California Vital Records

Easy 3-Step Online Application Process

Order California vital records using our VRO 3-step process that protects your information at every step.

1. Complete the online application.
2. Upload your required documents.
3. Receive your vital record from CDPH-VR.

Do you have all the necessary documents prepared? You’ll be required to upload them during the secure online application process.

✔︎ Order multiple certified vital records in one application for a single admission fee to save time and costs.
✔︎ Online Notary Services are available through our partners for your convenience. Find out more about the online ordering and premium handling process.

Order by Mail or In-Person

You can apply in person if you live near a county health department office that issues certified vital records. Ensure the office is open to the public, and be prepared for long lines. You can also order online or by mail to save time and avoid waiting.

The process is similar whether you apply in person or by mail. If you’re applying in person at the vital records office, be ready to complete the following steps:

1. Gather the correct documents.
2. Get photocopies of your documents.
3. Complete the correct form
4. Get a notarized sworn statement.
5. During regular business hours, present everything to the health department.

Additionally, by mail, you will need the following:

1. Purchase an envelope.
2. Include a physical check or a money order.
3. Mail with tracking to ensure arrival to the correct office location.

Ensure a successful application by carefully reviewing the specific criteria for each document before sending it to prevent denial due to errors or incomplete information.

❗️ To prevent rejection of your application, review the criteria for each required document before mailing.

❗️ Ensure your application and payment are sent to the correct health department that issues certified copies of the original record.

❗️ If you mail your application and documents, it is recommended that you use tracking to confirm that they arrive at the correct office.

What Do I Need to Get a Certificate in California?

Some information the CDPH-VR requires for an online application includes:

• Name on document of record.
• Proof of identity of the person requesting the document.
• A notarized sworn statement (required for online requests)
• Phone number
• Relationship to the person listed on the certificate.
• Name of the city and county where the health department recorded the event.
• A secure method of payment.

Please check the table below for all requirements.

The CDPH-VR outlines specific requirements for each type of certificate and personal situation. Be sure to check the eligibility conditions for California vital records replacements.

At VRO, we simplify collecting and generating the required documents and guide you through the entire process.

You can quickly complete our application on any internet-connected device in as little as five minutes.

We ensure your application avoids rejections from common mistakes or missing documents.

If your application isn’t fully approved, the CDPH-VR’s processing department can provide an informational copy. However, no refunds are available in this case.

To avoid rejection, we ensure your application is complete to save extra costs and prevent delays.

❗️ When applying for California vital records in person, you will need to provide one of the accepted IDs. Without proper ID and a fully completed application, your request will be returned, causing considerable delays in processing your order.

❗️ The Vital Records processing department of the CDPH-VR can produce an informational copy if your application is not entirely approved. You cannot get a refund in this scenario. Avoiding a rejection can save you from accumulating additional costs and an extended wait time.

Who Can Request Vital Records in California?

The certificate holder can request a certified copy of their vital records and must verify their identity when obtaining a notarized sworn statement with their application.

Check the eligibility requirements for birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates to ensure you are authorized.

Authorized People Include:

• Registrant – name on record
• Parents
• Children (over the age of 18)
• Grandparents
• Legal Guardian
• Grandchildren

Certificate	Authorized People
Birth Certificate	Adoption Agencies, Attorneys, Children, Government Officials, Grandparents, Law Enforcement, Legal Guardian, Other Person Empowered by Statute, Other Person by Court Order, Parents, Person on Record, Siblings, Spouse
Death Certificate	Attorneys, Children, Funeral Director, Government Officials, Grandchildren, Grandparents, Heir, Law Enforcement, Legal Guardian, Other Person Empowered by Statute, Other Person by Court Order, Parents, Siblings, Spouse
Marriage Certificate	Attorneys, Children, Government Officials, Grandchildren, Grandparents, Law Enforcement, Legal Guardian, Other Person Empowered by Statute, Other Person by Court Order, Parents, Person on Record, Siblings, Spouse

✔︎ If you can provide documentation of legal interest or hold a Power of Attorney from the person on record, you are eligible to request California vital records for that person.

Notarized Sworn Statement

Do I need a notary with my application for CA vital records?

The CDPH-VR requires applicants to verify their identity by submitting a notarized sworn statement.

✔︎ We offer an online notary service through 3rd party partners in your application options.

✔︎ The CDPH-VR does not require a photocopy of your ID with the notarized application document.

✔︎ Informational copies of CA vital records do not require a notarized sworn statement.

Prices and Fees

Depending on the state and county, processing times vary from several days to months. We offer expedited shipping and processing when applicable.

The costs for vital record replacements depend on the CDPH-VR’s fees for each type of certificate and if a notary is required.

Submitting a California online or mail-in application requires a notary service to prove your identity, which is an additional cost. We’re partnered with an online notary service to save you time.

Our Application Assistant fee is $29.00 when ordering birth, marriage, divorce, or death records through VRO.

CDPH-VR charges a $29.00 fee for each certified copy of a birth record, a $17.00 fee for each certified marriage certificate, $16.00 fee for each divorce certificate, and a $24.00 fee for each death certificate.

✔︎Additional copies can be requested in the same order to save future costs from shipping and notary if your vital records are lost, destroyed, or stolen.

Processing and Delivery Times

How long will it take to receive my CA vital records?

Processing and replacement times for birth, death, marriage, or divorce certificates can vary.

• You can choose to include online notarization with one of our partners as an extra step during checkout. If you choose to have the document notarized yourself we provide a list of notaries in your area.
• You can request birth certificates 21 days after the event and death certificates two weeks after.
• CDPH-VR can only provide certified copies of marriage certificates that occurred during these years:
  • 1905 – 1999
  • 2008 – 2022
• 2000 – 2007 Contact the County Recorder’s Office that issued the marriage license.
• CDPH-VR does not keep records of confidential marriages. Certified copies of these records can only be obtained from the county clerk’s office where the license was issued. Only individuals on the marriage certificate can request copies of confidential marriage records.
• The CDHP only maintains divorce records for 1962-June 1984 and can only provide a Certificate of Record, not the divorce decree. That can be obtained from the Superior Court in the issuing county.
• If a record is requested from CDPH-VR during the waiting period, it may not be in their database. In such cases, a Certificate of No Public Record (CNPR) will be issued, and a fee for this service will apply, as state law requires.
  

Tracking Your California Vital Records?

When you apply on our VRO secure site, you can check the order status on your customer dashboard to follow your application.

Our services offer first-class mail postage, USPS priority, or FedEx Express to track your application packet. Once our expert team verifies your information, it will be sent to the CA Department of Public Health.

After your local vital records issuer has processed the application and documents, the CDPH-VR will ship your certified vital record(s) with USPS first-class mail with tracking to ensure its secure arrival.

The CDPH-VR does not claim responsibility for any misdirected or lost certificates.

Click here for more information on Tracking My Vital Record Order.

❓ Find more frequently asked questions below the California counties office locations directory.