Find San Diego County Birth Records
San Diego County birth records are managed by the Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk office in downtown San Diego. The county keeps birth certificates for all events that occurred within its borders since vital records began in California. With over three million residents, San Diego County processes thousands of birth certificate requests each year. The office offers multiple ways to order including in person, by mail, and online.
San Diego County Birth Records Quick Facts
San Diego County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk
The Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk office handles all vital records for San Diego County. This includes birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage records. The office is part of the county government and serves as the official repository for these important documents.
The main office is in downtown San Diego at 1600 Pacific Highway, Room 260. You can reach them by phone at 619-237-0502. The office has extended hours on certain days and accepts walk-in customers during posted times. Call ahead to confirm current hours and check if appointments are available.
San Diego County charges $34 for each certified copy of a birth certificate. This fee applies to all request methods. Additional copies ordered at the same time cost the same per copy. Payment can be made by cash, check, money order, or credit card depending on how you order.
The county also has branch offices in other locations throughout San Diego County. These branches can handle some vital records requests. Not all services are available at every location. Check the county website or call to find a branch office near you and confirm they can process birth certificate orders.
How to Request San Diego County Birth Certificates
San Diego County offers three main ways to get a birth certificate. You can visit in person for same-day service. Mail orders work well if you cannot travel. Online ordering through VitalChek provides 24-hour access. Each option has different processing times and total costs.
In-person requests are the fastest way to get a certificate. Go to the main office or an authorized branch location with your photo ID. Tell the staff whose birth certificate you need and provide as much detail as possible. They will search for the record and print your certified copy while you wait if it is found. Expect some wait time during busy periods.
Mail requests require a written application with complete information. Include the full name on the birth certificate, date of birth, place of birth in San Diego County, and names of both parents if known. You must also include a copy of your valid photo ID, your signature, and a check or money order for the fee. Mail everything to the main office address.
Processing time for mail orders runs about seven to ten business days after receipt. Add time for mailing in both directions. Use a return address that is clear and accurate. The county will mail your certified copy to the address you provide once processing is complete.
Online ordering is handled through VitalChek, the approved vendor for California vital records. VitalChek adds a service fee on top of the county fee. The total cost is higher than ordering directly. However, you can place your order any time of day or night without visiting an office. Most online orders ship within two to three weeks.
Who Can Get San Diego County Birth Certificates
California law determines who can receive an authorized copy of a birth certificate. An authorized copy works as legal identification. Not everyone qualifies under the rules set by Health and Safety Code Section 103526.
People eligible for authorized copies include the person named on the certificate, their parents, legal guardians, children, grandparents, grandchildren, siblings, spouse, or domestic partner. Attorneys representing any of these people also qualify. Government agencies and law enforcement can get copies for official purposes.
Anyone else can only get an informational copy. These copies have the same information but include a statement printed across the face. The statement says the document is not valid to establish identity. You cannot use an informational copy for passports, driver licenses, or other identification needs.
When ordering, you must state your relationship to the person on the certificate. The county may ask for proof of your connection to the person. Making false statements on a vital records request is a crime under California law. Be honest about your eligibility to avoid problems.
Birth Certificates for San Diego County Residents
San Diego County includes the city of San Diego and many other communities. No city in the county has its own vital records office. All birth certificates come from the county office regardless of which city the birth occurred in.
Major cities in San Diego County include San Diego, Chula Vista, Oceanside, Escondido, Carlsbad, El Cajon, and Vista. Residents of all these cities use the county Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk for birth certificates. Smaller cities and unincorporated areas also go through the same county office.
The birth must have happened within San Diego County for the county to have the record. Birth certificates are filed based on where the birth took place, not where the family lived. If a San Diego County family had their baby at a hospital in another county, that other county would have the birth record.
San Diego County borders Mexico and has many military installations. Military families stationed here may have babies born on base or at civilian hospitals. Either way, if the birth happened in San Diego County, the record is filed here. Check hospital records if you are unsure which county the birth occurred in.
Historical Birth Records in San Diego County
San Diego County was one of the original 27 counties created when California became a state in 1850. The county has birth records going back many decades. For births before July 1905, the county may be your only source since the state did not start its central registry until then.
Older records are searched the same way as recent ones. Give the staff as much information as you can about the birth date and parents. Historical records may be stored on microfilm or in old ledger books. Staff members know how to search these formats.
Very old birth certificates may have less information than modern ones. Early records might not include all the details we expect today. Parent occupations, hospital names, and other data may be missing. Names might be spelled differently than you expect.
The California State Archives has some historical vital records from various counties. If the county cannot find an old record, contact the State Archives at 916-653-6814. Records more than 75 years old are generally open to anyone without restrictions on who can access them.
State-Level Birth Records
The California Department of Public Health keeps copies of San Diego County birth records from July 1905 onward. You can order from the county or the state. Both provide valid certified copies that work the same way.
State records cost $29 per copy. This is less than the county fee. But the state office has no public counter. You must order by mail or online. Processing takes 10 to 15 business days plus mailing time. The county office may be faster if you can visit in person.
VitalChek processes orders for both county and state certificates. When ordering online, you choose your source. The state base fee is lower but service charges are the same. Compare total costs to decide which option works better for you.
The state is useful if the county cannot find a record. Sometimes records are indexed differently at each level. If one source comes up empty, the other might have better results. The state also works well if you moved away from San Diego County and cannot easily visit the local office.
California Birth Certificate Laws
California law requires all live births to be registered within 21 days. Health and Safety Code Section 102400 makes this a legal requirement. Hospitals and birth attendants file the paperwork with the local registrar who sends it to the state.
Who can get certified copies is controlled by Health and Safety Code Section 103526. This statute lists all eligible requesters and explains the difference between authorized and informational copies. The law balances privacy concerns with legitimate needs for vital records.
New births take time to appear in the system. After a baby is born, the hospital sends paperwork to the county. The county reviews it and sends a copy to the state. This process takes three to six weeks. Order too soon and you may get a notice saying no record was found.
The fee is charged even when no record is found. This is legal under state law. The fee covers the search, not just the certificate. To avoid paying for nothing, wait at least 21 days after a birth before ordering a new certificate. Six weeks is even safer for new births.
Nearby Counties
San Diego County is in the far southwest corner of California. It borders Mexico to the south. Other California counties nearby include Orange County, Riverside County, and Imperial County. If the birth happened in one of these counties, contact that county office instead.
San Diego County residents near the county borders might have births at hospitals in other counties. A family in northern San Diego County might use a hospital in Orange County. A family near the eastern border might have a birth in Imperial County. Always check where the birth actually occurred before ordering.
Browse More California Counties
Need birth records from another California county? Each of the 58 counties has its own Clerk-Recorder office. Select a county below or view the full list.
Cities in San Diego County
All cities in San Diego County use the county Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk for birth certificates. Select a city for more local information.