California Public Health Vital Records 2026: Birth & Death Certificates
California Department of Public Health Vital Records, also searched as CDPH Vital Records, California public health vital records, California birth certificate, California death certificate, and California vital records processing times, is the statewide route for certified copies, amendments, registration support, and official record guidance for births, deaths, fetal deaths, still births, marriages, and divorce certificates in California.
This page is written in simple U.S. English for California residents, seniors, caregivers, parents, estate helpers, funeral arrangers, attorneys, employers, schools, and out-of-state family members. It helps you choose between CDPH-VR, a county recorder, a county health department, a local registrar, an online third-party vendor, or a court route before you mail forms, pay fees, request an authorized copy, or ask for a death certificate.
Quick answer: what California CDPH Vital Records handles in 2026
The California Department of Public Health – Vital Records, often called CDPH-VR, maintains California birth, death, fetal death, still birth, marriage, and divorce records. It issues certified copies and handles registration or amendment tasks allowed by California law. For many recent or county-specific records, the county office where the event happened may be faster than the state mail route.
| What you need | Best first route | Prepare first | Senior-friendly tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| California birth certificate | CDPH birth record page or county office where the birth occurred | Full name, date of birth, county or city, parent details, valid ID, notarized sworn statement if authorized copy | For a recent birth, ask the county first because CDPH may not have the newest record yet. |
| California death certificate | CDPH death record page or county office where the death was registered | Decedent name, date of death, county, relationship, whether authorized copy is needed, notarized sworn statement if required | Ask the bank, insurer, pension office, or attorney exactly which copy it accepts before ordering. |
| Authorized copy vs informational copy | CDPH Authorized Copy vs. Informational Copy page | Eligibility proof, valid ID, notarized sworn statement, record details | If you request an authorized copy without the required notarized sworn statement, CDPH says it can be rejected as incomplete. |
| Processing time check | CDPH Vital Records Processing Times | Order date, order route, county option, record type, amendment status | CDPH average processing for certified copies is 5 to 7 weeks; county offices may be faster. |
| 2026 birth or death certificate fee | CDPH Vital Records Fees page | Check or money order if mailing, correct amount, payable name, no cash | Effective January 1, 2026, CDPH lists birth certified copy at $31 and death certified copy at $26. |
| Online certificate request | CDPH Electronic Submission / third-party vendor page | Copy type, fee, vendor processing fee, ID, upload instructions, mailing address | CDPH-VR does not have its own online portal; listed third-party companies may add processing fees. |
| Divorce decree | Superior Court in the county where the decree was granted | County, case number if known, names, date range | A divorce certificate is not the same thing as a divorce decree. |
Use CDPH-VR for statewide certificate and amendment guidance, but use the county where the event occurred when you need a faster birth or death certificate, a current-year record, an in-person option, or county-specific fees.
California vital records route finder: birth, death, online, mail, county or court?
Use this simple selector before calling CDPH, mailing a form, paying a vendor, or driving to a county office. It is built for common searches like California department of public health vital records, CDPH birth certificate, CDPH death certificate, California vital records phone number, and California birth certificate online.
CDPH Vital Records task router
Select your need. The best next step appears below.
California birth certificate 2026: CDPH birth record, county office and checklist
Use this section if you need a California birth certificate for a passport, REAL ID, school enrollment, Social Security, benefits, employment, genealogy, legal filing, adoption-related matter, name correction, or family record.
State record window
CDPH says it maintains a permanent public record of every birth that occurred in California since July 1905.
In-person copy
CDPH says copies may be obtained in person at the county office where the birth was registered.
Notary may be required
For an authorized copy, review the notarized sworn statement requirement before mailing or ordering.
| Prepare | Why it matters | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Full name on the birth record | Matches the exact California record. | Using a married name instead of the name on the birth record. |
| Date and place of birth | Needed for state or county search. | Not knowing the county where the birth occurred. |
| Parent names | Helps confirm the correct record. | Leaving parent details blank when they are needed. |
| Authorized or informational copy | Determines whether notarized sworn statement is required. | Ordering informational copy when passport or legal use needs authorized copy. |
| Payment method | CDPH mail requests use check or money order payable to CDPH Vital Records. | Sending cash by mail or using an old fee. |
Start with CDPH birth certificate instructions
Use the official CDPH page to choose mail, in-person county, or electronic request options. If the birth occurred in Los Angeles County, San Diego County, Orange County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County, Alameda County, Sacramento County, Santa Clara County, Fresno County, or any other California county, the county of birth matters.
