Sonoma County (CA) Birth Certificate Online

Order a Sonoma County, California (CA) birth certificate online. Complete an easy online form, avoid long lines at the vital registration office, and get a certified copy of a Riverside County birth certificate mailed to you.

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REQUESTING VITAL RECORDS DURING COVID-19

US Birth Certificates will continue operating during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Some government offices remain closed, or are only open for appointments, however online and mail applications are accepted as normal. This allows our vital records services to continue without interruption.

Processing times have improved and most vital records offices are now operating as usual. Your vital record request will be processed and delivered as quickly as possible.

We will keep you updated on any changes.

Legal Disclaimer: US Birth Certificates is a privately owned website that is not affiliated with, not owned or operated by any government agency. US Birth Certificates is an independent preparer that provides vital records application preparation assistance services. If you are looking for blank forms, you can get them for free at the relevant state office.

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Sonoma County, CA Birth Certificate Replacement

Citizens born in Sonoma County are issued a California birth certificate as soon as their birth is officially registered.

This essential legal document is a requirement when an Sonoma County citizen wishes to:

  • Get married
  • Obtain a passport, social security card, or other forms of government-issued IDs
  • Enroll in school or university
  • Obtain social benefits, and much more

If your Sonoma County, California birth certificate got lost or was stolen, misplaced, or destroyed —even partially— you will need to order a Sonoma County birth certificate replacement.

Obtaining a legally-valid copy of a Sonoma County, CA vital record no longer requires waiting in line for long hours at a vital statistics office.

Applying for a Sonoma County, California birth certificate online is easy and straightforward. Follow our personalized instructions and fill out the simple application form in just a few minutes.

Once your Sonoma County birth certificate request has been processed by the bureau of vital statistics, you will receive an official copy of your Sonoma County, California document at home.

The Sonoma County vital statistics office can only issue birth certificates for citizens whose birth was registered in Sonoma County. Newborn certificates for babies born in Sonoma County are available approximately 4 weeks after the birth is registered.

Sonoma County, CA birth certificate types

When ordering a certified copy of your birth certificate in Sonoma County, California, it is important to understand the different types of birth certificates available in order to make sure you obtain the correct document to meet your needs.

As per California State law, there are 2 different types of birth certificate copies that can be issued for citizens born in Sonoma County, California.

Long-form copy of a Sonoma County, CA birth certificate

A long-form copy of a birth certificate issued in Sonoma County is also known as:

  • Authorized certified copy of a birth certificate
  • Unrestricted copy of a birth certificate
  • Certified copy of a birth certificate
  • Official copy of a birth certificate
  • Full copy of a birth certificate

An unrestricted copy of a Sonoma County birth certificate is a government-issued full-length copy of the original document. It includes any corrections, changes, or amendments made to the birth record.

If you need your birth certificate to sign up at university, get a driver’s license, apply for a US passport, get married, or for other legal purposes, then you need to order a certified copy of your Sonoma County birth certificate. An informational copy will not be accepted to prove your identity.

An unrestricted copy of a Sonoma County birth certificate is required at the following agencies, amongst others:

  • DMV: To obtain a driver’s license
  • Social Security: To obtain a Social Security number or card
  • Passport agencies: To obtain a passport card or passport book

An official or certified copy of a Sonoma County birth certificate can be easily distinguished because it will always carry the registrar’s seal, signature, and the date it was filed. The seal on long-form copies of a Sonoma County birth certificate is raised, embossed, impressed, or multicolored.

Who can order a birth certificate in Sonoma County?

Certified copies of a Sonoma County birth certificate can only be ordered by qualified individuals:

  • The certificate bearer, their parent or legal guardian, child, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, spouse, or domestic partner
  • A third party entitled to receive the birth record by court order, or an attorney or a licensed adoption agency seeking the birth record to comply with the requirements of Section 3140 or 7603 of the Family Code
  • A member of a law enforcement agency or a representative of another governmental agency, as provided by law, who is conducting official business
  • An attorney representing the registrant or the registrant's estate, or any person or agency empowered by statute or appointed by a court to act on behalf of the registrant or the registrant's estate.

Applicants requesting an unrestricted certified copy of a Sonoma County birth certificate, must complete and sign a sworn statement under penalty of perjury as required by Section 103526 of the California Health and Safety Code.

If you are not eligible to obtain a certified copy of a birth certificate in Sonoma County, you may order a redacted, informational copy instead.

