California Vital Records

California vital records are legal documents that document major life events. These records include birth (live births) and fetal deaths (still births), deaths (non-fetal), marriages, and divorces. Operating as part of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), the Vital Records Division (CDPH-VR) serves as the state agency responsible for registering, issuing, correcting, and archiving vital records.

California vital records are governed by California Health & Safety Code Division 102. Vital Records and Health Statistics. Under the law, all local registrars are expected to transmit original registrations (births and deaths) to the State Registrar and maintain copies locally (§ 102345(a), § 102330, and § 102335).

Public Access to California Vital Records

California does not treat vital records such as births, deaths, fetal deaths, marriages, and divorces as public records. Under the California Open Records Law, access to vital records is not open to the public. The law restricts public access to protect personal information. In addition, California Health & Safety Code § 103526 states that only authorized individuals with a legal right to vital records may obtain certified copies of these documents. Those in this category include the registrant, parent/legal guardian, spouse, domestic partner, or legal representative. In contrast, those ineligible to obtain authorized copies of California vital records may receive informational copies. However, applicants cannot use informational copies to obtain identification.

Although California maintains archival records of vital records (mostly over 70 years old), accessing them may still require court orders or limited authorized access under California law. Requesters may access dated crucial records through the California State Archives. The agency maintains selected pre-1905 local birth, death, and marriage registers. These historical collections, which are helpful for genealogical or research purposes, differ from modern vital records.

Types of Vital Records Available in California

The types of vital records in California, maintained by the California Department of Public Health, include birth, death, fetal death/still birth, marriage, and divorce records. The CDPH-VR is responsible for issuing certified copies of California vital records and registers, as well as amending vital records as authorized by law.

• Birth Records: California maintains and preserves birth certificates for persons born in the state.
• Death Records: Death certificates provide information on deaths occurring in California. Some counties may also have older death registers.
• Marriage Records: The state maintains and preserves marriage certificates for unions contracted and registered in the state.
• Fetal Death/Stillbirth Records: California keeps a record of all fetal deaths of 20 weeks or more of gestation period.

In California, the different vital records maintained by the CDPH-VR are issued as authorized copies or informational copies. Authorized copies are available to eligible applicants to confirm the identity of the individual named on the certificates. In contrast, informational copies are available to the public but cannot be used to establish identity.

California Birth Records

The California Department of Public Health preserves California birth certificates at the state level. Requesters may also obtain these documents from the county registrar in the county where the birth occurred.

A California birth certificate typically includes the child's name, sex, date and place of birth, and the complete names and birth locations of each parent. A record of live birth in California may also contain medical and social information, such as birth weight, pregnancy history, complications, parental education, and occupation. However, some of these details may be deemed confidential and for health purposes only.

Under § 102400, the attending physician or principal birth attendant (or, if absent, a father, mother, or owner of the premises where a birth occurred) is expected to prepare and submit the birth certificate to the local registrar within 21 days.

To get a birth certificate in California, eligible applicants may request certified copies (both authorized and informational) of state-level birth certificates from the CDPH. They may also request such documents from the county registrar/recorder in a county where the birth took place.

For further details on obtaining, registering, or amending a birth certificate, interested parties may visit the CDPH Vital Records main page.

California Death Records

Under § 102875, a California death certificate is divided into two sections. The first part records information about the deceased, including their full name, gender identity, age, marital status, place of death, and time of death. The section also documents basic life data (occupation, birthplace, parents), the person who reported the death, and the body's disposition (such as burial or cremation). The second segment covers medical or health data, including cause of death, antecedent causes, information on injury or accidents, pregnancy status, and major operations or findings.

The California Department of Public Health - Vital Records is the state's custodian of death records. The agency has maintained them throughout the state since July 1905. While the CDPH-VR issues death certificates for all counties in the state, county registrars or recorder offices only issue death certificates for events that occurred in their county.

Individuals seeking death records in California may obtain authorized or informational copies (valid for informational purposes, but not for legal identification), depending on their eligibility. Authorized copies are limited to eligible individuals, such as the registrant's parent, legal guardian, child, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, spouse, domestic partner, or legal representative. Non-authorized persons may acquire certified copies.

