California Delayed Registration of Birth (VS 85)
Official state formDelayed registrationForm VS 85Free downloadLast verified November 10, 2026
Application and affidavit to register a California birth that was not registered within the first year. Once accepted, the form becomes the birth record. It is mailed with supporting documents to the state vital records office.
Who can use this form
- Child 17 or younger: the applicant must be the parent, legal guardian, attending physician or principal attendant at the birth
- Person 18 or older: the applicant must be the person whose birth is being registered
What to send with it
- Completed VS 85 form in black ink
- Documents showing the date and place of birth, dated at least 5 years before the application (2 years if the child is under 12): two if only the applicant signs, one if the birth attendant or two people with knowledge sign
- Born on or after January 1, 1995: photocopy of the parents' marriage certificate or domestic partnership declaration, or a copy of the filed Voluntary Declaration of Parentage
- Notarized sworn statement, only when asking for an authorized copy
- Fee by check or money order payable to CDPH Vital Records
Where to send it
- Mail to
- California Department of Public Health Vital Records - Amendments - MS 5105 P.O. Box 997410 Sacramento, CA 95899-7410
- State fee
- The form (Rev. 04/20) prints no fee amount. The office's current pamphlet (01/2026) lists a $26 registration fee that includes one certified copy, and $31 for each additional certified copy.
- Typical processing
- The form does not state a time. The office's processing times page lists an average of 7 to 9 weeks for amendments.
- Form revision
- Rev.04/20
- Source
- Official government page