How to Get a California Birth Certificate

Start with the official California resource

California's requirements are set by the issuing agency. The official CDPH page explains current request options, required documentation, eligibility, fees, processing, and delivery information. Those details can change without notice on the agency page, which this guide doesn't control.

Open the official page first and confirm which request path fits your situation before you gather documents or pay anything.

• Open the official California birth-record page

Understand the two certified copy types

California issues more than one type of certified birth record. An authorized copy can be used to establish the identity of the person named on the certificate. An informational copy is still a certified copy of the record, but it carries a notice that it is not valid for identity purposes.

The issuing agency controls who may receive each type. Before you order, confirm which copy the receiving organization will accept. A passport office, DMV, school, insurer, or foreign authority may have its own rules.

• Compare authorized and informational copies

Who may request a California birth certificate

Eligibility is set by California law and enforced by the issuing office. It can be limited to the person named on the record, a parent or legal guardian, a spouse, a child, a sibling, a grandparent, a grandchild, a domestic partner, or another party authorized by law or court order. Representatives and agencies may have separate rules.

Informational copies may be available to a wider group. Confirm your eligibility on the official page before you submit an application, especially if you are ordering for someone else.

• Read California's eligibility guidance

State office or county office?

The state Vital Records office handles California birth records and supports mail and electronic request options. County offices handle records for births that happened in their county and may offer local or in-person service.

The county where the birth occurred is the key detail. If the birth happened outside California, request the record from that state or country instead, because California cannot issue it.

• Find the county registrar or recorder
• Check state request options

What to have ready before you start

Having the record details together makes the guided request faster and reduces the chance of a correction after filing. Use the name exactly as it appears on the birth record, and ask the agency before submitting if a spelling or date is uncertain.

• The subject's full name at birth, including any suffix.
• Date of birth and the city and county of birth.
• Parents' names as shown on the record, including the mother's maiden name.
• Your relationship to the person named on the certificate.
• Your contact details and a deliverable shipping address.
• A government-issued photo ID and any court or legal documents that apply.
• A payment method for the agency fee; agency and shipping charges are separate from USVC's service fee.

How a California request usually works

• Confirm which copy type you need and whether you are eligible to receive it.
• Choose the state office or the county office for the birth location.
• Download the current official form and read the instructions for your request type.
• Gather the record details, identification, and any supporting documents the agency lists.
• Submit the request through the channel the agency currently supports.
• Keep your confirmation and track the request until the certificate arrives.
• Check the certificate when it arrives; contact the agency promptly if a detail needs correction.

A missing or inconsistent detail can delay a request or produce a record that the receiving organization will not accept. Confirm the exact requirements on the official page before filing.

Common California situations

Some requests need a different path from a standard certified copy. Check the official guidance for your situation before you order.

• Older records: the county recorder for the birth location may be the right office when a state record is not available.
• Adoption or sealed records: a court order may be required before an original sealed record can be released.
• Name corrections or amendments: amending the record is a separate process from ordering a copy. Complete the amendment first if you need the corrected version.
• International use: confirm whether the receiving country requires an apostille, and order the copy from an office whose signature can be authenticated.

• Read about amending a California birth record
• Check apostille requirements

How USVC can help

USVC is an independent document assistance service, not a government agency. We provide a guided online request flow in plain language, review submitted information for completeness and inconsistencies, file the request with the agency, and help you track the request process.

The order form shows the current USVC processing fee before you pay. Agency fees and any shipping charges are separate and are charged upon review and acceptance by the issuing agency.

• We check your submitted information for missing details and inconsistencies before filing.
• We file the request with the issuing agency and give you an online way to track it.
• We do not control agency eligibility, fees, processing times, or the final decision to issue a record.
• You can always request the record directly from the official agency, potentially at a lower cost.