Search San Bernardino County Birth Records
San Bernardino County birth records are available through the Assessor-Recorder-Clerk office in San Bernardino city. As the largest county in the United States by land area, San Bernardino County serves a population spread across cities, deserts, and mountain communities. The Recorder-Clerk division handles all vital records including birth certificates for events that occurred within county boundaries. Multiple service locations help residents access these important documents.
San Bernardino County Birth Records Quick Facts
San Bernardino County Assessor-Recorder-Clerk
The Assessor-Recorder-Clerk office is where you get birth certificates in San Bernardino County. This combined office handles property records, elections, and vital records all under one roof. The vital records division takes care of birth, death, and marriage certificates for events that happened in the county.
The main office is in the city of San Bernardino at 222 West Hospitality Lane, Second Floor. You can also reach them by phone at 909-387-8306. Call ahead to check current hours and ask about wait times. The office gets busy, so calling first can save you time and frustration.
San Bernardino County charges $34 for each certified copy of a birth certificate. This fee applies whether you order in person, by mail, or online. Additional copies ordered at the same time cost the same amount. The fee covers searching the records and producing a certified copy with the county seal.
Because the county is so large, there are branch offices in other cities. Check the county website for locations closer to you. Branch offices may have shorter wait times than the main office. Not all services are available at every branch, so call ahead to make sure the location you pick can process birth certificate requests.
How to Order Birth Certificates in San Bernardino County
You have several ways to get a birth certificate from San Bernardino County. In-person visits give you the fastest results. Mail orders work if you cannot travel. Online ordering through VitalChek offers convenience from home. Pick the method that fits your needs and timeline.
In-person requests are processed while you wait if the record is found. Bring a valid photo ID and know the details of the birth you need. Staff will search for the record and print your certified copy if they find it. Plan for possible wait times, especially during lunch hours and early in the week when offices tend to be busiest.
Mail orders require a written request with complete information about the birth. You need to include the full name on the certificate, date of birth, place of birth within San Bernardino County, and parent names if known. Your request must also have a copy of your photo ID, your signature, and your reason for needing the record. Include a check or money order payable to the County of San Bernardino for the correct fee amount.
Send mail requests to the Vital Records division at the main office address. Processing time runs about one to two weeks once they receive your request. Add mailing time both ways. The office will send your certified copy to the address you provide. Use a clear return address so your certificate arrives safely.
Online ordering goes through VitalChek. This approved vendor charges a service fee on top of the county fee. Total cost will be higher than ordering directly from the county. However, online ordering is available 24 hours a day and does not require a trip to the office. Orders typically ship within two to four weeks after processing.
Who Can Request San Bernardino County Birth Certificates
California law controls who can get an authorized copy of a birth certificate. Health and Safety Code Section 103526 lists the people who qualify. Not everyone can receive a certified copy that works as legal identification.
Authorized requesters include the person named on the certificate, their parents, legal guardians, children, grandparents, grandchildren, siblings, spouse, or domestic partner. Attorneys acting for these people also qualify. Government agencies and law enforcement get access for official duties.
If you do not qualify for an authorized copy, you can still get an informational copy. These copies show the same birth information but have a statement printed across them. The statement says the document is not valid for establishing identity. You cannot use an informational copy to get a passport, driver license, or other identification.
When you request a certificate, you must state your relationship to the person on the record and your reason for needing it. The county may ask for proof of your relationship in some cases. False statements on a vital records request are a crime. Be truthful about your eligibility to avoid legal problems.
Birth Certificates for San Bernardino County Cities
San Bernardino County includes many cities and communities. None of these cities have their own vital records offices. All birth certificates for births within the county come from the county Recorder-Clerk office, no matter which city the birth happened in.
The city of San Bernardino is the county seat. Other major cities in the county include Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, Ontario, Victorville, and Rialto. Residents of all these cities get birth certificates from the same county office. The county also covers High Desert cities like Hesperia, Apple Valley, and Barstow.
If you live in a smaller city or unincorporated area of San Bernardino County, you still go to the county office for birth certificates. There is no difference in the process based on where you live within the county. The fee and requirements are the same for everyone.
Make sure the birth actually happened in San Bernardino County before you order. Birth certificates are filed based on where the birth occurred, not where the family lived. A family living in Fontana might have had their baby at a hospital in Los Angeles County. In that case, you would need to contact Los Angeles County for the birth certificate.
Historical Birth Records
San Bernardino County has birth records going back to when the county was founded in 1853. For births before July 1905, the county is your only source since the state did not start keeping central records until then. These older records may have less detail than modern certificates.
Historical records are searched the same way as recent ones. Tell the staff the approximate year if you do not know the exact date. Old records may be stored on microfilm or in bound books. The staff knows how to search these formats and can help you find what you need.
Very old birth records sometimes lack information we expect today. Early certificates might not have hospital names, doctor information, or complete parent details. Spelling of names may vary from modern versions. Be flexible when searching for historical records.
The California State Archives also has some historical vital records. If the county cannot find an old birth record, try contacting the State Archives at 916-653-6814. Records more than 75 years old are generally open to anyone without eligibility restrictions.
California State Birth Records
The California Department of Public Health has copies of San Bernardino County birth records from July 1905 to present. You can order from either the county or the state. Both sources provide valid certified copies.
State records also cost $29 per copy, which is less than the county fee. However, the state office does not have a public counter. All orders must go by mail or through online vendors. Processing takes 10 to 15 business days plus mailing time. If you need a certificate quickly, the county office may be faster since you can go in person.
VitalChek handles online orders for both county and state certificates. When you order online, you choose which source to use. State orders may cost less in base fees but have the same vendor service charges. Compare total costs before ordering.
The state is a good backup if the county cannot find a record. Sometimes records get misfiled or indexed differently at different levels. If one source says no record exists, trying the other source may yield better results.
California Birth Record Laws
California law requires all live births to be registered within 21 days. Health and Safety Code Section 102400 makes this mandatory. Hospitals and birth attendants file the birth certificate with the local registrar, who forwards it to the state.
Access rules come from Health and Safety Code Section 103526. This law says who can get authorized copies and who gets informational copies. It protects birth records from misuse while allowing legitimate access for family members and officials.
New birth records are not available right away. It takes three to six weeks for a new birth to be registered and appear in the system. If you order too soon, you will get a certificate of no public record. The fee is still charged even when no record is found. Wait at least 21 days after a birth to order a new certificate.
Crimes involving birth certificates carry serious penalties. Making a false birth certificate or using one fraudulently can result in fines and jail time. Be honest when you request records and never alter or misuse a birth certificate.
Nearby Counties
San Bernardino County shares borders with several other California counties. If the birth happened outside San Bernardino County, you need to contact that county instead. Birth certificates are filed where the birth occurred.
Los Angeles County is to the west. Riverside County is to the south. Kern County is to the north. Inyo County and San Diego County also border San Bernardino County. The county also borders Nevada and Arizona to the east.
Many San Bernardino County residents live near county lines. A birth might have occurred at a hospital in a neighboring county even if the family lived in San Bernardino County. Check hospital records to confirm which county the birth was actually in before ordering.
Browse More California Counties
Looking for birth records from another county? California has 58 counties with their own Clerk-Recorder offices. Select a county below or view the full list.
Cities in San Bernardino County
Major cities in San Bernardino County all use the county Recorder-Clerk for birth certificates. Select a city below for more information about local resources.