Birth certificates are very important for identification purposes. Anyone born in the US receives one at birth. They are useful for getting a job, obtaining a driver’s license, and various other things that require identification. However, they can sometimes be lost or damaged. If you need to obtain a copy of a California birth certificate, there are a few things to know first.
All states, including California, allow access to birth certificates, as well as other vital records, including marriage, divorce, and death records. However, the exact process for obtaining a certified copy of a birth certificate varies from state to state.
If you are trying to obtain a copy of a birth certificate in the state of California, you should be aware that the birth certificate and other similar records, prior to July 1905, are kept in the county where that event took place. All records from then on are kept in the State Registrar’s office. Therefore, it is important to know what year and county you are looking for. That way, you will know whether to contact the county clerk for the copy or the State Recorder’s office.
If you are looking for a certified copy of your own birth certificate or that of an immediate family member, chances are you want records after 1905. If that’s the case, you should contact the Office of Vital Records in Sacramento, California. You can do this in writing, but before you do, you may want to call them to check things like the fees involved and how long it will take to get your copy. You can reach them at (916) 445-2684. You will want to have a notebook and pen on hand, because you will likely receive a recorded message with that information. Once you know the fees required to obtain a certified copy, you can make a check payable to the Office of Vital Records.
Although this method is the cheapest, it takes a long time. It can take several weeks to get your birth certificate certified that way. Also, note that starting in 2003, you must sign an affidavit to obtain a copy. You must notarize the statement and then mail it in, or it will be returned to you and you will not receive your copy.
If you are more interested in convenience or speed, you may prefer to order your certified copy of your birth certificate online. It is fast and easy. Just log in to dhs.ca.gov/hisp/chs/ovr/ordercert.htm and follow the simple instructions there. With that method, you can get your certified copy in as little as a few days, depending on where you live.
If you follow all the regulations the state of California requires, obtaining a copy of your California birth certificate should be fairly simple. Once you have it, keep it in a safe place, so you have to worry about ordering one again.
