Sacramento County Birth Records

Birth records in Sacramento County are managed by the County Clerk-Recorder department. The office keeps certified copies of all births that happened within county boundaries. Sacramento County is home to the state capital and has a population of about 1.6 million people. The Clerk-Recorder handles vital records along with property documents, marriage licenses, and other official records. You can order birth certificates in person at the downtown Sacramento office, through the mail, or online.

Sacramento County Clerk-Recorder Office

The main office for vital records is at 600 8th Street in downtown Sacramento. This building is near the county courthouse complex. Paid parking is available in nearby garages and on the street. The office serves a large population, so lines can be long during busy periods.

Office hours run Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 4 PM. The office closes for state holidays. Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before closing if you need a birth certificate processed the same day. Early mornings and mid-week days tend to be less crowded than Mondays and Fridays.

You can reach the office by phone at 916-874-6334. Staff can answer questions about fees, hours, and required documents. They cannot confirm whether a specific birth record exists until you submit a formal request.

Payment options include cash, checks, money orders, and credit cards. Credit card transactions may have a small convenience fee. Checks should be made payable to Sacramento County Clerk-Recorder. A bounced check results in extra charges on top of the original fee.

How to Order Sacramento County Birth Certificates

Sacramento County offers three ways to get a birth certificate. Pick the method that fits your timeline and situation.

In-person requests are the fastest option. Visit the Clerk-Recorder office at 600 8th Street in Sacramento. Fill out the application form and show your ID. Pay the $34 fee. If the birth is in the system, you can usually get a certified copy the same day. Very old records may take a bit longer to find and print.

Mail orders work when you cannot visit the office. Write a letter with the full name on the birth certificate, date of birth, place of birth, mother's maiden name, and father's name if available. State your reason for the request and how you are related to the person. Send a photocopy of your ID and a check for $34. Mail it to Sacramento County Clerk-Recorder, P.O. Box 839, Sacramento, CA 95812-0839. Allow 4 to 6 weeks for processing and delivery.

Online ordering goes through VitalChek, the approved vendor for California vital records. You fill out a form on their website and pay by credit card. The $34 county fee applies plus a service charge. Orders ship within 2 to 4 weeks depending on your delivery choice.

Who Can Get a Sacramento County Birth Certificate

California law limits who can receive an authorized copy of a birth certificate. The rules are in Health and Safety Code Section 103526. Not everyone qualifies for a copy that works as legal ID.

The authorized list includes the person named on the certificate. Parents shown on the birth record can also get copies. Legal guardians, grandparents, grandchildren, siblings, spouses, and domestic partners qualify too. Attorneys with proper authorization may request copies for clients. Government agencies get access for official duties.

Anyone not on that list receives an informational copy. This version has words printed across the face saying it is not valid for ID. You can still use it for genealogy research or personal files. All the same birth details appear on both versions.

Bring your driver's license, state ID, or passport when you visit. Mail requests need a clear photocopy of your ID. This helps the office verify you can receive the type of copy you want. No ID leads to delays or denial.

Information Needed for Birth Certificate Requests

Complete details help staff find your record faster. The more facts you provide, the quicker the search goes. Sacramento County has over a century of birth records on file.

Provide the full name on the birth certificate. Include first, middle, and last names exactly as they appear on the document. Give the date of birth. If you only know the month and year, mention that, but the exact date speeds things up. Name the place of birth. Was it in Sacramento, Elk Grove, Rancho Cordova, or elsewhere in the county?

List the mother's maiden name. This is the surname she used before any marriage. Father's name helps if he is on the record. These details confirm identity when there are common names in the files.

State your reason for the request. Common uses include passports, driver's licenses, school enrollment, and benefits applications. Write your relationship to the person on the certificate. Add your full name, mailing address, phone number, and signature. Staff may need to contact you with questions.

Sacramento County Birth Certificate Fees

The fee for a certified copy of a birth certificate is $34 in Sacramento County. Each additional copy ordered at the same time also costs $34. This matches the standard rate for California vital records.

You can pay with cash, check, money order, or credit card. Credit card payments may include a convenience fee. Checks go to Sacramento County Clerk-Recorder. A returned check means extra charges on top of the original amount.

Online vendors charge their own service fees beyond the $34 base cost. These fees cover processing and shipping. Expect to pay $10 to $20 extra when you order through VitalChek or a similar service. Rush delivery adds more to the total.

No refunds are given if no record is found. The office still spends time searching the files. Consider this before you order if you are unsure the birth took place in Sacramento County. The state office might work better when the location is unclear.

California State Vital Records Office

The California Department of Public Health Vital Records office is also in Sacramento. This is separate from the Sacramento County Clerk-Recorder. The state office has birth records for all California births since July 1905, not just Sacramento County births.

The state office handles mail and online orders only. They do not have a public counter for walk-in service. Use the state office when you are not sure which county the birth took place in. The fee is $29 through the state, slightly less than the county rate.

Both offices are in Sacramento, but they serve different purposes. The county office has local records, including some that predate the state system. The state office has statewide records but only going back to 1905. Pick the right office based on where and when the birth happened.

Historical Birth Records in Sacramento County

Sacramento County is one of the original 27 counties created when California became a state in 1850. Birth records from the early years can be spotty. Not every birth was registered, especially in remote areas or during chaotic Gold Rush times.

For births before July 1905, the county is your only source. The California state health department started keeping records in July 1905. Anything older must come from the county where the birth happened. Contact the Sacramento County Clerk-Recorder if you need a very old certificate.

The California State Archives holds some historical vital records. Their collection may include old Sacramento County entries useful for genealogy work. The archives are located nearby at 1020 O Street. You can also call (916) 653-6814 or email ArchivesWeb@sos.ca.gov for research help.

Delayed birth certificates can be created if no original record exists. This legal document proves a birth happened even though it was never registered at the time. You need evidence like hospital records, baptism papers, census entries, or school records. The Clerk-Recorder can explain the process if you need a delayed registration.

California Birth Registration Requirements

State law requires all live births to be registered. Under Health and Safety Code Section 102400, filing must happen within 21 days of birth. Hospitals and birth attendants handle the paperwork. They send data to the local registrar, which forwards it to the state.

New birth records do not appear instantly. Expect 3 to 6 weeks for the record to show up in both county and state systems. Ordering too soon after a birth may result in a no record found notice. The fee is charged even when nothing turns up.

Amendments to birth certificates follow a different process. If there is an error, you can ask for a correction. The Clerk-Recorder has forms for name changes, paternity updates, and other fixes. Some corrections need a court order. Ask staff what documents you need before you start.

Privacy rules protect birth records statewide. Only people on the authorized list can get full copies. This keeps personal information safe from identity theft and misuse. The same rules apply in every California county.

Cities in Sacramento County

Sacramento County has multiple cities and many unincorporated communities. None of them issue their own birth certificates. All residents go through the county Clerk-Recorder for birth records.

Major cities served include Sacramento, Elk Grove, Rancho Cordova, Folsom, and Citrus Heights. Residents of all these places and the surrounding areas use the same downtown Sacramento office for birth certificates.

Nearby Counties

If the birth did not take place in Sacramento County, you need to contact the right county office. Regional hospitals sometimes serve patients from multiple counties.

Placer County borders to the northeast. El Dorado County is to the east. San Joaquin County sits to the south. Yolo County is to the west. Sutter County borders to the north. Each county keeps its own vital records at its own Clerk-Recorder office.