Use county office if the birth is recent or speed matters
For current-year events or one year prior, CDPH’s county directory explains that birth and death records are available from the local registrar in the jurisdiction where the event occurred. County recorders can provide birth and death records for all years in the county where the event occurred.
If you are ordering for a passport, REAL ID, immigration file, school, court, Social Security, or benefits office, ask that agency whether it requires an authorized certified copy before you order. An informational copy may not work for identity or legal use.
California death certificate 2026: CDPH death record, county office, estate and insurance checklist
Use this section if you need a California death certificate for probate, bank accounts, life insurance, pension, Social Security, veterans benefits, funeral matters, real estate, family records, or an estate attorney.
Usually for official use
Banks, insurers, courts, pension offices, and government benefits may require a certified copy. Ask the receiving agency before ordering.
Often faster
CDPH says death copies may be obtained in person at the county office where the death was registered.
| Prepare | Why it matters | Senior/caregiver tip |
|---|---|---|
| Full legal name of the person who died | Needed to search the correct death record. | Include middle name, suffix, or prior name if known. |
| Date of death | Needed for state or county search. | Use the exact date from funeral or hospital paperwork if available. |
| County where death occurred | Determines the county office route. | The county of death may differ from the county of residence. |
| Authorized or informational copy choice | Determines sworn statement and legal-use suitability. | Ask each receiving office what it accepts before paying. |
| Number of copies | Estate tasks may need multiple certified copies. | Ask the attorney or estate helper before ordering too many. |
Open the CDPH death record page first
The death record page gives the official CDPH routes for mail, county in-person service, and electronic request. If the death was recent, check the county registrar or county recorder before mailing to Sacramento.
Ask the receiving agency what type of copy it needs
For a bank, insurance company, pension office, court, probate attorney, property transfer, or Social Security-related task, ask exactly what type of death certificate is acceptable. Do this before you order because CDPH says accepted orders are not canceled or refunded.
Create a simple list of every office that needs proof of death: bank, insurer, pension, mortgage company, county recorder, court, veterans office, and tax preparer. Ask each one whether it needs a certified copy or if a copy is acceptable.
Authorized copy vs informational copy in California: the mistake that causes rejections
Many California vital records problems happen because users choose the wrong copy type. CDPH says an authorized copy of a birth, death, or marriage certificate requires a notarized sworn statement and perjury statement. If the request is missing the notarized sworn statement, it can be rejected as incomplete and returned without processing.
Use for identity or legal needs
Usually needed for passports, legal identity, estate work, insurance, court, government benefits, and official transactions. Eligibility rules apply.
Use for non-legal reference
May be useful for research or family information, but may not establish identity or satisfy official agency requirements.
| Who may qualify for authorized copy | Common example | Extra proof may be needed |
|---|---|---|
| Registrant or close family relationship | Person named on certificate, parent, child, grandparent, sibling, spouse, domestic partner | Relationship or ID proof may be needed. |
| Court order route | Person entitled by court order | Include the court order copy if required. |
| Government or law enforcement route | Official business by authorized agency | Government authorization may be needed. |
| Estate or legal representative | Executor, power of attorney, attorney, licensed adoption agency | Documentation showing authority may be required. |
| Funeral establishment route | Funeral establishment agent or employee acting within authorized scope | Must act for authorized persons under the relevant rule. |
California vital records fees 2026: birth, death, marriage, divorce and amendments
CDPH Vital Records fees changed effective January 1, 2026. Always check the official fee page before mailing a check, using a third-party vendor, or comparing state and county fees. County fees may differ when you use a county office.
| Record type | CDPH new fee effective January 1, 2026 | Important note |
|---|---|---|
| Birth certified copy | $31 | Use current fee if mailing to CDPH-VR. County fee may be different. |
| Death certified copy | $26 | Ask whether authorized or informational copy is acceptable before ordering. |
| Marriage certified copy | $19 | Public marriage records are generally available from the county recorder where the license was issued. |
| Dissolution of marriage certificate | $18 | This is not the same as a divorce decree from Superior Court. |
| Fetal death certified copy | $23 | Check release rules and correct form first. |
| Still birth certified copy | $28 | CDPH states this fee remains $28. |
| Amendment fee | $26 in many amendment routes | CDPH says amendment fee remains $26 and includes one certified copy of the newly amended record when applicable. |
CDPH says requests received without the appropriate fee will be returned, checks and money orders should be payable to CDPH Vital Records, and users should not send cash by mail.