Short-form copy of a Sonoma County, CA birth certificate

An informational copy of a Sonoma County birth certificate is also known as a short-form birth certificate. It is an abstract or redacted version of the birth record which only shows the individual's basic information.

This type of Sonoma County birth certificate is available to the general public —you do not need to be a qualified individual to order a copy.

Informational copies of a Sonoma County birth certificate cannot be used for identification purposes.

These copies bear the following statement imprinted across the face of the copy:

“Informational, not a valid document to establish identity”

How to Obtain a Sonoma County, California Birth Certificate

Getting a government-issued birth certificate in Sonoma County, California is a straightforward process that can be completed with little to no hassle. In fact, a Sonoma County birth certificate can be obtained without having to visit a vital records office nor wait in line.

You can order an authorized copy of a Sonoma County (CA) birth certificate for yourself or on behalf of a third person, as long as you are qualified to do so see eligibility information above

To obtain a copy of an Sonoma County birth certificate online:

  1. Fill out and print the California birth certificate application (available by clicking the button on this page). Then, sign the sworn statement in the presence of a notary public
  2. Include a photocopy of the applicant’s valid identification documents (detailed list below), a self-addressed stamped envelope, and the required payment
  3. Mail the aboveto the California Vital Records Office

You will receive the Sonoma County birth certificate at your home address, once it is processed and issued by the vital statistics office.

Copies of Sonoma County birth certificates may be ordered by posting your application package to the following mailing address:

Sonoma County Vital Statistics
415 Humboldt St,
Santa Rosa, CA 95404

Individuals in need of an urgent copy of a Sonoma County birth certificate may print and sign their Sonoma County birth certificate application after filling it out online and submit it in person with the necessary requirements.

Walk-in service means the applicant has to visit the Vital Registration counter early during office hours and wait in line. However, if the record is found on file at the same office, it may result in same-day issuance of the Sonoma County, CA birth certificate.

Please note that fees may vary between the state vital records office and the county vital records office, so make sure to inquire about the exact search cost once you arrive.

Furthermore, the county office at which you submit the birth certificate order depends on the age of the certificate bearer.

The simplest is to post your request to the California state vital records office.

However, should you prefer to send it to the Sonoma County office, here are the necessary addresses.

For birth certificates of babies born within the last 2 years, file your request at:

Sonoma County Vital Statistics
415 Humboldt St,
Santa Rosa, CA 95404

Sonoma County birth certificate requests for births recorded more than 2 years ago may be submitted at:

County Clerk-Recorder Office
585 Fiscal Drive Room 103
Santa Rosa, CA 95403

Sonoma County Birth Certificate Copy Required Information

To get a copy of a Sonoma County, California birth certificate, you will need to fill out the online birth certificate application with the following personal details, as stated on the birth record:

  • The full names of the certificate holder’s mother and father
  • The certificate holder's full name
  • Date and place of birth

Required documents for a certified copy of a Sonoma County birth certificate

Citizens applying for a certified copy of a Sonoma County birth certificate need to prove their identity with an unexpired identification document. Applicants also need to complete and sign the sworn statement on the application form in the presence of a notary public.

Applicants can show any of the following government-issued identification documents as proof of identity:

  • Driver’s license issued by California state
  • School ID
  • Voter Registration Card
  • U.S. Military card
  • U.S. passport, card or card issued by a foreign embassy or consulate
  • Native American tribal document with photograph
  • U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner card

How to Request an Apostille for a Sonoma County Birth Certificate

Sonoma County, CA citizens who need to use their birth certificate abroad for official business need to make sure their vital record bears an apostille to grant it legal validity outside the US territory.

To get an apostille for a Sonoma County birth certificate:

  1. Order a certified copy of the Sonoma County, California birth certificate
  2. Prepare a cover sheet stating the country in which the document will be utilized, as well as a self-addressed envelope with pre-paid postage
  3. Upon receiving the certified copy of the Sonoma County, CA birth certificate, mail the complete document to the California Secretary of State's office with the required apostille fee for authentication

California Authentications Unit street address:

California Secretary of State
Authentications Unit
Notary Public Section
1500 11th Street, 2nd Floor

Sacramento, CA 95814

California Authentications unit PO BOX:

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

Birth Certificate Cost in Sonoma County, California

When ordering a copy of a birth certificate in Sonoma County, California, (CA) it is necessary to pay the appropriate search fee.

