Access San Francisco Birth Records

San Francisco birth records are handled differently than most California counties because San Francisco is both a city and a county combined. The city has two offices that issue birth certificates depending on when the birth happened. Recent births within the last three years go through the Department of Public Health. Older births are handled by the County Clerk at City Hall. This guide explains both offices and how to request certificates from each one.

San Francisco Two-Office System for Birth Certificates

San Francisco is unique in California. The city and county are the same government entity. This means there is no separate county office like other places have. Birth certificates are split between two different city departments based on the age of the record.

For births that happened within the last three years, you need to contact the Department of Public Health Office of Vital Records. This office is at 101 Grove Street, Room 105 in San Francisco. They handle recent birth registrations and issue certificates for new births. The staff there can help you with any birth that occurred recently.

For births that happened more than three years ago, you go to the County Clerk at City Hall. The County Clerk office is in City Hall at 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 160. This office has older birth records and issues certificates for births from the past. Most people looking for their own birth certificate or a family member's older certificate will use this office.

The main phone number for both offices is 415-554-2700. Call this number to ask which office handles your request and to confirm current hours and fees. Staff can direct you to the right location based on when the birth happened.

Department of Public Health Office of Vital Records

The DPH Office of Vital Records handles birth certificates for events that occurred within the past three years. If a baby was born recently in San Francisco, this is where you go. The office registers new births and issues the first certified copies to parents.

The office address is 101 Grove Street, Room 105, San Francisco, CA 94102. This location is in the Civic Center area near City Hall. Public transit serves the area well. Parking can be difficult so consider taking BART or Muni if possible.

Visit during posted business hours for walk-in service. Bring a valid photo ID and know the details of the birth you need. Staff will search for the record and issue your certificate if found. New parents often visit this office shortly after a birth to get their first certified copies.

Mail and online ordering may also be available through this office. Call 415-554-2700 to ask about current options and fees. Processing times vary based on the method you choose. In-person visits are typically the fastest way to get a recent birth certificate.

County Clerk at City Hall

The County Clerk handles birth certificates for events that happened more than three years ago. This office maintains the older vital records for San Francisco. If you need a birth certificate from the past, this is your destination.

The County Clerk office is at City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 160, San Francisco, CA 94102. City Hall is a beautiful historic building in the Civic Center. The office is on the main floor near other county services.

Walk-in service is available during business hours. Bring your photo ID and information about the birth you need. Include the full name, date of birth, and parent names if known. Staff will search the records and provide your certificate if the record is found.

The County Clerk also handles marriage licenses, domestic partnerships, and other vital records. The office gets busy, especially around holidays and at the end of the month. Plan for wait times if you visit during peak hours. Calling ahead to check wait times can save you time.

How to Order San Francisco Birth Certificates

You can get San Francisco birth certificates in person, by mail, or online. The process is similar to other counties but you need to know which office to contact based on the birth date. Recent births go through DPH. Older births go through the County Clerk.

In-person requests offer same-day service when the record is found. Visit the appropriate office with your ID and the birth information. Staff will search and print your certified copy while you wait. This is the best option if you need the certificate quickly and can visit during business hours.

Mail requests work for both offices. Send a written request with the birth details, a copy of your ID, your signature, and payment. Include the full name on the certificate, date of birth, place of birth in San Francisco, and parent names. Address your request to the correct office based on the birth date.

Online ordering is available through VitalChek. This approved vendor processes orders for San Francisco birth certificates. VitalChek charges a service fee on top of the base certificate fee. Total cost is higher than ordering directly. Orders typically ship within two to four weeks after processing.

Processing times for mail orders depend on the office workload. Allow one to two weeks for processing plus mailing time both ways. The office will send your certified copy to the address you provide. Use a clear return address to ensure delivery.

Who Can Get San Francisco Birth Certificates

California law controls who can receive an authorized copy of a birth certificate. Health and Safety Code Section 103526 lists eligible requesters. San Francisco follows the same state rules as other counties.

Authorized requesters include the person named on the certificate, parents, legal guardians, children, grandparents, grandchildren, siblings, spouse, or domestic partner. Attorneys acting for these people also qualify. Government agencies and law enforcement get copies for official business.

If you do not qualify for an authorized copy, you can request an informational copy. These copies contain the same information but have a legend printed across them. The legend says the document is not valid for establishing identity. Informational copies cannot be used for passports, ID cards, or other official identification.

When you request a certificate, you must state your relationship to the person on the record. San Francisco staff may ask for additional proof of your relationship. Be honest about your eligibility. Making false statements on vital records requests is a crime with serious consequences.

Historical San Francisco Birth Records

San Francisco has birth records going back to when the city was founded. However, many early records were destroyed in the 1906 earthquake and fire. The disaster wiped out large portions of city records including vital records from that era.

If you need a birth record from before 1906, the city may not have it. Some records were reconstructed after the earthquake. Others were lost forever. The County Clerk staff can tell you what records they have for specific time periods.

For births before July 1905 that survived, San Francisco may be your only source. The state did not start keeping central birth records until 1905. After that date, both the city and state should have copies of any San Francisco birth.

The California State Archives has some historical vital records. If San Francisco cannot find an old record, try the State Archives at 916-653-6814. Records more than 75 years old are generally open to anyone. The Archives may have records that survived the earthquake or were reconstructed later.

State-Level Birth Records

The California Department of Public Health has copies of San Francisco birth records from July 1905 onward. You can order from the city or the state. Both sources provide valid certified copies.

State records cost $29 per copy. The state office does not have a public counter for walk-in service. All state orders go by mail or through online vendors. Processing takes 10 to 15 business days plus mailing time.

San Francisco may be faster for in-person requests since you can visit an office. But if you moved away and cannot visit, the state is a good alternative. The state accepts mail orders from anywhere and processes them the same regardless of where you live now.

VitalChek can process orders for both San Francisco and state certificates. When ordering online, you choose which source to use. Compare fees and processing times to decide which works better for your needs.

California Birth Record Laws

California law requires birth registration within 21 days. Health and Safety Code Section 102400 makes this mandatory. Hospitals and birth attendants file birth certificates with the local registrar who sends them to the state.

Access rules come from Health and Safety Code Section 103526. This law defines who can get authorized copies versus informational copies. San Francisco follows these state rules even though it operates differently as a combined city-county.

New birth records take time to be available. After a birth, the hospital files paperwork with DPH. The registration process takes several weeks. Order too soon after a birth and you may be told no record exists yet. Wait three to six weeks for a new birth to appear in the system.

The certificate fee is charged even when no record is found. This covers the cost of searching. Wait until the record should be registered before ordering to avoid paying for an unsuccessful search.

Nearby Counties

San Francisco is a small county geographically. The entire city fits within about 47 square miles. Several other counties surround San Francisco. If the birth happened outside the city, you need to contact a different county.

San Mateo County is directly to the south. Marin County is to the north across the Golden Gate Bridge. Alameda County and Contra Costa County are to the east across the bay. Many Bay Area families live near county borders and might have births at hospitals in different counties.

Check where the birth actually occurred before ordering. A family living in San Francisco might have used a hospital in a neighboring county. Birth certificates are filed based on the birth location, not where the family lived. Confirm the county before placing your order.

Browse More California Counties

Looking for birth records from another California county? Each county has its own Clerk-Recorder or equivalent office. Select a county below or view the full list.

View All 58 Counties

Bay Area Cities

San Francisco is the only major city in San Francisco County since it is a combined city-county. Nearby cities in other counties may also be helpful.