California vital records processing times: CDPH vs county office
CDPH-VR says its average time to process a certified copy request is 5 to 7 weeks. For amendments, CDPH lists longer average timelines. Because of the large volume of CDPH-VR requests, CDPH says users can often obtain a certificate more quickly from the county office.
Average CDPH time
CDPH lists 5 to 7 weeks as the average time to process a certified copy request.
Longer timeline
CDPH lists 9 to 11 weeks for average amendment processing, with incomplete requests taking longer.
Often faster
CDPH says county offices may provide faster processing than CDPH-VR.
Use processing time only after you know the correct route
Processing time depends on whether you order by mail, electronic third-party route, county office, or amendment route. A missing notarized sworn statement, wrong fee, wrong copy type, or incomplete form can add weeks.
For a birth or death that happened in a known California county, check that county recorder or local registrar before mailing to CDPH. County processing, public counter rules, fees, and appointment options vary, but county service may be faster.
California birth certificate online and death certificate online: what CDPH says about electronic requests
People often search “California birth certificate online,” “California death certificate online,” “CDPH online birth certificate,” or “California vital records online.” CDPH says CDPH-VR does not have its own online portal to receive electronic requests. Instead, independent third-party companies listed by CDPH may electronically transmit applications to CDPH-VR or a county office for fulfillment.
Know that third-party processing fees are extra
CDPH says each independent third-party company may charge a varying processing fee in addition to the CDPH-VR certified copy fee. Questions about online orders should go to the third-party company involved.
Do not assume “rush fee” means CDPH will be faster
CDPH says it does not cancel online orders once accepted for processing and does not have an expediting service. A vendor processing fee does not mean CDPH processing itself becomes faster.
Do not type Social Security numbers, ID images, birth details, death details, card numbers, or sworn-statement information into a random website. Start from the CDPH electronic request page, then decide whether a listed third-party vendor is right for your situation.
Mail a California vital records request to CDPH-VR: address, forms and rejection checklist
CDPH Vital Records accepts mail requests, but mail requests are easy to delay if the form, fee, notarized sworn statement, or mailing address is wrong. Use current CDPH forms, not an old PDF from another site.
| Mail item | Check before sending |
|---|---|
| Correct application form | Birth uses VS 111; death uses VS 112; marriage, divorce and amendments use different forms. |
| Notarized sworn statement | Required for authorized birth, death, or marriage copy requests. |
| Correct 2026 fee | Use the current fee page. Fees are retained as a search fee if the record cannot be located. |
| Payment payable to CDPH Vital Records | Use check or money order drawn on a U.S. bank. Do not send cash. |
| Full return mailing address | Include a clean and complete address for delivery and any return communication. |
| Correct CDPH mailing address | California Department of Public Health, Vital Records – MS 5103, P.O. Box 997410, Sacramento, CA 95899-7410. |
CDPH Vital Records says it does not currently have a public counter. Do not plan a Sacramento walk-in visit for CDPH-VR certificate pickup unless the official page later says a public counter is available.
County registrar, local registrar or county recorder: when California county offices are better
For California birth and death certificates, county routing is very important. CDPH’s county directory says local registrars handle current-year events and one year prior in the jurisdiction where the event occurred, and county recorders handle birth and death records for all years in the county where the event occurred.
Local registrar
Use when the event is current year or one year prior and the local registrar has the record.
County recorder
County recorders provide birth and death records for all years in the county where the event occurred.
County recorder
Public marriage records are available from the county recorder where the license was issued.
County clerk
Confidential marriage records are available only through the county clerk where the license was issued.
Los Angeles County, San Diego County, Orange County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County, Santa Clara County, Alameda County, Sacramento County, Contra Costa County, Fresno County, Kern County, Ventura County, San Francisco County, and every other California county may have different counter rules, appointment systems, fees, delivery times, and ID instructions.
