Find San Mateo County Birth Records
San Mateo County birth records are available from the Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder office in Redwood City. The county sits on the San Francisco Peninsula between San Francisco and Santa Clara counties. Home to many tech companies and residential communities, San Mateo County processes thousands of vital records requests each year. The Clerk-Recorder office maintains birth certificates for all events that occurred within county boundaries.
San Mateo County Birth Records Quick Facts
San Mateo County Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder
The Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder office handles all vital records for San Mateo County. This combined office manages property records, elections, and vital records including birth certificates. Staff members help the public find and obtain certified copies of these documents.
The main office is in Redwood City at 555 County Center, 1st Floor. Phone them at 650-599-1713 for questions about hours, fees, and services. The staff can tell you what documents to bring and how long processing takes. Calling ahead helps you prepare for your visit.
San Mateo County fee schedules are available from the office. Contact them for current birth certificate pricing. Fees cover searching records and producing certified copies with the county seal. Additional copies ordered at the same time may cost less per copy than the first one.
The office serves a busy county with many cities. Wait times can vary depending on the day and time you visit. Mornings early in the week tend to be busiest. Consider visiting mid-week or in the afternoon for shorter waits.
How to Request San Mateo County Birth Certificates
San Mateo County offers several ways to get a birth certificate. In-person visits provide same-day service when records are found. Mail orders work well if you cannot travel to Redwood City. Online ordering adds convenience at a higher cost. Pick the option that fits your schedule and needs.
In-person requests are processed while you wait. Bring a valid photo ID and the details of the birth you need. Tell the staff the full name on the certificate, birth date, and parent names. They search for the record and print your certified copy on the spot if found. Plan for potential wait times at the service counter.
Mail requests need a written application with complete information. Include the full name shown on the birth certificate, date of birth, place of birth within San Mateo County, and both parent names if available. Your request must also have a copy of your ID, your signature, and a check or money order for the fee. Mail everything to the Clerk-Recorder office in Redwood City.
Mail processing takes about one to two weeks after receipt. Add time for mail delivery both ways. The office sends your certified copy to the return address you provide. Use a clear and complete address for safe delivery.
Online ordering goes through VitalChek or the county website if available. VitalChek adds a service fee on top of the certificate fee. Total cost is higher than ordering directly. Online ordering is available around the clock without office visits. Most orders ship within two to three weeks.
Who Can Receive San Mateo County Birth Certificates
California law limits who can get an authorized copy of a birth certificate. Health and Safety Code Section 103526 lists eligible requesters. Only authorized copies work as legal identification documents.
People who can get 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 get copies for official duties.
If you are not on this list, you can still get an informational copy. These copies show the same birth information but have a legend printed on them. The legend states the document is not valid for establishing identity. You cannot use an informational copy for passports, ID cards, or other official identification.
When ordering, state your relationship to the person on the certificate. The county may ask for proof of your relationship. Be honest about your eligibility. False statements on vital records requests are crimes under California law.
Birth Certificates for Peninsula Cities
San Mateo County includes many cities on the San Francisco Peninsula. No city in the county has its own vital records office. All birth certificates come from the county Clerk-Recorder regardless of which city the birth happened in.
Major cities in San Mateo County include Daly City, San Mateo, Redwood City, South San Francisco, and Pacifica. Smaller cities and unincorporated areas also depend on the county office. The county processes birth certificate requests for all these communities.
San Mateo County includes San Francisco International Airport. Births that occur at the airport or nearby would be filed in San Mateo County. The county office handles these records just like any other birth in the county.
The county sits between San Francisco to the north and Santa Clara County to the south. Families living near county borders might have births at hospitals in neighboring counties. Always confirm where the birth actually occurred before ordering a certificate.
Historical Birth Records in San Mateo County
San Mateo County has birth records going back to when the county was created in 1856. The county was carved out of San Francisco County. For births before July 1905, the county may be your only source since the state did not start central records until then.
Historical records are searched using the same process as recent ones. Give the staff as much information as you have about the birth. Old records may be stored on microfilm or in bound ledger books. Staff members know how to search these formats.
Very old birth certificates often contain less information than modern ones. Parent occupations, hospital names, and complete addresses may be missing. Names might appear in different spellings. Be flexible when searching for historical records.
The California State Archives has some historical vital records from various counties. If San Mateo County cannot find an old birth record, try the State Archives at 916-653-6814. Records more than 75 years old are generally open to anyone without the usual restrictions on access.
State-Level Birth Records
The California Department of Public Health maintains copies of San Mateo 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 for legal purposes.
State records cost $29 per copy. 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.
For quick service, the county is better because you can visit in person. If you moved away from the Bay Area, the state may be more convenient since you can order by mail from anywhere in the country.
VitalChek handles online orders for both county and state certificates. When ordering online, you choose which source to use. Compare total costs including fees and shipping before deciding.
California Birth Certificate 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 sends it to the state.
Access rules come from Health and Safety Code Section 103526. This law says who can get authorized copies and who receives informational copies. It balances privacy protection with legitimate needs for vital records.
New birth records are not immediately available after a birth. It takes three to six weeks for the registration process to complete. Order too soon and you may get a notice that no record was found. The search fee is still charged. Wait at least 21 days after a birth to order a new certificate.
Birth certificate fraud carries serious penalties. Making false certificates or using them fraudulently can result in fines and jail time. Be honest when requesting records and never alter or misuse a birth certificate.
Nearby Counties
San Mateo County is on the San Francisco Peninsula. It shares borders with San Francisco County to the north and Santa Clara County to the south. Alameda County is across the bay to the east. If the birth happened in one of these counties, you need to contact that county instead.
The Peninsula has many hospitals used by families from multiple counties. A family living in San Mateo County might have a birth at a hospital in San Francisco or Santa Clara County. Check where the birth actually happened before ordering.
Stanford University Medical Center is in Santa Clara County near the San Mateo County line. Births at Stanford would be filed in Santa Clara County even for San Mateo County residents who used the hospital. Hospital records can confirm which county has the birth certificate.
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 Mateo County
All cities in San Mateo County use the county Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder for birth certificates. Select a city for more local information.