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Important Information

Do We Have Your Record Yet?

Birth and death records are only available from the State Office of Vital Records after they have been registered by the County Health Department and recorded by the County Recorder's Office in the county where the event took place.

  • Because of the delays resulting from this process, we suggest that certified copies of birth and death certificates be requested from the County Health Department or the County Recorder's Office for the first six months after the event.
  • Caution: If a record is requested from the State Office of Vital Records during the first six months after the event, and the record is not yet available, a Certificate of No Public Record will be issued and the fee will be retained as authorized by State law.
Is Your Record Being Amended?

Amendments to birth and death records are frequently submitted to the State Office of Vital Records to correct errors or add information to original documents.  Typically, certified copies of amended certificates are requested at the same time the amendment is submitted, and the applicant receives a certified copy once the amendment is completed. 

  • If you did not order a certified copy when you submitted the amendment, and you submit a separate request for a certified copy before the amendment has been completed, you will receive a copy of the original (un-amended) record.
  • If you know that the record is being amended, and it is the amended record that you want, please wait until the amendment has been completed before requesting a certified copy. 
Fees for Vital Records

Vital record fees are specified in statute.  If a record cannot be located, you will be issued a Certificate of No Public Record and the fee will be retained as a search fee as authorized by State law.

 

Timeframes for Processing Requests

NEED YOUR CERTIFICATE QUICKLY?  To ensure that our timeframes meet your needs, please view our processing times for the type of record you are requesting.  Because of the large volume of requests processed at the State level, you can often obtain your certificate more quickly from the county office (sometimes within one week).  Also, many of the county offices will accept your request by phone, FAX, or online, with the use of a credit card. 

 

Obtaining Vital Records From County Offices
  • Certified copies of birth and death certificates for individuals who were born or who died in California are available from the County Recorder’s Office in the county where the event took place.
  • Certified copies of public marriage records are available from the County Recorder in the county where the license was issued. 
  • Certified copies of confidential marriage records are only available from the County Clerk in the county where the license was issued.
  • Certified copies of divorce decrees are only available from the Superior Court in the county where the decree was granted.