Birth Certificate

A Los Angeles County CA birth certificate can be requested through the county office that records and maintains local birth records, but the correct request method depends on the age of the record, how quickly the copy is needed, the applicant’s relationship to the person named on the record, and whether the copy will be used for identification or another legal purpose. This article explains the available copy types, eligibility rules, online, in-person, and mail procedures, payment requirements, processing periods, office responsibilities, and common problems that can delay a request.

Birth Records Maintained by the County

The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk, commonly identified as the RR/CC, records and maintains birth records for births that occurred within Los Angeles County. The office maintains county birth records dating back to 1866.

The location of the birth matters. A person born in another California county generally must request the record from the county where the birth occurred or from the appropriate state office. The RR/CC also provides an official directory for births outside Los Angeles County, including other California counties, U.S. states, territories, and certain jurisdictions.

Applicants should confirm the county of birth before submitting payment. A birth in the City of Los Angeles is generally a Los Angeles County birth, but a similar city name, hospital name, or mailing address does not always establish that the event was recorded by Los Angeles County. Sending a request to the wrong county can result in a no-record response and loss of a nonrefundable fee.

Certified Birth Certificate Types

Los Angeles County offers authorized certified copies and informational certified copies. Both are certified copies of a recorded birth record, but they are not interchangeable. The intended use of the certificate should determine which version is requested.

Authorized Certified Copies

An authorized certified copy may be used for legal and identity-related purposes. The county states that this type of copy may be required when applying for a driver’s license, passport, Social Security card, or another service involving proof of identity.

Only certain people and organizations may receive an authorized certified copy. Eligible requesters include:

The person named on the birth record.

A parent or legal guardian of the registrant.

A child, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, spouse, or domestic partner of the registrant.

A person entitled to receive the record under a court order.

An attorney or licensed adoption agency seeking the record to meet applicable Family Code requirements.

A law enforcement officer or representative of another government agency conducting official business as provided by law.

An attorney representing the registrant or the registrant’s estate.

A person or agency authorized by statute or appointed by a court to act for the registrant or the registrant’s estate.

Applicants who are uncertain about eligibility should review the county’s official authorized-copy eligibility requirements before ordering. Choosing an authorized copy without completing the required identity declaration can delay the order.

Informational Certified Copies

An informational certified copy is available to people who are not authorized to receive an authorized copy or who do not wish to submit a notarized Certificate of Identity. The document is imprinted with the statement “INFORMATIONAL, NOT A VALID DOCUMENT TO ESTABLISH IDENTITY.”

This copy is generally used for nonlegal purposes, such as personal research or ancestry. It cannot serve as a valid identity document. Someone ordering a certificate for a passport, driver’s license, Social Security matter, or another legal purpose should not select an informational copy merely to avoid the notarization requirement.

Which Office Handles the Record?

The RR/CC is not always the first office to contact after a child is born. Newly registered births may initially be available through the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health before they become available through the RR/CC.

Recently Registered Births

A hospital reports birth information to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. A certified copy is not automatically mailed to the parents after registration. A separate application and fee are required to obtain a copy.

Most birth certificates are available from the Department of Public Health about 10 days after birth registration. The RR/CC indicates that the certificate becomes available through its office after approximately two months. A family needing a recently registered certificate before that point should work with the Department of Public Health rather than submitting an early request to the RR/CC.

Births at Home

A child born at home must first be registered with the local health department. The Department of Public Health Vital Records Office handles this registration process. Registration should be completed as soon as possible. Requesting a certified copy before the home birth has been registered will not create the underlying birth record.

Older County Records

The RR/CC maintains historical Los Angeles County birth records and provides different delivery procedures based on the year of birth. Copies for some modern records may be issued during an in-person visit, while older records and certain date ranges are mailed after the request is processed.

Online Birth Certificate Requests

The county’s online birth certificate request page directs applicants to the authorized online processing service used by the RR/CC. Applicants must complete all requested information on the online form and pay the required copy fee and handling charge.

