Obtaining Certified Copies of āāBirth Certificates
The California Department of Public Health ā Vital Records (CDPH-VR) maintains a permanent, public record of every birth that has occurred in California since July 1905.
Requesting a Certified Copy
Confidential Information on Birth Record
The Tāhe bottom portion of the birth certificate (entitled "Confidential Information for Public Health Use") contains confidential personal information (race, occupation, and medical data ā including pregnancy history). Health and Safety Code Section 102430 allows this confidential information to be included on 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 father may only receive a confidential copy if he signed the child's birth certificate). Because a confidential birth certificate contains very personal information, it is not commonly used (or needed) for identification, travel, school, or sports-related purposes. If requesting a birth certificate that contains the confidential information, please write "Confidential Copy" on the application form.ā For Mail-In Requests only.
Requesting a Copy of a Sealed Record
āFees
Certified birth records are $29 per copy.
Please view our current
Fees. Requests received without the appropriate fee will be returned to the sender. Make your check or money order payable to CDPH Vital Records. Checks must be drawn on a United States bank. Money orders must be drawn on a United States bank or issued by the United States Postal Service.
Please do not send cash by mail. CDPH cannot be held responsible for fees paid that are lost, misdirected, or undelivered.
Processing Times
Please view our current Processing Times. The processing time begins when CDPH-VR receives your request.