Not a government site. We do not sell certificates. About us

VitalRecordsByState
Menu

How to get a California birth certificate

In California, order a certified birth certificate from the California Department of Public Health – Vital Records.1 Counties also issue records for events in their county; they are separate from CDPH.2 Each certified copy costs $313. You can order online, by mail or at a local office. Only the people the state lists below can order a certified copy. The fastest published option is at a local office: same day4.

Last checked against official sources.

On this page
  1. Ways to order
  2. What a California birth certificate costs
  3. How long it takes
  4. Who can order a California birth certificate
  5. ID you need
  6. What the application asks for
  7. Forms
  8. Years held and older records
  9. Special situations
  10. Warnings from the office
  11. The state office
  12. Questions people ask
  13. Sources

Ways to order

HowCost per copyProcessing timePayment
Online through VitalChek Network, Inc.$345, plus $12.955 VitalChek handling fee (San Diego County Assessor) or $10.506 processing fee (Los Angeles County Department of Public Health)
+ one extra charge		Up to 20 business days7Card7
By mail$3134 to 6 weeks on average8Check and money order3
At a local office$345 (San Diego County)
+ 2 possible extra charges		Same day4Cash, check, money order and card5

Not offered: in person and online directly with the vital records office.2

Online through VitalChek Network, Inc.

Vendor
VitalChek Network, Inc. (authorized by counties; CDPH names no vendor)7
Fees
  • Per copy $345
  • VitalChek handling fee $12.955
  • VitalChek expedited delivery fee $195
  • Processing fee $10.506
Processing time
Up to 20 business days7
Expedited service
$19. Optional expedited delivery5
Payment
Card7

Good to know

  • The state office takes no responsibility for vendor charges or service.9
  • An ID step can still apply: Los Angeles County may ask for a notarized Certificate of Identity.7
  • Fee is not refunded if no record is found.5

By mail

Run by
California Department of Public Health, Vital Records (CDPH-VR)9
Fees
  • Per copy $313
Processing time
4 to 6 weeks on average8
Expedited service
Not offered2
Payment
Check and money order3
Mail to
California Department of Public Health, Vital Records - MS 5103, P.O. Box 997410, Sacramento, CA 95899-7410
10
Appointment
Not required11

Good to know

  • Sent First Class only, with no tracking unless you supply a prepaid envelope.2
  • No cancellation or refund once accepted.1

Open the application or mail instructions12

At a local office

Run by
County recorder; for recent births and deaths also the local registrar (county health department)13
Fees
  • Per copy $34514
  • Surcharge is applicable for card payments $2.505
  • Debit/Credit card: American Express, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa $1.7514
Processing time
Same day4
Payment
Cash, check, money order and card5
Appointment
Not required5

Good to know

  • Counties issue only for events in their county.12
  • County fees and application rules can differ from the state form.8

Find a local office13

What a California birth certificate costs

First certified copy
$313
Each additional copy
$313
Fees in effect since
Jan. 1, 20263

Types of copies

CopyAccepted forFee
Certified Authorized Copy15Can establish identity; meets passport application requirements per CDPH.2$313
Certified Informational Copy12Cannot establish identity.15$313
Certificate of No Public Record (CNPR)2–$313
Heirloom Birth Certificate16Keepsake only; not valid to establish identity.16$4416
Certified copy of a sealed record17–$3117

No-fee copies

  • Who: Verified homeless person or homeless child or youth; Record: authorized birth certificate; Channels: county or State Registrar18
  • Who: Current youth in foster care; Record: authorized birth certificate; Channels: county only19
  • Who: Individuals who lost records in the Gann fire; Record: birth, death, marriage20

How long it takes

These are the office's own published times. Mail and shipping time is extra unless the office says otherwise.

How you orderProcessing timeCounted
Online through VitalChek Network, Inc.Up to 20 business days7From receipt
By mail4 to 6 weeks on average8From receipt
At a local officeSame day4–

Who can order a California birth certificate

The state names these people and bodies as able to order a certified copy. Each line gives the official wording.

  • The person named on the record, a parent named on the record, legal guardian, child, grandparent, grandchild, brother or sister, spouse and domestic partner: The registrant or a parent, legal guardian, child, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, spouse, or domestic partner of the registrant.15
    Proof: Legal guardian must provide documentation.12
  • Person named in a court order15
    Proof: Copy of the court order15
  • Government agency: A member of a law enforcement agency or a representative of another governmental agency, as provided by law, who is conducting official business.15
    Proof: Companies representing an agency must show agency authorization; agencies are exempt from notarization.15
  • Executor or estate administrator15
    Proof: Copy of the power of attorney or documentation identifying the executor15
  • Attorney or legal representative: An attorney representing the registrant or the registrant’s estate.15