The county identifies its online processor as the only authorized third-party vendor with which the RR/CC does business for online birth record orders. Applicants should begin through the official county page rather than choosing an unrelated certificate-ordering website.

Online Identity Verification

A notarized Certificate of Identity may be requested to complete an online order for an authorized certified copy. The form establishes that the requester is legally entitled to receive the certificate.

A person living outside California can still complete the notarization. The county instructs the notary to strike out “California” on the Certificate of Identity and enter the state where the form is notarized. The RR/CC accepts the form with that change.

An applicant who does not qualify for an authorized copy or does not want to provide the notarized form may request an informational certified copy instead. That choice should be made only when the certificate is not needed to establish identity or complete another legal transaction.

Online Processing and Payment

The authorized certified birth record copy fee is $34. Online payments may be made with MasterCard, Visa, American Express, or Discover. A separate handling fee applies to credit card orders in addition to the certificate fee.

Online orders are processed within 20 business days from the date the request is received. This period is a processing period rather than a guaranteed delivery date. Applicants should also allow time for document submission, identity review, and mailing.

The fee is nonrefundable. If the county searches the information provided and does not locate a matching record, it issues a No Record Statement. Applicants should therefore review the registrant’s name and approximate birth date before completing payment.

In-Person Birth Record Requests

An in-person request may be useful when the applicant has acceptable identification, can visit an RR/CC office, and wants a copy that may be available during the visit. The county provides an official in-person birth record application process with appointment information.

Appointments and Walk-In Service

Appointments may be scheduled up to three weeks in advance. Only one appointment per day is allowed, and appointments are nontransferable. After completing the application, the requester should save the confirmation number because it is needed to schedule the appointment.

The appointment process also requires completion of the applicable waiver. A valid photo ID must be brought to the office.

The county’s birth records guidance also states that walk-in service is available at branch offices. Service availability and record issuance can depend on the location and year of the birth. Applicants should review the official RR/CC branch office locations and services before traveling.

In-Person Delivery Periods

The way a certificate is delivered depends on the year of birth and copy type:

Birth records from 1962 to the present, except records from 1972 through 1977, may be provided at the scheduled appointment.

Birth records from 1972 through 1977 are mailed within 20 business days.

Birth records from 1866 through 1961 are mailed within 20 business days.

All informational certified copies are mailed within 20 business days.

Branch office descriptions indicate that participating locations can issue birth copies from 1962 to the present on the same day, except for the 1972 through 1977 period. Applicants requesting older records should not expect immediate counter service.

Accepted In-Person Payments

The fee for an authorized certified copy is $34. The first-copy fee for each record is nonrefundable. Accepted in-person payment methods include:

Cash.
Check payable to the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk.
Money order payable to the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk.
American Express, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa.
Apple Pay and Samsung Pay.

Valid identification for the person signing a check is required at the time of purchase. Debit and credit card payments, Apple Pay, and Samsung Pay are subject to a $1.75 service fee and a maximum payment limit of $15,000.

The office does not accept e-checks, temporary checks, or foreign checks, except checks from Canada and Mexico.

Birth Certificate Requests by Mail

A mail request allows the applicant to submit the required application, identity form, and payment without visiting an office. The county’s birth record mail request instructions should be reviewed before the documents are signed or notarized.

Required Mail Documents

To request an authorized certified copy by mail, the applicant must:

Complete the Application for Birth Record and Certificate of Identity form.
Sign the application.
Sign the Certificate of Identity.
Have the Certificate of Identity notarized.
Include the notarized Certificate of Identity with the application.
Include an accepted form of payment.

An unsigned or unnotarized Certificate of Identity can delay the request. Applicants outside California should instruct the notary to replace “California” on the form with the state where the notarization occurs.

An applicant requesting an informational certified copy does not need to establish eligibility for an authorized copy. The informational certificate will be clearly marked and cannot be used for legal purposes.

Mail Payment Restrictions

The authorized certified copy fee is $34. Checks and money orders must be payable to the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk.