Key Official Resources

• California Department of Public Health (CDPH): Obtaining Certified Copies of Death Records page
• CDPH: Authorized Copy vs. Informational Copy guidance for death (and other vital) records
• CDPH: Apply for Death Certificate
• CDPH: Contact Vital Records page

California Marriage Records

In California, marriage records are legal paperwork that show that a couple acquired a valid license, held a wedding ceremony, and had their marriage registered with the state. They serve as legal proof of marriage for name changes, benefits, inheritance, immigration, and other civil purposes.

The CDPH-VR typically issues certified copies of public marriage records for marriages in certain year ranges (currently 1905 to 1999 and 2008 to 2023, with gaps that must be requested from the county). Requesters may also request marriage records from the county clerk or recorder's office in the county where the marriage ceremony took place (and often where it occurred).

Under HSC § 103526, only eligible parties, such as the spouses, certain family members, or legal representatives, may receive an authorized certified copy of a public marriage record. Other interested parties may only receive a certified informational copy marked "Not a Valid Document to Establish Identity."

Regarding confidential marriage records, California law limits access to spouses or to an authorized person holding a court order. Marriage records in this category are inaccessible to the general public.

Key Official Resources

• How to Obtain a Certified Copy of a Marriage Record
• Marriage License, Registration, and Ceremony Information
• CDPH Vital Records (marriage overview & applications)
• CDC Where to Write for Vital Records - California" (state vs county contacts)

California Divorce Records

In California, the CDPH-VR maintains the Certificate of Record for Divorces from 1962 to June 1984. This document provides information such as the parties' names, the filing date, the county, and the divorce case number. However, this information comprises only the face sheet of the divorce action, not the actual divorce decree.

Unlike a Certificate of Record for Divorce, a divorce decree or judgment of dissolution is a court-issued official document stating that a marriage is legally dissolved and contains orders on property division, custody, support, and other matters. A divorce decree is the legal evidence of a divorce. It is only issued by the Superior Court where the case was filed. Individuals looking for a particular superior court where a divorce was granted in California may use the California Courts' Find Your Court page.

How to Order Vital Records in California

Eligible requesters may order California vital records through several official channels, including:

Online Request

Interested parties may request certified copies of vital records through a state-authorized third-party vendor.

Mail-In Requests

Applicants using the mail-in option may submit a birth or death application form to either the county where the event occurred or to the California Department of Public Health - Vital Records. They may also request certified copies of public marriage certificates from the CDPH -VR. Application forms are expected to be mailed with a sworn statement (for certified copies) to:

CDPH - Vital Records

In-Person Requests (County Offices)

Eligible applicants may visit the county recorder or county clerk where an event occurred to request records in person. This method is one of the fastest ways to obtain vital records. in-person services typically offer same-day issuance of authorized and informational copies.

Who Can Request California Vital Records?

Individuals who can access birth, death, and public marriage records in California include authorized persons, such as the registrant, immediate family, legal or court-appointed representatives, pursuant to Health & Safety Code §103526. Other categories of requesters may obtain information copies that contain the exact details as authorized copies, but are not lawful for identity purposes.

In California, divorce indexes are public and maintained by the CDPH-VR (1962 to 1984). However, requesters can only access divorce decrees and complete case files through the Superior Court where the case was filed.

Applicants are advised that California vital records eligibility requirements may vary based on the county or requesting method used.

Record Type	Eligible Requestors	Required Documents	Official Source Link
Birth Certificate	Registrant (18 and older) Parents/Legal guardians Immediate family (e.g., spouse, sibling, child, grandparent) Legal representatives Individuals with a court order	Government-issued ID. sworn statement for certified copies	CDPH Birth Records: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CHSI/Pages/Vital-Records-Obtaining-Certified-Copies-of-Birth-Records.aspx
Death Certificate	Immediate family Executor or attorney Individuals with legitimate financial/legal interest	Valid ID. sworn statement for certified copies	CDPH Death Records: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CHSI/Pages/Vital-Records-Obtaining-Certified-Copies-of-Death-Records.aspx
Marriage Record (Public)	Either spouse Immediate family Legal representatives	ID. sworn statement for certified copies	CDPH Marriage Records: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CHSI/Pages/Vital-Records-Obtaining-Certified-Copies-of-Divorce-Records.aspx
Marriage Record (Confidential)	Only the spouses Individuals with a court order	Valid ID. possible court order	County Superior Court (County Clerk guidance): https://courts.ca.gov/courts/superior-courts
Certificate of Record for a divorce (1962 to June 1984)	Public access	None required	CDPH Certificate of Record for a divorce: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CHSI/Pages/Vital-Records-Obtaining-Certified-Copies-of-Divorce-Records.aspx
Divorce Decree/Court File	Parties to the case Attorneys Others with legal interest (subject to court rules)	Valid ID. case number may be required	California Courts Finder: https://www.courts.ca.gov/find-my-court.htm

