Order Your California (CA) Birth Certificate Online

It only takes a few minutes to get your California birth certificate online. Order a certified copy straight to your home, without visiting a government office.

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Disclaimer: Usbirthcertificates.com is a private, independent website owned by Travel Document Systems LLC, not affiliated with any government agency. We provide vital records application assistance services. Blank forms can be obtained for free at the relevant state office.

Birth Certificate Replacement in the State of California

The California Department of Public Health, Vital Records (CDPH-VR), issues certified copies of birth certificates to citizens born in-state. It also holds other vital records, like marriage licenses and death certificates.

If you lost your birth certificate, or it was damaged or destroyed, you should request a certified replacement as soon as possible.

All U.S. citizens should have an official copy of their birth certificate. It’s required when applying for a passport, getting married, and a number of other important processes. If you only hold an informational copy, you should get a certified birth certificate without delay.

If you were born in California, there’s no need to go to a vital records office in person. You can apply for a new copy of your birth certificate comfortably from your phone, tablet or computer.

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Types of Birth Certificates in California

There are two types of birth certificates you can request in California. Here’s a breakdown of the key differences:

Authorized birth certificate Informational birth certificate
Certified copy for official use Not accepted as official ID
Has California’s official seal Does not show CA state seal
Shows registrar’s signature Used for information only

To get a U.S. passport or driver’s license for the first time, you must provide an official copy of your birth certificate. It’s the only way to get authorized proof that you were born in California.

Informational certificates are useful for genealogy or researching your family tree. If the only copy of your birth certificate that you hold is non-official, it’s best to order a certified copy for your records.

California birth certificates: Short form and long form

A California long form birth certificate is a full, official copy of the original birth record. This version includes all details from the original record, including the person’s full name, date and place of birth, parents' full names, and the attending physician.

Long form records feature the embossed Seal of California. They’re often required for legal and federal processes, like passport applications, or other matters where you need to show government ID.

Short form birth certificates contain basic information, but they do not include all the details found in a long form California birth record. Though the key details, like the child’s name, sex, date and county of birth, are included, other information is removed.

Short form records are certified, official documents that can be used for school enrollment or general identification, but not for all official purposes.

In California, long and short form birth records are available for individuals born in the state from July 1, 1905 forward.

California birth certificates and REAL ID

As of May 7, 2025, all U.S. citizens and residents must have a REAL ID-compliant driving license or ID card to enter federal facilities and board domestic flights.

Alternatively, you can also show another type of approved federal ID, like a U.S. passport, Green Card, official Tribal Identification Card, or Military ID.

REAL IDs have been issued in California since January 22, 2018. If you have renewed your state ID or driver’s license since then, your ID is likely already compliant with the new regulations. California REAL IDs have a golden bear and star in the top right corner.

If you do not have a REAL ID, it’s vital you get one so you meet the new requirements. In California, presenting your certified CA birth certificate, along with proof of residency and your Social Security Number is the easiest way to apply.

How to Get a Birth Certificate in California

Getting a birth certificate in California can be a straightforward process, especially when you complete the process online.

When you order your birth certificate with us, you avoid a trip to the vital records office, saving you time and money.

To get a certified copy of a birth certificate, the state of California requires that you submit an application form and verify your identity.

You must fill out the sworn statement in your application package, and sign it in the presence of a notary public. Once complete, mail all the required documents to:

California Department of Public Health
Vital Records – MS 5103
P.O. Box 997410
Sacramento, CA 95899-7410

california birth certificate sample

If you do not notarize your application, your request will be processed for an informational certificate, rather than a certified copy.

You can also submit your application in person at any of the following county vital records offices in California: Alameda County, Chula Vista, Contra Costa County, Fresno County, Los Angeles County, Monterey County, Orange County, Riverside County, Sacramento County, San Bernardino County, San Diego County, San Mateo County, San Francisco County, Santa Clara County, San Joaquin County, Stanislaus County, Sonoma County, Ventura County, Tulare County, Kern County, and cities like Long Beach, Concord, City of Sacramento, Oakland, San Jose, San Diego, Stockton, Santa Barbara County, Anaheim, Santa Ana, City of Los Angeles, City of Fresno, and Irvine. GET A BIRTH CERTIFICATE

How to Request an Apostille

The California Secretary of State provides an Apostille to authenticate California public official’s signatures on documents that will be used outside the U.S. You might need an Apostille if you’re planning to live, work, or get married outside the United States.