Applicants should not mail cash. The office does not accept e-checks, temporary checks, or foreign checks other than checks from Canada and Mexico. If an unacceptable check is submitted, the request will be rejected and returned so the applicant can provide another payment method.

Mail requests must be sent to the Birth, Death and Marriage Records Section at the Norwalk mailing address. Mail should not be sent to an RR/CC district or branch office. The county specifically directs all record-request mail to its headquarters mailing sections.

The record is mailed within 20 business days from the date the request is received. Birth certificate requests cannot be completed by telephone.

Information to Prepare

Accurate identifying information allows the office to search for the correct record. At a minimum, applicants should be prepared to provide the name on the birth record and the approximate date of birth. The request form may require additional information relevant to the record, the requester, eligibility, delivery, and payment.

An authorized-copy applicant should also be ready to identify the relationship or legal authority that permits access to the record. A requester relying on a court order, statutory authority, government duties, estate representation, or adoption-related authority should follow the requirements applicable to that category.

For an appointment, the applicant should retain the confirmation number generated after the application is submitted and bring a valid photo ID. For a mail or online authorized-copy request, the applicant should be prepared to complete the Certificate of Identity and obtain notarization when required.

Names and dates should be reviewed before submission. A small spelling difference, use of a later name instead of the name recorded at birth, or an incorrect year can prevent staff from locating the intended record.

Fees, Refunds, and No-Record Results

The fee for an authorized certified Los Angeles County birth record copy is $34. The first-copy fee for each searched record is nonrefundable. An online handling fee or an in-person electronic-payment service fee may apply depending on the ordering method.

If the office cannot locate the record based on the submitted information, it issues a No Record Statement. The statement documents the result of the search, but the certificate fee is not refunded.

This policy makes it especially important to confirm that the birth occurred in Los Angeles County and that the name and approximate date match the original record. A person whose searches repeatedly produce no record should contact the California Department of Public Health for assistance rather than repeatedly submitting the same county request and fee.

Newborn Certificate Requests

A newborn’s birth certificate is not automatically sent after delivery. The hospital reports the birth information to the Department of Public Health, which registers the event. A parent or other eligible person must then submit an application and pay the required fee to receive a certified copy.

Most registered birth certificates become available through the Department of Public Health after about 10 days. The RR/CC generally receives access to the certificate after two months. Families with an immediate documentation need should account for this difference between the two offices.

The RR/CC does not offer expedited birth certificate service. Submitting multiple applications or paying through an unauthorized service does not create an official rush option.

Adoptions and Record Changes

Birth records involving an adoption, amendment, or legal name change may require additional attention. The county’s adoption and name-change record guidance states that these records may be ordered from the California Department of Public Health as well as the RR/CC.

When requesting the birth record of a child who has been adopted, the applicant should mark the “ADOPTED” box on the application. Failing to identify the adoption can interfere with the search for the correct record.

The California Department of Public Health handles amendments to birth records, including requests to correct an error. It also assists with adding a parent to a birth certificate. Ordering another certified copy from the RR/CC does not amend the information recorded on the certificate.

Abstracts and Long-Form Copies

The RR/CC no longer issues birth abstracts and cannot replace an old abstract. If an agency such as the Department of Motor Vehicles will not accept an abstract, the person must order an authorized certified copy of the birth certificate. The standard certificate fee applies.

A person seeking a “long-form” birth certificate should use one of the county’s three certified-copy methods: online, in person, or by mail. The requester should select an authorized certified copy when the document will be used for legal or identity-related purposes.

Apostille Preparation

A certificate issued by the RR/CC may be submitted to the California Secretary of State for an apostille. The RR/CC provides the certified birth record, while the Secretary of State handles the apostille process.

Applicants should distinguish between obtaining the certificate and obtaining the apostille. A request for a county birth certificate does not automatically include state authentication.

Viewing Birth Records

Viewing a vital record is different from ordering a certified copy. The RR/CC allows certain birth certificates and indexes that are not exempt from public inspection to be examined at the Norwalk headquarters by appointment.

