Torrance Birth Certificate Search

Torrance birth records are kept by the Los Angeles County Clerk-Recorder office. This South Bay city sits just a few miles from the Pacific Ocean and has a population of over 140,000 residents. If you need a birth certificate for someone born in Torrance, you will work with the county rather than a city office. Los Angeles County handles all vital records for its nearly 10 million residents, making it the largest vital records operation of any county in the United States. You can order copies online, by mail, or in person at the county office in Norwalk or select branch locations throughout the county.

Los Angeles County Handles Torrance Birth Records

Torrance is one of 88 cities in Los Angeles County. Like most California cities, it does not maintain its own vital records department. All birth certificate requests go through the Los Angeles County Clerk-Recorder office, which serves the entire county population.

The main county office is in Norwalk, about 15 miles east of Torrance. This is relatively close compared to many other LA County cities. The drive takes around 30 minutes, depending on traffic. For residents who prefer not to drive, online and mail options provide convenient alternatives.

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 county fee is $34 per certified copy of a birth certificate. This applies to all ordering methods. Online orders through VitalChek include additional service fees that increase the total cost. The base $34 covers the record search and one certified copy if a matching record is found.

How to Order Torrance Birth Certificates

Los Angeles County offers three main ways to get birth certificates. Each has different pros and cons. Choose based on your timeline and convenience.

Online ordering through VitalChek is convenient. Go to the VitalChek website, select Los Angeles County, and fill out the application. Pay with a credit card. Service fees add to the county fee, bringing the total to about $50 or more. Processing takes 2 to 4 weeks. Shipping time is additional. You can track your order online and receive status updates by email.

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

In-person visits get you a copy fastest. 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 times like Monday mornings may have longer waits.

Some branch locations may offer vital records services closer to Torrance. Call ahead to verify availability before making a trip. The county website lists all branch locations and their services.

Who Can Get a Torrance Birth Certificate

California law determines who can receive an authorized copy of a birth certificate. Authorized copies can be used as legal identification. Only certain people qualify.

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

If you are not on the eligible list, you receive an informational copy. This type has a statement printed on it that says "INFORMATIONAL, NOT A VALID DOCUMENT TO ESTABLISH IDENTITY." You cannot use this copy for passports, driver licenses, or other ID purposes. It still shows all the information from the original record and proves a birth occurred.

When applying, state your relationship to the person on the certificate honestly. False claims are crimes under California law. The county reviews requests to verify eligibility before issuing authorized copies.

Torrance Birth Certificate Wait Times

Processing times vary depending on how you order. Los Angeles County handles the highest volume of vital records requests in the nation. Expect some wait time regardless of your method.

Walk-in requests at Norwalk typically result in same-day service. Staff can usually find records and print copies within an hour. Busy periods take longer. Going early in the morning or mid-afternoon often means shorter waits. The office opens at 8 AM.

Mail orders take 4 to 6 weeks for processing. This does not include mail transit time. Total time is about 6 weeks from when you send your request. Incomplete applications cause delays. Double-check everything before mailing.

Online orders through VitalChek process in 2 to 4 weeks. Shipping time depends on the option you choose. Standard shipping adds several more days. Expedited shipping costs extra but arrives faster. VitalChek shows estimated delivery times during checkout.

New births need extra time to appear in the system. Hospitals have 21 days to file birth records. Then the county needs processing time. Wait at least 4 to 6 weeks after a birth before ordering a certificate. Ordering too early usually results in no record being found.

California State Office Alternative

The California Department of Public Health also issues Torrance birth certificates. The state keeps copies of all California births 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 does not have a walk-in counter currently. All orders go by mail or through VitalChek online. Processing times are similar to county mail orders. The state is a good backup option if you have trouble with the county.

To order from the state, use form VS 111, 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 Torrance Birth Records

You must complete an application to request a birth certificate. Los Angeles County has its own form. The state VS 111 form also works. Either is acceptable for Torrance births.

The application asks for details about the birth. Full name on the certificate. Date of birth. Place of birth, which would be Torrance or the specific facility like Torrance Memorial Medical Center. Parents' names help narrow the search. Mother's maiden name is commonly requested. More details make it easier to locate the correct record.

You also fill in your own information. Name, address, and 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 notarization. Notary services are available at banks, UPS stores, and some office supply locations in Torrance.

Include a copy of your photo ID with mail requests. Driver license, state ID, or passport work. The county uses this to verify who you are before issuing an authorized copy.

Historical Torrance Birth Records

Torrance was incorporated in 1921, making it a relatively young city by California standards. The city has grown significantly since then, especially after World War II. Birth records from the area span over a century.

Los Angeles County has birth records going back to the late 1800s. For births before July 1905, the county is your only option since statewide registration did not exist yet. Early records from the Torrance area may be filed under different names since the city did not yet exist. The county can search historical files if you need an older record.

The California State Archives holds some historical vital records. Records more than 75 years old are open to everyone. Contact the State Archives at (916) 653-6814 to ask about their Los Angeles County holdings.

Genealogy researchers find old birth records valuable for tracing family history. The South Bay area has been home to diverse communities for generations. Old certificates often provide clues for building family trees.

Nearby Cities Birth Records

Torrance is in the South Bay region of Los Angeles County. Several other major cities are nearby, and all use Los Angeles County for vital records.

Long Beach has its own vital records office for some births, so check if the birth occurred there. Carson and other nearby cities use LA County. Redondo Beach and Hermosa Beach are also nearby in Los Angeles County. Make sure you know where the birth occurred before ordering.

Los Angeles County Birth Records

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