Ventura County Birth Records

Birth records in Ventura County are managed by the County Clerk-Recorder office. This Southern California county stretches from the Pacific coast to the mountain ranges inland. With cities like Oxnard, Thousand Oaks, and Simi Valley, Ventura County is home to about 850,000 people. If you or a family member was born here, the Clerk-Recorder can provide a certified copy of the birth certificate. This guide covers the fees, the process, and what documents you need to bring or send in.

Ventura County Clerk-Recorder Office

The main office for birth certificates is the Ventura County Clerk-Recorder in the city of Ventura. This office handles all vital records for the county. Staff can help you with forms, answer questions, and process your request.

The main office address is 800 South Victoria Avenue, Ventura, CA 93009. The office is open Monday through Friday. Hours may vary, so call 805-654-2263 to check before you visit. The office is closed on state holidays.

When you arrive, take a number and wait for the clerk to call you. Bring your photo ID and be ready to fill out a form. You write down the name on the birth record, the date of birth, and your relationship to that person. After you pay, the clerk searches for the record. Most visits take about 15 to 30 minutes if the record is in the system.

Ventura County may have branch offices in other cities. Check the county website or call the main number to ask about other locations. Branch offices can sometimes handle birth certificate requests and may be closer to where you live.

Birth Certificate Fees

The fee for a certified copy of a birth certificate in Ventura County is $31 per copy. This is the standard fee for most California counties. If you need more than one copy, each extra copy costs $31 as well.

Payment can be made by cash, check, or card at the counter. Checks should be made out to Ventura County Clerk. There may be a small charge for credit or debit card use. Ask the clerk before you pay if you want to know the exact amount.

If you order by mail, send a check or money order. Do not send cash in the mail. Make sure to include enough for all the copies you want. The office will return your request if the payment is wrong or missing.

How to Order Birth Records

You can get a birth certificate from Ventura County in several ways. Pick the method that works best for your schedule and needs.

In person is the fastest way. Go to the Clerk-Recorder office in Ventura or a branch location. Fill out the form, show your ID, and pay the fee. If the record is on file, you can leave with it in about 20 minutes. Older or harder to find records may take more time.

By mail works well if you cannot visit in person. Download the form from the county website or write a letter with all the details. Include the full name on the record, the date of birth, the place of birth, and your reason for the request. Add a copy of your photo ID and a check for $31 per copy. Mail it to the Clerk-Recorder at 800 South Victoria Avenue, Ventura, CA 93009. Allow 2 to 3 weeks for processing and mail time.

Online ordering is also an option through VitalChek. You fill out the form on their website and pay with a card. They add a service fee on top of the county fee. The total is higher, but it can be more handy if you do not want to print forms or go to the post office. Expect 3 to 4 weeks for delivery.

Who Can Get a Certified Copy

California has rules about who can get an authorized copy of a birth certificate. Only certain people can request one. If you are not on the list, you can still get a copy, but it will be marked as informational only.

People who can get an authorized copy include the person named on the certificate, a parent on the record, a legal guardian, a spouse, a domestic partner, a child, a grandchild, a grandparent, or a sibling. Attorneys can get copies for their clients. Law enforcement and government workers can request copies for official use.

If you are not in one of these groups, you will get an informational copy. This copy has words on it that say it is not valid for proving identity. You can use it for family research or to see what is on the record. It just will not work for things like getting a passport or driver license.

Information Needed for Your Request

To get a birth certificate, you need to give some basic facts about the birth. The more you know, the easier it is for the clerk to find the record.

Start with the full name on the birth record. This is the name at the time of birth, not any name changes since then. Give the date of birth if you know it. Even a close guess helps narrow things down. The place of birth should be in Ventura County for this office to have the record. If the birth was in a different county, you need to contact that county instead.

The mother's maiden name is often asked for. This is the last name the mother had before marriage. The father's name can help too if it is on the record. You also need to give your own name, your relationship to the person on the record, and your reason for the request. Bring a photo ID like a driver license, state ID, or passport to prove who you are.

Processing Times

In person visits are the fastest. Most people leave with their birth certificate in 15 to 30 minutes. If the record is old or hard to find, the wait may be longer. The clerk will tell you if there is a delay.

Mail requests take 2 to 3 weeks on average. This includes time for your letter to arrive, time for the office to process it, and time for the certificate to come back to you. If you need it faster, go in person or use an expedited online service.

Online orders through VitalChek take about 3 to 4 weeks. You can pay extra for faster shipping. Check their site for current options and prices.

Older and Historical Records

Ventura County has birth records going back to the 1870s. The county was formed in 1872, so records from that era may still exist. Very old records might be on microfilm or stored in a different location from newer files.

For births before July 1905, the county is often the only source. The state did not start keeping statewide records until that date. If you need a very old record, call the office first. Staff can tell you if they have it and how to get it.

Records more than 75 years old are usually open to anyone. You do not need to prove a family tie for genealogy research on older records. The clerk can help you find what is available and guide you through the process.

State Level Birth Records

You can also get a Ventura County birth record from the California Department of Public Health. The state has copies of all births since July 1905. This is a good option if the county office is busy or if you prefer to order everything online.

The state fee is $29 per copy. Online services like VitalChek add a charge on top of that. The total is usually about $31 or more. Processing takes several weeks by mail. The state does not have a public counter right now.

Some people prefer the county office for faster in person service. Others like the state option because they can do it all from home. Both give you the same certified copy of the birth record.

Nearby Counties

If you need birth records from areas near Ventura County, check with these neighboring offices.

Los Angeles County is to the east. Santa Barbara County is to the north along the coast. Kern County is to the north inland. Each county has its own clerk-recorder office with its own fees and hours.

Ventura County sits between LA and Santa Barbara on the coast. If you are not sure which county a birth took place in, the clerk may be able to help. Hospital records or family members can also give you clues.

Cities in Ventura County

Ventura County has several cities and unincorporated areas. The county seat is the city of Ventura. All residents in the county go to the county Clerk-Recorder for birth certificates. No city in Ventura County has its own vital records office.

Major cities in the county include Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Oxnard, and Camarillo. Smaller cities like Moorpark, Port Hueneme, Santa Paula, and Fillmore are also served by the county office. The process is the same no matter where in Ventura County you live or were born.