Vital records office in California
How to obtain certified copies of birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates from California for immigration filings, USCIS evidence, school enrollment, or any other purpose.
California
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Birth
Event: Birth Cost of copy: $29.00 Address: CA Department of Public Health – Vital Records MS: 5103 P.O. Box 997410 Sacramento, CA 95899-7410 Remarks: The State Office has maintained vital event records since July 1905. For earlier records, contact the County Recorder in the county where the event occurred. A personal check or money order should be made payable to CDPH Vital Records . Please do not send cash. To verify current fees, the telephone number is (916) 445-2684. This will be a recorded message, with an option to talk to a customer service representative. Information on how to obtain certified copies is also available via the California Department of Public Health website . In order to obtain a Certified Copy you MUST complete the sworn statement included with the birth certificate application form, sign the statement under penalty of perjury and, your sworn statement must be notarized. If your request indicates that you want a 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. If you request a Certified Informational Copy of the record, a notarized sworn statement is not required. Please refer to the CDPH website for further information about Informational Copies. Since November 1, 2013, CDPH – Vital Records no longer embosses certified copies of records. Death
Event: Death Cost of copy: $24.00 Address: CA Department of Public Health – Vital Records MS: 5103 P.O. Box 997410 Sacramento, CA 95899-7410 Remarks: The State Office has maintained vital event records since July 1905. For earlier records, contact the County Recorder in the county where the event occurred. A personal check or money order should be made payable to CDPH Vital Records . Please do not send cash. To verify current fees, the telephone number is (916) 445-2684. This is a recorded message, with an option to talk to a customer service representative. Information on how to obtain certified copies is also available via the California Department of Public Health website . In order to obtain a Certified Copy you MUST complete the sworn statement included with the death certificate application form, sign the statement under penalty of perjury, and your sworn statement must be notarized. If your request indicates that you want a 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. If you request a Certified Informational Copy of the record, a notarized sworn statement is not required. Please refer to the CDPH website for further information about Informational Copies. Since November 1, 2013, CDPH – Vital Records no longer embosses certified copies of records. Marriage
Event: Marriage (State) Cost of copy: $17.00 Address:
California vital records office details
- CDC W2W (Where to Write) page: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w/california.htm
Why immigrants need certified vital records
USCIS, courts, schools, and many other US agencies require certified vital records (not photocopies) for:
- I-130 family petition — birth certificate proves family relationship
- I-485 adjustment of status — birth certificate of applicant and beneficiaries
- N-400 naturalization — marriage certificate if applying under spouse-of-USC 3-year rule
- Apostille — for use of US documents in foreign countries (your home country may require US apostille)
- School enrollment — proof of date of birth
- Real ID applications — proof of identity
Apostille and authentication
If you need to use a California vital record OUTSIDE the United States (e.g., for use at your home country’s consulate), you typically need an apostille from the California Secretary of State’s office. See /procedures/apostille-document/ for the process.
Related procedural information
- Consulate of your country in the US — your home country’s transcription/legalization of US records
- Translate documents for USCIS — certified-translation standard
- Apostille (document legalization) — for use abroad
- USCIS Form I-130 — family petition — uses vital records as evidence
- USCIS Form N-400 — naturalization — vital records for marriage-based 3-year rule
Last verified: 2026-05-27. General procedural information — not legal advice. Fees and processing times change; verify with the California office.
Order vital records in California
Birth, death, and marriage certificates are issued by each state. Use your state's official guide:
- California — how to order birth, death & marriage certificates (official CDC guide)
Birth certificate copy: about $29.00 (verify current fee)
Frequently asked questions
Where do I get a US birth certificate from California?
How do I get a marriage certificate from California?
What if my certificate is in Spanish or another language?
Can I order vital records for someone else?
The rules change. Hear about it first.
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General information, not legal advice. MigrantUSA is an independent publisher and is not a law firm; using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship, and this content is not a substitute for advice from a licensed attorney about your specific situation. US federal, state, and local government procedures, fees, and forms change. Always verify current details directly with the relevant agency before acting. For immigration, tax, or other legal matters specific to your situation, consult a licensed attorney or BIA-accredited representative.