Other kinds of copies

  • Informational copy Anyone: Persons who are not eligible to receive a certified copy can receive a certified informational copy.12
    Proof: None required: no sworn statement.12
Social Security number on the copy
Informational copies of some years have signatures and Social Security numbers redacted.12

ID you need

Photo ID
Required15
Accepted ID
  • Valid government-issued photo ID5
Without that ID
In person at a county, a statement sworn before the official replaces the notary. Electronic identity verification is permitted by statute where an official offers it.21
Notarization
Required15

What the application asks for

Have these details ready before you fill in the form or start an online order.12

  • First, middle and last name
  • City of birth
  • County of birth
  • Date of birth (or approximate date)
  • Parent first name and last name at birth (two parents)

Forms

Years held and older records

Years the issuing office holds
July 1905 to today11
Older records
County recorder in the county of the event23

Special situations

Adoption
After adoption a new birth record is created through the Court Report of Adoption (VS 44); the original needs a court order.12 Details
Sex marker
An adult can self-attest to change the sex field to female, male or nonbinary with no court order.24 Details
Delayed registration
A birth never registered uses VS 85, or a court order delayed registration (VS 108) if evidence is unavailable.25 Details
Paternity
A second parent can be added without a court order if the VS 21 conditions are met.26 Details
People without housing
One free authorized birth certificate per application for verified homeless persons, from the county or state.27 Details
If no record is found
CDPH keeps the fee and issues a Certificate of No Public Record.2 Details
Use abroad
Put "apostille" as the purpose on the application; CDPH sends instructions and the Secretary of State issues it.2 Details

Warnings from the office

  • CDPH does not work with third-party companies; refunds go through the vendor.2
  • Vendors no longer file online with CDPH since July 1, 2026.9
  • HSC 103625 base birth fee changes from $18 to $16 on January 1, 2027.28
  • Counties with a children's trust fund may add up to $3 to the birth fee.29
  • A birth record is available 21 days after the event; CDPH suggests going to the county in the first 3 months.12

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
10
Hours
Customer service: Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Pacific Time10

Questions people ask

How much is a certified California birth certificate?

Each certified copy costs $31.3

How long does it take to get a California birth certificate?

Online through VitalChek Network, Inc.: up to 20 business days. By mail: 4 to 6 weeks on average. At a local office: same day.784

What ID do I need?

The state accepts: valid government-issued photo ID.5

Where are older California birth certificates kept?

County recorder in the county of the event.23

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. Vital Records FAQsCalifornia Department of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated October 22, 2025
  3. Vital Records FeesCalifornia Department of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated January 29, 2026
  4. Vital recordsOrange County Clerk-Recorder
  5. Birth Certificate RequestSan Diego County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk
  6. DPH Vital Records Office - Order Birth CertificatesLos Angeles County Department of Public Health
  7. Birth Record Online RequestLos Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk
  8. Processing TimesCalifornia Department of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated July 9, 2026
  9. Third Party VendorsCalifornia Department of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated July 13, 2026
  10. Contact CDPH Vital RecordsCalifornia Department of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated February 27, 2026
  11. Obtaining Certified Copies of Birth CertificatesCalifornia Department of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated February 26, 2026
  12. VS 111 (01/2026) application, birthCalifornia Department of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated January 1, 2026
  13. County Registrar and Recorder DirectoryCalifornia Department of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated November 20, 2025
  14. Birth Record In-Person AppointmentLos Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk
  15. Authorized Copy vs. Informational CopyCalifornia Department of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated October 23, 2025
  16. Heirloom Birth RecordsCalifornia Department of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated October 28, 2025
  17. CDPH 9126 (01/2026) sealed recordCalifornia Department of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated January 1, 2026
  18. HSC Section 103577California Legislature, Legislative Informationdated January 1, 2019
  19. Foster Youth Fee Exemption AB 2967California Department of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated March 11, 2026
  20. State of Emergency - Gann FireCalifornia Department of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated August 14, 2026
  21. HSC Section 103526California Legislature, Legislative Informationdated January 1, 2022
  22. CDPH 9133 (4/2021) heirloomCalifornia Department of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated April 1, 2021
  23. State Archives FAQCalifornia State Archives, Secretary of State
  24. Birth Amendments Overview (03/2026)California Department of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated March 1, 2026
  25. Delayed or Court Order Delayed Vital EventsCalifornia Department of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated March 13, 2026
  26. VS 21 (01/2026) Amendment of ParentageCalifornia Department of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated January 1, 2026
  27. Homeless Fee Exemption AB 1733 / 2490California Department of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated March 11, 2026
  28. HSC (version operative Jan 1, 2027)California Legislature, Legislative Informationdated January 1, 2027
  29. HSC (version in effect until Jan 1, 2027)California Legislature, Legislative Informationdated January 1, 2026