California birth or death certificate correction, amendment and name change route
Use this section if the certificate has a spelling error, wrong date, wrong place, wrong parent information, court-ordered name change, parentage change, gender marker update, delayed registration, or death record correction.
| Correction need | Likely CDPH route | What to prepare |
|---|---|---|
| Birth spelling, sex field, date, time, or place correction | Amending a California Birth Record page | Correct form, supporting documents, ID, court order if needed, fee if applicable |
| Parent name or parentage update | Birth amendment or parentage amendment route | Parentage documents, court order if applicable, current certificate details |
| Gender identity update | Birth amendment route | Correct CDPH form and any required documentation under current instructions |
| Death record correction | Affidavit to amend death record route | Decedent details, correction details, evidence, applicant information, fee if applicable |
| Incomplete amendment package | CDPH may issue a letter requesting missing items | Use the official checklist before mailing to avoid a long delay |
Use the correct amendment page before mailing
Amendments often take longer than ordinary certified copy requests. CDPH lists average amendment processing of 9 to 11 weeks, and incomplete requests can take longer because CDPH must request missing documentation.
Do not order a new certified copy before the correction is actually in the CDPH database. CDPH warns that if the record is requested before the amendment is available, a Certificate of No Public Record may be issued and the fee may be retained as allowed by law.
California marriage certificate and divorce certificate: CDPH, county recorder, county clerk or court?
Although this article focuses on birth and death certificates, many users searching California public health vital records also need marriage or divorce records. The correct office depends on whether the record is public marriage, confidential marriage, dissolution certificate, or divorce decree.
Public vs confidential matters
Public marriage records are available from the county recorder where the license was issued. Confidential marriage records are available only through the county clerk where the license was issued.
Open marriage recordsCertificate is not a decree
CDPH’s county directory says certified copies of divorce decrees are available only from the Superior Court in the county where the decree was granted.
Find courtIf an employer, immigration attorney, court, passport office, or foreign government asks for a “divorce decree,” do not order a dissolution certificate until you confirm it will be accepted.
CDPH Vital Records phone, mail and customer service hours
For California vital records phone number searches, use the official contact page before calling. Have your record type, county, order route, payment date, mailing date, and application name ready.
| Contact item | Official detail | Use when |
|---|---|---|
| Customer service phone | (916) 445-2684 | General CDPH-VR questions, order route help, amendment prompts, fee or form routing. |
| Customer service hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Pacific Time | Call during business hours and avoid sending private documents by email unless official page instructs. |
| Mailing address | California Department of Public Health, Vital Records – MS 5103, P.O. Box 997410, Sacramento, CA 95899-7410 | Mail CDPH-VR applications, fees, sworn statements, and amendment packages when instructed. |
| Public counter | CDPH says no current public counter | Use mail, county office, or electronic request route instead of planning a Sacramento walk-in. |
| General CDPH information | (916) 558-1784 | Use for broad CDPH questions that are not specifically vital-records customer service. |
Say: “I need help with a California [birth/death/marriage/divorce/amendment] record. The event occurred in [county]. I need [authorized/informational/unsure] copy. Should I use CDPH-VR, the county recorder, the local registrar, an online vendor, or the court?”
CDPH Vital Records mailing location and Sacramento map note
CDPH Vital Records uses a Sacramento P.O. Box mailing address for mail requests. CDPH Vital Records does not currently have a public counter, so the map below is only a Sacramento orientation map and not a walk-in certificate pickup instruction.
Use the county office directory or CDPH mail/electronic request instructions. Driving to a Sacramento office is not the correct answer for most California birth certificate or death certificate requests.
Official CDPH video: California Department of Public Health overview
This is an official CDPH overview video. It is not a step-by-step vital records ordering tutorial, so use the written CDPH Vital Records links above for forms, fees, processing times, authorized copy rules, and county routing.
Official California vital records links used in this guide
Use these official pages for final forms, fees, eligibility, processing times, county routing, authorized copy rules, and current instructions. This independent guide does not collect documents, process certificates, notarize statements, accept payments, or replace CDPH-VR.
People also search for: California Department of Public Health Vital Records Google and Bing intent guide
These common Google Suggest and Bing deep-dive searches are included naturally so users can quickly match search intent to the correct official route.
California department of public health vital records
Use the CDPH Vital Records overview for birth, death, marriage, divorce, fetal death, still birth and amendments.