Processing Times for California Vital Records Requests

In California, how long it takes to get a vital record often depends on the request method, record type, and whether the request is handled by CDPH - Vital Records or the county recorder/clerk.

Typically, county records/clerks process requests more swiftly compared to the CDPH. This is not surprising, as the CDPH handles requests for the entire state. Online submissions also offer a quick turnaround time if the identity verification and sworn statement requirements are completed correctly.

Mail-in requests may take longer to process due to factors such as mailing time, request volume, or eligibility verification requirements. For further details, interested parties may review California vital record processing time estimates on the state Department of Public Health's website.

Record Type	Factors That Influence Processing Time	Considerations
Birth Certificate	Request method (online, by mail, or in person). CDPH vs. county processing Verification of eligibility and sworn statement requirements	County offices often issue faster than CDPH. Missing ID or incorrect forms delay processing. CDPH posts updated state processing times online.
Death Certificate	Whether cause-of-death data is included. Coroner or medical examiner verification. State vs. county workload	Some counties process same-day in-person. CDPH requests may take several weeks, depending on volume.
Marriage Record (Public)	Whether the record is recent or archived. County of marriage Method of submission	Certified copies may require sworn statements. Older records may require additional search time
Marriage Record (Confidential)	Requirement to verify the identity of both spouses. Court-order requests for third parties.	Only spouses can receive certified copies. County clerk processing times vary.
Certificate of Record for a divorce (1962 to June 1984)	Limited years available (1962-1984). Search volume at the state office.	Index-only records. Full decrees must be requested from courts.
Divorce Decree/Court File	Court backlog and retrieval procedure. Case age and storage (onsite vs. archives).	Must be requested from the Superior Court where the case was filed. Some courts offer online copy requests or same-day pickup.

Fees for Obtaining Vital Records in California

In California, state-regulated fees apply for certified and informational copies of birth, death, fetal death, and marriage records. The fees for obtaining certified vital records from the CDPH-VR are as follows:

• Birth record: $29 per copy requested
• Death record: $24 per copy requested
• Stillbirth (death): $28 per copy requested
• Fetal death: $21 per copy requested
• Marriage record (Certified Copy of Marriage Record): $17 per copy requested

Applicants may pay for the vital records listed above by check or money order. The CDPH does not accept cash. These fees, however, are standard rates. Fees may vary based on the record type and the issuing county or local recorder's office handling the request. Other fees that may apply include the cost of searching, printing, and certifying records (certified copies require a sworn statement). Some counties may charge extra fees for in-person services. At the same time, credit card processing or expedited options often attract additional costs.

For further information on current fees and proposed charges to statewide fee schedules, applicants may review relevant information on the California Department of Public Health's website. Requesters may also visit the website of a specific county clerk/recorder for up-to-date local charges.

How to Search Vital Records Online in California

Individuals seeking legitimate online search options for finding California vital records may avail themselves of the following resources:

• California Department of Public Health (CDPH) - Vital Records: This portal does not provide a conventional search tool for accessing vital records. Nonetheless, it offers users an easy-to-use platform for ordering birth, death, and marriage certificates using several certified application forms. The CDPH also maintains statewide marriage and divorce indexes/records (e.g., divorce Certificates of Record for 1962 to June 1984) for which interested parties may submit public record requests. 
• California State Archives (Historical Records): Individuals conducting family history research may utilize the California State Archives. This official archival database offers the public access to historical registers, including pre-1905 local birth, death, and marriage records where available. Researchers are expected to contact the Archives to request searches.
• County Recorder/Clerk Online Indexes: In California, most county recorder offices have websites that allow users to search for marriage licenses, verify certificate records, and access birth or death records when available.