State vital records · CDPH-VR
California Vital Records Requirements
Fees, processing times, required documents, and who can request birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates in California — in one place.
California · 122 offices
At a glance
California Department of Public Health – Vital Records (CDPH-VR)
- Address
- California Department of Public Health Vital Records - MS 5103 P.O. Box 997410 Sacramento, CA 95899-7410
- Mailing
- California Department of Public Health Vital Records - MS 5103 P.O. Box 997410 Sacramento, CA 95899-7410
- Phone
- (916) 445-2684
- Website
- Official site ↗
- Hours
- Monday through Friday, 8AM – 4PM (by telephone, they do not have public counter)
California Birth Certificate
- Fee
- $29
- Additional copy
- $29
- Rush fee
- NA “CDPH-VR Vital Records office cannot accommodate expedited requests.”
- Processing time
- 10 to 12 weeks
- Rush processing
- NA “CDPH-VR Vital Records office cannot accommodate expedited requests.”
Who can request
- 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
Required information
- Date of Birth
- Father's Name
- Full Name at Birth
- Mailing Address
- Mother's Name
- Phone Number
- Place of Birth
- Purpose for the Certificate
- Your Name
- Your Relationship to the Person of Record
- Your Signature
California Death Certificate
- Fee
- $24
- Additional copy
- $24
- Rush fee
- NA “CDPH-VR Vital Records office cannot accommodate expedited requests.”
- Processing time
- 10 to 12 weeks
- Rush processing
- NA “CDPH-VR Vital Records office cannot accommodate expedited requests.”
Who can request
- 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
Required information
- County of Death
- Date of Birth
- Date of Death
- Full Name of Person of Record
- Mailing Address
- Mother's Name
- Phone Number
- SSN
- Spouse Name
- Your Name
- Your Relationship to the Person of Record
- Your Signature
California Marriage Certificate
- Fee
- $17
- Additional copy
- $17
- Rush fee
- NA “CDPH-VR Vital Records office cannot accommodate expedited requests.”
- Processing time
- 10 to 12 weeks
- Rush processing
- NA “CDPH-VR Vital Records office cannot accommodate expedited requests.”
Who can request
- 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
Required information
- Bride Name
- Bride's Name Before Marriage
- County of Marriage
- Date of Marriage
- Groom Name
- Groom Name Before Marriage
- Mailing Address
- Phone Number
- Your Name
- Your Relationship to the Person of Record
- Your Signature
Don't want to visit in person? Order a California birth, death, or marriage certificate online through our partner, Vital Records Online.
Order online ↗Get a birth certificate by California county
Most California birth and death records are requested at the county level. Choose your county for local offices, fees, and how to order.
- Los Angeles County birth certificate3
- San Diego County birth certificate3
- Orange County birth certificate2
- Riverside County birth certificate2
- San Bernardino County birth certificate2
- Santa Clara County birth certificate3
- Alameda County birth certificate2
- Sacramento County birth certificate2
- Contra Costa County birth certificate1
- Fresno County birth certificate2
- Kern County birth certificate2
- Ventura County birth certificate2
Apostille & authentication
- Office
- Notary Public Section
- Phone
- (213) 897-5310 (LA) (916) 653-3595 (Sacramento)
- Mailing
- Secretary of State Notary Public Section 1500 11th Street, 2nd Floor Sacramento, CA 95814
- Walk-in
- Secretary of State (Sacramento) 1500 11th Street, 2nd Floor Sacramento, CA 95814 300 South Spring Street, Room 12513 Los Angeles, CA 90013 Secretary of State (Los Angeles) 300 South Spring Street, Room 12513Los Angeles, CA 90013
- Details
- 1. A vital record certified by a California public official or an original notarized and/or certified record. A photocopy is not acceptable. 2. A cover sheet stating the country in which the document will be used. 3. A check or money order payable to Secretary of State in the amount of $20.00 per Apostille requested. 4. A self-addressed envelope for the processed document to be returned.
Public records: California Public Records Act. Information is provided as guidance and may change — verify with the state office before applying.