Official linksCDPH birth certificate
Use the birth record page, then choose mail, county office, or electronic request route.
Birth guideCDPH death certificate
Use the death record page and ask the receiving agency what copy type it needs.
Death guideCalifornia vital records phone number
CDPH Vital Records lists (916) 445-2684 for customer service, Monday through Friday.
Phone guideCalifornia birth certificate online
CDPH-VR does not have its own online portal; use CDPH’s electronic request page to review listed vendor options.
Online guideCalifornia vital records processing times
CDPH lists average certified copy processing of 5 to 7 weeks, and county offices may be faster.
Timing guideAuthorized copy vs informational copy California
Use CDPH copy-type rules before ordering for passport, legal identity, estate, or insurance use.
Copy typeCounty recorder birth certificate California
Use the CDPH county directory to find the county where the event occurred.
County guidePrivacy, payment and independent guide notice
HealthDepartmentGuide.org is an independent guide. It is not the official California Department of Public Health, not CDPH-VR, not CA.gov, not a county recorder, not a local registrar, not a court, and not a third-party certificate vendor.
Do not send birth details, death records, ID scans, notarized statements, checks, money orders, Social Security numbers, card numbers, medical details, court orders, adoption documents, or amendment evidence to an independent guide page. Use only official CDPH, county, court, or listed secure vendor routes for final submission.
Fees, forms, processing times, county rules, counter hours, appointment systems, copy-type requirements, and vendor options can change. Confirm final details on the official CDPH or county page before ordering.
California Public Health Vital Records FAQs
What does California Department of Public Health Vital Records handle?
CDPH Vital Records maintains California birth, death, fetal death, still birth, marriage, and divorce records. CDPH-VR issues certified copies and handles certain registration and amendment tasks authorized by California law.
What is the CDPH Vital Records phone number?
The CDPH Vital Records contact page lists customer service at (916) 445-2684, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Pacific Time. General CDPH public information is listed separately as (916) 558-1784.
Does CDPH Vital Records have a public counter?
CDPH Vital Records says it does not currently have a public counter. Use the mail route, the county office where the event occurred, or the CDPH electronic request guidance instead of planning a Sacramento walk-in certificate pickup.
How much is a California birth certificate in 2026?
CDPH lists the new birth certified copy fee as $31 effective January 1, 2026. County office fees may differ, so check the official CDPH fee page and the county office before paying.
How much is a California death certificate in 2026?
CDPH lists the new death certified copy fee as $26 effective January 1, 2026. If you order through a county office or third-party electronic vendor, additional or different fees may apply.
How long does CDPH take to process a certified copy request?
CDPH-VR lists 5 to 7 weeks as the average processing time for certified copy requests. CDPH also says county offices may provide faster processing than CDPH-VR.
Can I order a California birth or death certificate online?
CDPH says CDPH-VR does not have its own online portal for electronic requests. CDPH lists independent third-party companies that may electronically transmit applications to CDPH-VR or a county vital records office. Vendor processing fees may be added.
What is the difference between an authorized copy and an informational copy?
An authorized copy is for eligible requesters and is commonly needed for legal, identity, estate, insurance, passport, or official use. CDPH says authorized copies of birth, death, or marriage records require a notarized sworn statement. An informational copy may not be valid for identity or official purposes.
Should I order from CDPH or the county office?
Use CDPH for statewide guidance, mail requests, and many amendment routes. Use the county where the event occurred when you need faster processing, a recent birth or death, local counter service, or county-specific records. Check county fees and office rules first.
Where do I mail a CDPH Vital Records request?
CDPH lists the mailing address as California Department of Public Health, Vital Records – MS 5103, P.O. Box 997410, Sacramento, CA 95899-7410. Use current CDPH forms, correct 2026 fee, and notarized sworn statement when required.
Can CDPH give me a divorce decree?
No. CDPH’s county directory says certified copies of divorce decrees are available only from the Superior Court in the county where the decree was granted. A dissolution certificate is not always the same as a divorce decree.
Is HealthDepartmentGuide.org the official CDPH website?
No. HealthDepartmentGuide.org is an independent guide that helps users find the right official route. It does not process certificates, collect payment, issue copies, notarize sworn statements, correct records, or replace CDPH, CA.gov, county recorder, local registrar, court, or vendor instructions.