Vital Records

The California Department of Public Health – Vital Records (CDPH-VR) maintains birth, death, fetal death/still birth, marriage, and divorce records for California. Services provided by CDPH-VR include issuing certified copies of California vital records and registering and amending vital records as authorized by law.

Once an order has been accepted for processing, CDPH-VR does not cancel or refund orders.

CDPH-VR sends all vital records via First Class Mail through the United States Postal Service (USPS). CDPH-VR is not responsible for any lost, misdirected, or undelivered mail by USPS or any other delivery service.

Please review CDPH-VR’s current Processing Times and Fees.

Registration ​​

• Birth, Death, Fetal Death, Still Birth & Marriage Certificates
• Correcting and Amending Vital Records
• Adoptions or Changes in Paternity
• Types of Marriage Licenses
• California Marriage License, Registration and Ceremony Information
• Vital Records Registration Branch
• Vital Record Applications (Forms)

Certified Copies

• Vital Records Important Information
• Authorized Copy vs. Informational Copy
• Vital Record Fees
• Vital Records Obtaining Certified Copies of Birth & Death Records
• Vital Records Obtaining Certified Copies of Marriage & Divorce Records
• Vital Records Obtaining Certified Copies of Fetal Death & Still Birth Records
• Vital Records Processing Times
• Sworn Statement
• Assembly Bill (AB) 1733 (How to obtain copies of birth certificates for homeless individuals)
• Obtaining Vital Records for County Offices
• Vital Records Issuance and Preservation Branch

General Information

• County Registrars and Recorders
• Vital Records Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
• California Marriage License General Information
• Marriage Officiant Frequently Asked Questions
• Center for Health Statistics and Informatics (CHSI)