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California vital records

The California Department of Public Health – Vital Records is the vital records office for California.1 It issues certified birth certificates, death certificates and marriage certificates234. Local offices also issue certified copies.5

Last checked against official sources.

On this page
  1. Records and where to get them
  2. Local offices
  3. Access rules and the law
  4. The state office
  5. Questions people ask
  6. Sources

Current notices from the office

  • CDPH stopped accepting online vendor submissions on July 1, 2026.6
  • Gann fire: free replacement records.7
  • Amendments can add diacritical marks since July 1, 2026.8

Records and where to get them

RecordWho issues itYears heldFirst copyShortest published time
Birth certificateCalifornia Department of Public Health – Vital Records1July 1905 to today2$319At a local office: Same day10
Death certificateCalifornia Department of Public Health – Vital Records1July 1905 to today3$269At a local office: Same day10
Marriage certificateCalifornia Department of Public Health – Vital Records1Years: 1905 to 1999, 2001, 2008 to 20254$199At a local office: Same day10
Divorce recordsSuperior Court in the county where the divorce took place111962 to June 198411$189At a local office: 7 to 10 business days12

Birth certificate

Who holds it
Counties also issue records for events in their county; they are separate from CDPH.5
Older records
County recorder in the county of the event13
Ways to order
Online through VitalChek Network, Inc., by mail, at a local office

How to get a California birth certificate

Death certificate

Who holds it
Counties also issue records for events in their county; they are separate from CDPH.5
Older records
County recorder in the county of the event13
Ways to order
Online through VitalChek Network, Inc., by mail, at a local office

How to get a California death certificate

Marriage certificate

Who holds it
Counties also issue records for events in their county; they are separate from CDPH.5
Older records
County recorder (public); county clerk (confidential)4
Ways to order
Online through VitalChek Network, Inc., by mail, at a local office

How to get a California marriage certificate

Divorce records

Who holds it
CDPH holds only a face-sheet Certificate of Record for 1962 through June 1984, not the decree.11
Older records
Superior Court in the county where the divorce took place11
Ways to order
By mail, at a local office

How to get California divorce records

Local offices

Local offices issue certified copies
Yes5
Which offices
County recorder (all years); county health department local registrar (current year and one year prior); county clerk (confidential marriage)14
Any office for any county
No: use the office for the place the event happened15

Access rules and the law

Who may get certified copies
Closed for authorized copies, open for informational copies: authorized persons under HSC 103526 get a copy that establishes identity; anyone else gets a marked informational copy.16

Laws and rules the office cites

  • Cal. Health & Safety Code 103525 (certified copies)17
  • Cal. Health & Safety Code 103526 (authorized persons, sworn statement)16
  • Cal. Health & Safety Code 103625 (fees; two versions)18
  • Cal. Health & Safety Code 102230 (indices)19
  • Cal. Health & Safety Code 103225 (amendments)20

The state office

Office
California Department of Public Health – Vital Records (CDPH-VR)1
Mailing address
California Department of Public Health, Vital Records - MS 5103, P.O. Box 997410, Sacramento, CA 95899-7410
21
Hours
Customer service: Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Pacific Time21

Questions people ask

How much do birth and death certificates cost in California?

A certified birth certificate costs $31 for the first copy and a death certificate $26.9

What is the phone number of the California vital records office?

California Department of Public Health – Vital Records: (916) 445-2684.21

Where do I get a marriage certificate in California?

California Department of Public Health – Vital Records (CDPH-VR). Counties also issue records for events in their county; they are separate from CDPH.15

Where do I get divorce records in California?

Superior Court in the county where the divorce took place. CDPH holds only a face-sheet Certificate of Record for 1962 through June 1984, not the decree.11

Sources

Every fact on this page comes from these official sources, checked on November 5, 2026. Tap a source number next to a fact to read the exact words.

  1. CDPH Vital Records homeCalifornia Department of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated August 14, 2026
  2. Obtaining Certified Copies of Birth CertificatesCalifornia Department of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated February 26, 2026
  3. Obtaining Certified Copies of Death CertificatesCalifornia Department of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated March 11, 2026
  4. Obtaining Certified Copies of Marriage CertificatesCalifornia Department of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated July 2, 2026
  5. Vital Records FAQsCalifornia Department of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated October 22, 2025
  6. Third Party VendorsCalifornia Department of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated July 13, 2026
  7. State of Emergency - Gann FireCalifornia Department of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated August 14, 2026
  8. Diacritical Marks AB 64California Department of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated October 16, 2026
  9. Vital Records FeesCalifornia Department of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated January 29, 2026
  10. Vital recordsOrange County Clerk-Recorder
  11. Obtaining Copies of Divorce RecordsCalifornia Department of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated January 6, 2026
  12. Family LawSuperior Court of California, County of Tulare
  13. State Archives FAQCalifornia State Archives, Secretary of State
  14. County Registrar and Recorder DirectoryCalifornia Department of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated November 20, 2025
  15. VS 111 (01/2026) application, birthCalifornia Department of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated January 1, 2026
  16. HSC Section 103526California Legislature, Legislative Informationdated January 1, 2022
  17. HSC Section 103525California Legislature, Legislative Informationdated January 1, 2010
  18. HSC (version in effect until Jan 1, 2027)California Legislature, Legislative Informationdated January 1, 2026
  19. HSC Section 102230California Legislature, Legislative Informationdated January 1, 2025
  20. HSC Section 103225California Legislature, Legislative Informationdated January 1, 2025
  21. Contact CDPH Vital RecordsCalifornia Department of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated February 27, 2026