The following payment methods are available when mailing your Sonoma County birth certificate application:

  • Personal check
  • Money order
  • Cashier check
  • Business check

Sonoma County birth certificate applications processed in the California state vital records office carry a $29 fee.

Applications submitted by post or handed in person at the Sonoma County Clerk’s Office carry a $32 fee.

Please note that the fee varies depending on whether you submit your Sonoma County birth certificate application at the California State or the Sonoma County office.

Applicants submitting their request in person also have the option of paying the fee in cash or by credit/debit card.

It is advisable to order extra copies using the same birth certificate application form. Additional copies can be kept on file ready for future use. Duplicate copies of the same Sonoma County birth certificate ordered within a single form carry the same cost as the initial copy ordered.

Applicants with an Affidavit of Homeless Status are eligible to obtain a fee exemption for a copy of their Sonoma County, CA birth certificate.

The Sonoma County Recorder —or any other California State Vital Records Office— will issue a certified copy of a birth certificate without a fee to citizens who can verify their status as a homeless person. The Affidavit of Homeless Status for a Fee Exempt Copy of a Birth Certificate must be completed by a Homeless Services Provider.

Sonoma County, California Birth Certificate Processing Times

Once you have mailed the complete Sonoma County birth certificate application package, along with the requirements detailed above and the necessary fees, the vital records office will process your request.

In most cases, your Sonoma County birth certificate order will be filled within 1-2 weeks. However, some vital records may take longer due to peak demand periods.

You will then receive your certified copy of the Sonoma County, California CA birth certificate by post, delivered right to your door.

This is especially important when you need to present your Sonoma County birth certificate for a procedure that has a strict deadline, such as school enrollment, retirement planning, or having a passport issued in time for a trip abroad.

If the record is found on file at the same county office, it may result in same-day issuance of the Sonoma County, CA birth certificate.

California Vital Records Offices

The following is a complete list of Vital Records and Public Health offices that can provide birth certificate copies in California. Keep in mind that the Sonoma County County Clerk’s office may sometimes process requests faster than the state vital records office.

Regardless of whether the birth certificate you require is found or not, a non-refundable search fee will be charged as per California law.

Therefore, unless you are sending your application to the State of California Vital Records Office, it is advisable to submit a Sonoma County birth certificate application at the office where the birth was first recorded, whenever possible. That way, you can be sure that the search will result in the long-form certified birth certificate being issued.

In some cases, applying at a different county office may result in the bureau issuing a short-form birth certificate instead of long-form should they not have the full file on location. In other cases, you may be issued a document stating the birth record was not found.

FAQs About Sonoma County (CA) Birth Certificates

  • Where to get a copy of a Sonoma County birth certificate with a County seal?

    The most convenient way to get a certified copy of a Sonoma County birth certificate is to apply online.

    Once you have filled out your Sonoma County birth certificate application and gathered the necessary documentation, you can obtain an authorized certified copy of a birth certificate with the embossed County of Sonoma County seal by sending your birth certificate application to the following address:

    Sonoma County Vital Statistics
    415 Humboldt St,
    Santa Rosa, CA 95404

    The state vital records office will then issue the Sonoma County birth certificate and you will receive it by mail at your chosen address.

  • What information do I need to obtain a birth certificate in Sonoma County (CA)?

    To request a certified copy of a Sonoma County birth certificate you must be either the certificate holder, an immediate family member or legal representative and fill the form with the following details:

    • Full name on the birth certificate
    • Date and place of birth
    • Full name of father and mother (including mother’s maiden name)
    • Valid identification (current state Driver’s License/photo ID preferred)
    • Reason for requesting the record (marriage, Apostille, school enrollment, etc.)

    The same details are necessary for short-form Sonoma County birth certificates. You do not need to be an immediate family member in order to obtain an abstract copy of a Sonoma County birth certificate.

  • How long does it take to get a birth certificate in Sonoma County?

    Getting a government-issued copy of a Sonoma County birth certificate usually takes 1 to 2 weeks. Fortunately, express delivery is available for an additional fee.

    The surefire way to get a certified copy of a Sonoma County birth certificate issued directly is to have our experts revise your application before you mail it or submit it in person. That way, you can be certain it is error-free and your request won't be rejected

    Typos or inconsistencies in the data may cause unnecessary delays or setbacks.

    Our team can help you avoid the extra hassle so that the Sonoma County birth certificate can be issued by the vital records office and sent to your door on the first try.

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