The California Health and Safety Code Section 103526 permits only specific individuals to receive an Authorized Certified Copy of a birth record. An Authorized Certified Copy is required to obtain a driver's license, passport, social security card, and other services related to an individual's identity.
Important NOTE: Effective January 1, 2014, due to a California State Mandated Fee Increase, fees for certified copies of a Birth Certificate will be $25.00. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Those who are not authorized may receive an Informational Certified Copy with the words "Informational, not a valid document to establish identity" imprinted across the face of the copy.
Sworn Statement
When ordering in person, an authorized individual must complete an approved application including a sworn statement under penalty of perjury to receive an Authorized Certified Copy. A notarized statement sworn under penalty of perjury must accompany orders sent by mail to ensure that the requester is an authorized person.
Individuals Permitted to Receive an Authorized Certified Copy
The registrant or a parent or legal guardian of the registrant
A party entitled to receive the record as a result of a court order, or an attorney or a licensed adoption agency seeking the birth record in order to comply with the requirements of Section 3140 or 7603 of the Family Code
A member of a law enforcement agency or a representative of another governmental agency, as provided by law, who is conducting official business
A child, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, spouse, or domestic partner of the registrant
An attorney representing the registrant or the registrant's estate, or any person or agency empowered by statute or appointed by a court to act on behalf of the registrant or the registrant's estate
