporation. Birth records from earlier times went to Ventura County even before the city existed. The county has records going back decades.
For very old records, the California State Archives may help. They hold historical vital records from various counties. Records more than 75 years old are open to anyone without proving a family relationship. The archives can assist researchers looking for hard-to-find records. Contact them at (916) 653-6814 for help.
Before 1905, California did not have statewide birth registration. Only counties kept whatever records they maintained. Early Simi Valley area births would have been filed with Ventura County if documented at all. Record-keeping practices varied in those days. Some births were never formally registered.
Genealogy researchers have several resources available. The Simi Valley Public Library has local history materials. The Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District has historical archives. Church records sometimes contain birth information. FamilySearch centers provide access to genealogical databases from around the world.
Nearby Cities for Birth Records
If the birth did not occur in Simi Valley, check surrounding areas. Some nearby cities are in Ventura County while others belong to Los Angeles County. Where the birth happened determines which county holds the record.
Cities near Simi Valley include:
Unsure where a birth occurred? The state health department maintains an index of all California births since 1905. They can tell you which county to contact or process the order themselves.
More Ventura County Birth Record Info
Get complete details about Ventura County birth records on our county page. It covers full contact info, current fees, and all ordering options.