The county’s vital record inspection information states that birth indexes are available for births before 1905 and from 1964 to the present. Certificates and indexes may generally be examined without charge unless an employee is asked to search for or retrieve more than five records.

Random searches of certificates or indexes are not permitted. An application is required for each record searched, and the requester must provide enough information to identify the record. Identification is also required. Appointments may be scheduled up to three weeks in advance.

Inspecting an index does not provide an authorized certified copy for identity or legal use. A separate certified-copy request and fee are required when an official certificate is needed.

Common Request Mistakes

Choosing the Wrong Copy

An informational copy cannot establish identity. Applicants who need the certificate for a driver’s license, passport, Social Security card, or another legal process should request an authorized certified copy and complete the required identity documentation.

Missing Notarization

A mail request for an authorized copy requires a notarized Certificate of Identity. Online applicants may also be asked to submit the notarized form. Signing the form without having it notarized does not meet the requirement.

Using an Unaccepted Payment

E-checks and temporary checks are not accepted for mail or in-person requests. Most foreign checks are also rejected. Cash should never be placed in a mailed application.

Mailing a Branch Office

District and branch offices should not receive mailed birth certificate applications. All mail for birth, death, and marriage records must go to the designated Norwalk records mailing section.

Expecting Immediate Older Records

Records from 1866 through 1961, records from 1972 through 1977, and informational certified copies are mailed within 20 business days. They are not issued immediately at an appointment.

Forgetting Appointment Details

An applicant using the appointment system should save the application confirmation number, complete the required waiver, and bring valid photo identification. Appointments cannot be transferred to another person.

Requesting an Unregistered Birth

A birth must be registered before a certificate can be issued. This is particularly relevant for a recent hospital birth or a home birth. The Department of Public Health handles the initial registration process.

Relying on Telephone Ordering

The RR/CC does not accept birth certificate orders by telephone. Requests must be made online, in person, or by mail.

Assuming Rush Service Exists

The RR/CC does not offer expedited birth certificate service. Applicants facing a deadline should identify the correct record office, choose the appropriate request method, and allow for the applicable processing and mailing period.

Relevant Birth Record Offices

Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk
12400 Imperial Highway, Norwalk, CA 90650
(800) 201-8999

Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Vital Records Office
313 North Figueroa Street, Room Lobby-1, Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 288-7812

California Department of Public Health, Office of Vital Records
MS 5103, P.O. Box 997410, Sacramento, CA 95899-7410
(916) 445-2684

Birth Certificate FAQs

Can I request a birth record at any county branch?

No. Services vary by location, and not every Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk office processes birth record requests. Some participating branches accept applications and may issue qualifying records from 1962 to the present on the same day, except records dated from 1972 through 1977. Other locations provide only selected clerk or election services. Check the official branch office locations and available services before visiting.

What is required when subpoenaing a birth record?

A subpoena request must identify the person named on the record and provide an approximate date of birth. Requests requiring a signed declaration from the custodian of records must be delivered or mailed to the designated RR/CC Executive Office and include the full required payment. Separate checks should be included when multiple fees apply. Subpoenas are not accepted by email or fax. The county’s birth record subpoena instructions explain the filing and payment requirements.

Can an RR/CC subpoena cover another county department?

No. The Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk accepts service only for matters involving records maintained by that office. It does not accept subpoenas for another Los Angeles County department or for private employee matters. Sending the request to the wrong office can delay processing, particularly when a custodian declaration is required.

Are public agencies exempt from birth record copy fees?

No. Government agencies and law enforcement personnel may qualify to receive an authorized certified copy while conducting official business, but they are not automatically exempt from the fee charged for producing a copy of the record.

Where should I request an out-of-county birth record?

Los Angeles County cannot issue a certificate for a birth recorded elsewhere. Use the official out-of-county birth records directory to locate the appropriate California county, U.S. state, territory, or other listed jurisdiction.