You can request an apostille birth certificate in California in two ways:

  • By mail via the Sacramento office
  • In person at the Sacramento or Los Angeles office

The fee for each Apostille is $20. You can pay by Visa or Mastercard in person, but this incurs an extra $6 handling fee. No cash is accepted, but money orders and checks made payable to the Secretary of State are accepted.

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Apostille requests by mail: All mail applications for birth certificate apostilles in California are handled by the Sacramento office. You must provide the following in your application:

  • Document you need the apostille for — i.e. a certified copy of a birth certificate
  • Cover sheet — a note stating the country where the document will be used, along with your contact details
  • Check or money order — payable to the Secretary of State for $20 per Apostille requested
  • Self-addressed envelope — with pre-paid postage for the processed document to be returned

If you’re using the United States Postal Service, the address you need is:

Notary Public Section
P.O. Box 942877
Sacramento, CA 94277–0001

For applications sent with Fedex, UPS, DHL, or any other courier service, the address is:

Notary Public Section
1500 11th Street
Sacramento, CA 95814

Documents are generally processed within 8 to 10 business days from the date they were received.

Apostille applications made in person: You can request an apostille for a CA birth certificate in person at the following offices:

Secretary of State - Sacramento
1500 11th Street, 2nd Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814

Secretary of State (California)
300 South Spring Street, Room 12513
Los Angeles, CA 90013

Both offices are open from 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

There’s no need to make an appointment. Requests are processed on a first come, first served basis.

Important: If you need an apostille for a birth certificate that’s signed by a Health Officer or Country Registrar, you must:

  • Have it certified by the county clerk’s office in the county where it was issued, or
  • Request a certified copy of your birth certificate.

Who Can Apply for A California Birth Certificate?

To apply for a California duplicate birth certificate, you must meet eligibility requirements. The following are able to apply for the certified copy:

  • The certificate holder, or their parent or legal guardian
  • A child, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, spouse, or domestic partner of the certificate holder
  • A member of a law enforcement agency or a representative of another governmental agency who is conducting official business
  • A party entitled to receive the record as a result of a court order, or an attorney or a licensed adoption agency seeking the birth record
  • An attorney or court appointed representing the certificate holder or their estate

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California Birth Certificate Cost

The fee for a certified copy of a California birth certificate is: $29. Each additional copy also costs $29.

This fee applies whether you’re applying for a certified replacement or an informational certificate.

California Birth Certificate Processing Times

The usual wait time for a copy of your CA birth certificate replacement is 12-14 weeks when processed via the CDPH-VR.

The state of California does not offer a rush service for birth certificate copies. If the office is experiencing a high number of requests, it’s possible that it may take longer to process.

Birth certificate processing times are generally shorter at County Recorder’s Offices. The average is 1 to 3 weeks.

Get your CA birth certificate copy efficiently

Apply with our convenient online service to avoid trips to the vital records office and long lines.

To expedite processing, complete our streamlined birth certificate request form in less than 5 minutes and mail it to the respective California vital records office.

Once your application is processed, it will be mailed back to your home address. REQUEST A BIRTH CERTIFICATE



California Vital Records Offices

Below is a complete list of Vital Records offices and County Recorders in California who issue birth certificate copies. Keep in mind that County Recorder Offices may not be near you, but they can sometimes process the requests faster than the CDPH-VR.

California Vital Records Offices

Get your state-issued certified record

If you need an official copy of a vital record, it only takes a few minutes to apply securely from the comfort of home.

Birth Certificate Death Certificate Marriage Certificate Divorce Certificate

Start any vital record application from only $59

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FAQs About California Birth Certificates

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    Secure Data Protection

    100% secure and encrypted online Birth Certificate forms. Get a copy or replacement of your birth records while we keep your data safe!

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    Personalized Review

    Our team of experts are trained in all states and will review each application to make sure there is no information missing and that everything is correct. This way you will avoid delays and get exactly what you are looking for when you order your birth certificate online.

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    ID Verification

    Some states require that you provide a copy of your photo ID card to order a certified copy of your birth certificate. Our complete application package provides all the information on which documents you need to provide and how to go about it.

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