Note: Processing fees are deposited upon receipt of your application. Before submitting your request to CDPH Vital Records, please review our processing times to ensure they are acceptable for your needs and if this is the best option. otherwise, you must apply online or at the county recorder’s office in the county where the birth occurred.
If you are using our state application form, but are submitting your application to a county office for processing, check with the county office first to confirm their fees for certified copies, as they may be different from state fees. .
Step 1: Determine if you can get an authorized copy or an informational copy
In the State of California, only the person named on the record, the parents of the person named on the record, and certain other persons or entities specified in the law may obtain authorized copies of vital records. all other applicants may only obtain informational copies. all copies issued are “certified copies”.
Step 2: Download and complete the application to obtain certified copies of birth certificates
- how to get a certified copy of a birth record (pdf)
- how to get a certified copy of a birth record (pdf)
step 3: notarize your affidavit (if applicable)
You must have your affidavit notarized if you request an authorized copy.
note: a notarized affidavit is not required if requesting an informational copy. however, unless an informational copy is indicated on the application form, applications received without a notarized affidavit will be returned to sender.
step 4: determine the certified copy fee
A certified copy fee must accompany all requests for copies of vital records. Requests received without payment will be returned to sender. Make your check or money order payable to CDPH Vital Records. Checks must be drawn on a US bank. Money orders must be drawn on a US bank or issued by the US Postal Service.
Please do not send cash in the mail. cdph is not responsible for fees paid that are lost, misdirected, or undelivered.
If no record is found, we will issue a certificate of no public record and withhold the search fee in accordance with state law.
- vital registration fees
Step 5: Mail your application to cdph vital records
cdph vital records ships all certificates via standard mail through the united states postal service. If you want to track the item once it leaves the civil registry office, please include a self-addressed, postage-paid, certified envelope with the request (this is optional). include the completed application form, the notarized affidavit if requesting an authorized copy, and the check or money order for the fee for the certified copy.
Please do not send cash in the mail. cdph is not responsible for fees paid that are lost, misdirected, or undelivered.
mail to:
california department of public health
vital records – ms 5103
PO Box 997410
sacrament, ca 95899-7410
If you use a courier service that requires a physical address for delivery, please use the following address:
california department of public health
vital records – ms 5103
1501 capitol avenue
sacrament, ca 95814
note: about sensitive information in the birth record
The bottom portion of the birth certificate (entitled “sensitive information for public health use”) contains sensitive personal information (race, occupation, and medical data, including pregnancy history). Health and Safety Code Section 102430 permits this confidential information to be included in an authorized copy only when specifically requested by the person named on the certificate, the parent who signed the certificate, or if no parent signed the certificate, the mother ( a parent can only receive a confidential copy if they signed the child’s birth certificate). Because a confidential birth certificate contains highly personal information, it is not commonly used (or needed) for identification, travel, school, or sports purposes. If you are requesting a birth certificate that contains confidential information, please write “confidential copy” on the request form.