Find Yolo County Birth Records

Birth records in Yolo County are kept by the County Clerk-Recorder office in Woodland. This county in the Sacramento Valley is home to the city of Davis and the University of California Davis campus. Whether you were born in Davis, Woodland, West Sacramento, or any other part of the county, the Clerk-Recorder can help you get a certified copy of your birth certificate. This guide covers how to request a record, what fees to expect, and the different ways to order.

Yolo County Clerk-Recorder Office

The Yolo County Clerk-Recorder is in Woodland. This office handles birth certificates, death records, marriage licenses, and other vital records for everyone in the county. Staff can help you with forms and answer any questions you have about the process.

The office address is 625 Court Street, Room B05, Woodland, CA 95695. Hours are Monday through Friday. Call 530-666-8130 to check the current hours before you visit. The office is closed on state holidays.

When you arrive at the office, let the clerk know what record you need. They will give you a form to fill out. Write down the name on the birth certificate, the date of birth, and your relationship to the person. Bring your photo ID so the clerk can check who you are. After you pay, the clerk searches for the record. Most visits take 15 to 30 minutes.

Online Ordering Through Permitium

Yolo County uses the Permitium system for online vital records orders. This is a modern way to request birth certificates from home. You do not need to print forms or mail anything. The whole process happens on the web.

To use Permitium, go to the Yolo County vital records portal. Create an account or sign in. Fill out the request form with the details of the birth record you need. Pay with a credit or debit card. The office will process your order and mail the certificate to you.

Online orders through Permitium have a service fee on top of the standard county fee. The total cost is higher than visiting in person. But it saves time if you live far from Woodland or have a busy schedule. Expect 2 to 4 weeks for your order to arrive by mail.

Birth Certificate Fees

Yolo County sets its own fee schedule for vital records. Fees can change from time to time. Call the office at 530-666-8130 or check the county website for the current fee. Most California counties charge between $29 and $36 per copy.

Payment can be made by cash, check, or card at the counter. Checks should be made out to Yolo County. There may be a small fee for credit 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 mail cash. Make sure to include enough for all the copies you want. The office will return your request if the payment is short or missing.

How to Order Birth Records

You can get a birth certificate from Yolo County in several ways. Each method has its own steps and timeline. Pick the one that fits your needs best.

In person is the fastest way. Go to the Clerk-Recorder office in Woodland. 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 records may take more time to find.

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. Mail it to the Clerk-Recorder at 625 Court Street, Room B05, Woodland, CA 95695. Allow 2 to 4 weeks for processing and mail time.

Online ordering through Permitium is the most handy option for many people. You do everything on the computer. The fee is higher, but you save a trip to the office. VitalChek is another online option that some people use.

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 say it is not valid for ID.

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 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 a note on it that says it is not valid for proving who you are. 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 details you have, the easier it is for the clerk to find the right 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 Yolo County for this office to have the record.

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 give your own name, your relationship to the person, and your reason for the request. Bring a photo ID 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 let you know.

Mail requests take 2 to 4 weeks. 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 service.

Online orders through Permitium or VitalChek take about 2 to 4 weeks. You can sometimes pay extra for faster shipping. Check the site you use for current options and prices.

Older and Historical Records

Yolo County has birth records going back to the mid 1800s. The county was one of the original 27 counties formed when California became a state in 1850. Some of the oldest records in California may be here.

For births before July 1905, the county is often the only source. The state did not start keeping 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 long it will take.

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.

State Level Birth Records

You can also get a Yolo County birth record from the California Department of Public Health. The state has copies of all births since July 1905. This is a good backup if the county office is busy or if you prefer a different ordering method.

The state fee is $29 per copy. Online vendors add a service 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 or Permitium options because they can order from home. Both give you the same certified copy of the birth record.

Nearby Counties

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

Sacramento County is to the east. Solano County is to the south. Napa County is to the west. Colusa County is to the north. Sutter County is to the northeast. Each county has its own clerk-recorder office with its own fees and hours.

Yolo County is in the heart of the Sacramento Valley. If you are not sure which county a birth took place in, the clerk may be able to help you figure it out.

Cities in Yolo County

Yolo County has several cities and towns. The county seat is Woodland. All residents in the county go to the same Clerk-Recorder office for birth certificates. No city in Yolo County has its own vital records office.

Major cities in the county include Davis, West Sacramento, and Winters. Smaller communities like Esparto and Knights Landing are also served by the county office. The process is the same no matter where in Yolo County you live or were born.