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Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need a certified copy of your birth, death, or marriage certificate? The fastest option is to order your vital records online. Below are three (3) ways to request vital records online or by mail.

1. Fastest: Online

  • Fill out the online order form for a California birth, marriage, or death certificate. StateVitalRecords.org is contracted with the state of California as an approved vendor.
  • If you were requested to provide supporting documentation after checkout and have not yet done so, please check your Order Status page.

2. By mail (Self-Service)

  • You can still use State Vital Records for assistance if you choose to mail the application yourself.
  • Fill out the necessary form(s) in Vital Records.
  • Notarize a sworn statement with a local notary or with NotaryLive, a remote online notarization platform.
  • Print out the application/forms with the notarized sworn statement
  • Mail the form(s) to the appropriate vital statistics unit, which will be listed on the application form, along with your payment (check or money order)
  • You can use StateVitalRecords.org if you choose the mailing option as well for a birth certificate. This is a self-service option.

3. In Person

  • Visit a branch
  • Bring an acceptable form of identification
  • Pay the fee (cash, check, money order, credit, or debit)

Questions about the mail option? Contact StateVitalRecord's customer support or the California Department of Public Health for more information.

Order California Birth Certificate Online: $29 (additional copies are $29 each)

To order California marriage or death certificates, marriage certificates will cost $17, and death certificates will cost $24 for each additional copy.

When ordering vital records online, a transaction fee of $14 applies and may vary depending on the delivery method.

A certified copy can be used to establish the identity of the person named on the certificate, whereas a certified informational copy CANNOT be used to establish identity.

Persons who are not eligible to receive a certified copy can obtain a certified informational copy. Both types of documents are certified copies of the original document on file. Depending on the exact year of the event, some certified informational copies will have signatures and Social Security numbers removed.

No additional identification is required, but a Notarized Sworn statement is. This verifies your identity to get a certified copy of your certificate online.

Qualified Applicants

Relationships are based on familial connections or marriage. Not just anyone can get someone else's birth certificate.The following can request a certified copy of a birth certificate, marriage certificate, or death certificate:

  • Self
  • Parent
  • Sibling
  • Child
  • Grandparent
  • Grandchild
  • Spouse/Domestic Partner
  • Legal guardian or representative (must be able to provide legal documentation supporting the relationship)

A death certificate has additional qualified applicants:

  • Surviving next of kin
  • Funeral establishments

Other Relationships:

  • A party entitled to receive a birth certificate as a result of a 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 (needs court order).
  • 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.
  • Appointed rights in a power of attorney, or an executor of the registrant's estate (needs legal docs)
  • A member of a law enforcement agency or a representative of another governmental agency, as provided by law, who is conducting official business (companies representing a government agency must provide authorization from the government agency)
In California, to get a certified copy of your birth, death, or marriage certificate, you must submit a notarized authorization form with your application. This ensures that the person requesting the vital records online is authorized to access them; the form further helps protect sensitive personal information. You can notarize this form online with NotaryLive for a straightforward, simplified process.

Are the birth certificates official?

Yes, the birth certificates are official documents issued by the California Department of Public Health and are recognized and accepted by all state and federal agencies. The birth certificates can be used for several identifying purposes including, but not limited to: obtaining a passport or state-issued driver's license/identification card, travel, employment, social security, school, etc

What kind of payment methods do you accept?

We accept Visa, MasterCard, JCB, American Express and Discover. Please contact us for more payment options.

Are you affiliated with the state of California?

We are a privately-owned site, not affiliated with nor endorsed by the state of California. However, we are dedicated to maintaining a positive relationship and reputation with everyone, including the California Department of State Health Services' Vital Statistics Unit.

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