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VITAL RECORDS

Obtaining Certified Copies of ā€‹ā€‹Fetal Death/Still Birth Certificates

The California Department of Public Health ā€“ Vital Records (CDPH-VR) maintains certified copies of:  

  • Fetal Death Certificates
    • Certified copies of fetal death certificates are available for release to anyone who can provide sufficient information to identify a specific record.
  • Still-Birth Certificates
    • Certified copies of still birth certificates are available for release to the mother or father ONLY.

Confidential Information on Fetal Death Certificate
The bottom portion of the Fetal Death 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 mother listed on the certificate. Only the mother or father may request a certified copy of a Still Birth certificateā€‹. For Mail-In Requests only.

Requesting a Certified Copy

Fees

Certified fetal death records are $21 per copy and still birth records are $28 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.

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