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Order California Birth Certificate
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Learn how to order California Birth Certificate from the CDPH-VR. The current processing time is 4 to 6 weeks, and the fee is $29.00 per certified copy. Authorized people who can order a certified copy include the person on record, family members, and authorized third parties. Note: the CDPH-VR mandates a notarization of the application.
You can order a certified copy of your California birth certificate by mail from the California Department of Public Health Office of Vital Records (CDPH-VR), or in-person at the local county issuing agency where the birth occurred, or conveniently order online now through VRO. Before proceeding with the application, review and confirm the costs, eligibility, requirements, and current processing times.
Ordering a California birth certificate online with VRO only requires two simple steps:
Starting from
$29+ state fees
Benefits of Ordering Online with VRO
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The CDPH-VR does not require a copy of your ID when applying online or by mail; however, you must provide a notarized sworn statement verifying your identity when applying for a birth certificate replacement. To obtain this sworn statement at a public notary, you must provide one of the forms of ID listed in California Code 1185[b]:
Primary ID Requirements Options | Additional Requirements |
|---|---|
Driver's license Passport Permanent resident card US military card Military dependent's ID card Certificate of Citizenship Certificate of Naturalization Employment Authorization Document Foreign passport | Notarized Sworn Statement |
When applying through the California DPH-VR (online or by mail), you do not need to provide a copy of your ID with your application; the notarized sworn statement serves as proof of identity. However, you must verify your identity when obtaining the notary with one of the forms of ID listed in California Code 1185[b]. A witness can confirm your identity if you cannot provide any of the accepted IDs. state|certificate|columnName|displayList
Cost & fees
Total costs and fees to replace your California birth certificate will depend on the ordering method, the cost of notarizing the application document, and the fees determined by the issuing agency. The CDPH-VR charges a $29.00 fee for each certified copy (and additional copies) of a birth record.
State Fee |
|---|
$29.00 |
Rush Processing |
|---|
Not offered |
Additional Copy |
|---|
1 x $29.00 |
Processing time
California DPH-VR's processing time for birth certificate replacements is 4 to 6 weeks; however the total time until you receive the certified copy will depend on how you submit your order and the volume of backlogged orders at the CDPH-VR. If you manually submit your application and documents, account for additional time to notarize your application from a local notary.
Processing Time |
|---|
4-6 weeks |
Rush Processing Time |
|---|
Not offered |
Authorization
The person on record and eligible third parties can request a certified copy of a birth record. All applicants must provide proof of identity when obtaining a notarized sworn statement for the application.
If you need to request a birth certificate on another person’s behalf, review the list of eligible individuals below to ensure you are authorized. Certain third parties, such as family members and legal representatives of the individual on record, can request authorized copies of the record.
The CDPH-VR requires applicants to prove their identity by notarizing a sworn statement with their application and documents. When ordering online, VRO offers an online notary service as an additional option of the service provided. Otherwise, you must bring your ID with your application document when using a local public notary.
Tracking
When you place your order with VRO, you can track the status of your application online as we handle it. VRO verifies your documents before sending them to the California Department of Public Health Office of Vital Records (CDPH-VR) for processing. You can also request mail tracking through VRO to monitor your application's progress to the health department.
When manually mailing your birth certificate request to the CDPH-VR, it is optional to include a self-addressed stamped envelope with your application. It's recommended to purchase mail tracking to guarantee timely handling and secure delivery of your vital records. Once your certificate is mailed from the state office, they are not responsible for lost or misdirected certificates.
frequently asked questions
The cost of a California birth certificate depends on where you order it. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) charges $29 per certified copy. County Recorder offices set their own fees, which may be lower. Additional fees may apply for expedited processing, shipping, or online service charges. If you order through a third-party service, expect a convenience fee on top of the state or county fee.
Yes. You can order a California birth certificate online through the CDPH vital records website or through authorized third-party providers. The CDPH online portal allows you to submit your request and pay by credit or debit card. Processing typically takes 5 to 10 business days after approval. Some county offices also accept online orders through their own portals or contracted vendors.
