Guidelines For Ordering Vital Records

California Health and Safety Code, Section 103526, permits only authorized individuals to receive certified copies of records. Those who are not authorized by law to receive an authorized certified copy will receive a certified copy marked "INFORMATIONAL, NOT A VALID DOCUMENT TO ESTABLISH IDENTITY."

The law describes an authorized person as:

• The registrant or a parent or legal guardian of the registrant.

• 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 in order 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.

• A child, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, spouse, or domestic partner of the registrant.

• 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.

• Any funeral director that orders certified copies of a death certificate on behalf of any individual specified in paragraphs (1) to (5), inclusive, of subdivison (a) of Section 7100 of the Health and Safety Code.

In order to obtain an Authorized Certified Copy you MUST complete the sworn statement included with the certificate application form and sign the statement under penalty of perjury. If you mail your request, your sworn statement must be notarized. If your mailed request indicates that you want a Authorized Certified Copy but does not include a notarized statement sworn under penalty of perjury, the request will be rejected as incomplete and returned to you without being processed. Click here for mail order application.

To submit an application for a vital record online before visiting the Clerk-Recorder's office click here Online Vital Record Application and Appointment System

To view, cancel or reschedule an existing appointment click here View, cancel or reschedule appointment

Obtaining Certified Copies of Birth Records

Obtaining Certified Copies of Marriage Records

Obtaining Certified Copies of Death Records