Yes. California allows several authorized parties to request a certified birth certificate on someone else's behalf. Eligible requesters include parents or legal guardians, a person with a court order, law enforcement or government agency representatives, and attorneys or licensed adoption agencies under Family Code Sections 3140 or 7603. The requester must complete a Sworn Statement, signed under penalty of perjury, declaring their relationship to the registrant and their legal right to obtain the copy. If you are unable to request in person, you may also authorize a representative through a notarized Power of Attorney (PoA), which allows that person to apply on your behalf through the California Department of Public Health or the County Recorder's office where the birth was recorded.
A California State File Number is a unique identifier assigned to each vital record registered with the CDPH. It appears on your birth certificate and is used by state agencies to locate your record quickly. When requesting a copy, including the State File Number can speed up processing. You can find this number on a previously issued certified copy. If you do not have it, you can still request a birth certificate by providing the full name at birth, date of birth, and place of birth.
An officially certified birth certificate will display distinct features to indicate the CDPH-VR issued it. The appearance may differ depending on the year it was issued. It will often include essential information to verify a person's identity and the legitimacy of their citizenship at birth.
A long-form official birth certificate is used for legal purposes, whereas a short-form (informational) copy is usually not. The CDPH-VR defines specific guidelines for counties that may use unique colors and layouts on the official birth certificate, however, they will generally display features such as:
• Full Name of the Person: The full legal name of the person whose birth is being recorded.
• Date of Birth: The exact date of birth of the individual.
• Place of Birth: The city, county, and state where the birth took place.
• Parents’ Names: The full names of both parents, including the mother’s maiden name.
• State Seal: A raised, embossed, or printed multicolor or black and white seal of the issuing authority, which validates the document.
• Signature of State Registrar: The signature of the state registrar or authorized official responsible for issuing the certificate.
• Date of Issuance: The date when the state officially issued the birth certificate.
• Printed on Security Paper: Printed on specialized paper to prevent counterfeiting.
In some instances, a certified birth certificate may also include:
• Name of the Hospital where the birth was recorded.
• Name of the Physician who attended the labor.
If you lose your birth certificate:
1. Submit an application for a certified replacement copy in person, by mail, or online through VRO. You will need to complete the application, gather the required identification and documents, and pay the fees determined by the
a. For in-person applications: Present the completed application and required documents to the County Clerk’s office during hours of availability.
b. For applying by mail: Send your application, documents, and a check or money order for the replacement fee to the CDPH-VR at:
c. For online submissions: Complete the application and upload your documents through the VRO website (payable by credit card online).
2. CDPH-VR will mail the certified copy(s) after processing.
The CDPH-VR provides a straightforward legal process for correcting or amending a birth certificate. Different forms are used depending on the information that needs to be amended.
An amendment is required when a birth record is changed, while supplemental changes become addendums to the original birth record as a multi-page document. However, no entity can alter the original document.
To correct or amend a California birth certificate, follow these steps and requirements based on the type of change needed:
1) Determine the Type of Amendment:
2) Required Forms:
Scenario | Form | Supporting Documents |
|---|---|---|
Spelling/clerical errors | VS 24 | Notarized affidavit, proof of error (e.g., hospital records, gender, parent’s birth certificate). |
Court-ordered name/gender | VS 23 | Certified court order with original seal/judge’s signature. (Out-of-state court orders: Accepted unless from Hawaii’s Office of the Lieutenant Governor.) |
Parentage adjudication | Court petition | Acknowledgment of Paternity or certified court order. |
3) Fees
4) Submission process
Apostilles are required when filing documents with a foreign government. It is a special certificate that verifies the authenticity of a vital record for international use and is acceptable in countries that are part of the 1961 Hague Convention.
Apostilles are only provided for birth certificates initially filed with the CDPH-VR. Apostilles for California birth certificates must be requested through the California Secretary of State Notary Public Section. Alternatively, you can submit a request online using VRO’s Apostille Express Service.
To manually apply for an apostille, you must provide the following documents:
You can submit the form and certified copy to the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations, Apostille Section in person or by courier to the following addresses:
Standard Mail:
Express Courier: (UPS, DHL, FedEx):