Birth Certificate

Obtaining a Los Angeles County CA Birth Certificate is usually straightforward once you know which type of copy you need, who is permitted to request it, and whether online, mail, or in-person service best fits your situation. This guide explains eligibility rules, fees, identification requirements, processing times, newly registered births, older records, home births, corrected records, adopted records, and common problems that may delay a request.

Start With the Correct Los Angeles County Birth Record Office

The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk records and maintains birth records for births that occurred within Los Angeles County. Its birth record collection dates back to 1866, although the availability and delivery method for a particular certificate may depend on the year of birth.

Before submitting an application, confirm that the person was born in Los Angeles County. The county office cannot issue a certificate for a birth that took place in another California county, another state, or another country. Requests sent to the wrong jurisdiction may be rejected or redirected, which can significantly delay plans involving a passport, driver’s license, Social Security record, school enrollment, employment verification, or another identity-related matter.

If the birth took place in Los Angeles County, applicants may generally choose among three request methods:

Order a certified birth certificate online.
Apply in person at a participating county office.
Mail a completed application and payment to the county.

The right method depends on how quickly the record is needed, the year of birth, whether the applicant can appear at an office, and whether notarization is required.

Choose Between an Authorized and Informational Certified Copy

One of the most important decisions is whether to request an authorized certified copy or an informational certified copy. Both are certified copies of a government birth record, but they are not interchangeable.

Use an Authorized Certified Birth Certificate for Legal Purposes

An authorized certified copy may be used to establish identity. It is commonly requested for official transactions such as:

Applying for a driver’s license or state identification card.
Applying for a United States passport.
Obtaining or correcting a Social Security card.
Completing certain employment or immigration procedures.
Enrolling in school or verifying age.
Handling legal, estate, insurance, or government matters.

California law limits who may receive an authorized certified birth record. The county provides a detailed description of who can obtain an authorized birth certificate copy.

Eligible requesters generally include:

The person named on the birth certificate.

A parent or legal guardian of the person named on the record.

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 acting under applicable law.

A law enforcement officer or government representative conducting official business as permitted 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 estate.

Applicants requesting an authorized copy must usually complete a Certificate of Identity. For online or mail requests, that certificate may need to be notarized. Leaving it unsigned, incomplete, or improperly notarized can delay processing or cause the order to be handled as an informational-copy request.

Request an Informational Copy When Identity Use Is Not Required

An informational certified copy is available to people who are not legally authorized to receive an authorized copy or who do not want to complete the notarized Certificate of Identity. This type of copy is often used for ancestry research, family history, personal records, or other non-legal purposes.

The document is marked with language stating that it is informational and is not a valid document for establishing identity. Because of that marking, it should not be ordered for a passport, driver’s license, Social Security card, or another transaction that requires legal proof of identity.

Confirm the Receiving Agency’s Requirements Before Ordering

When another organization asks for a birth certificate, ask whether it requires an authorized certified copy. Terms such as “certified copy,” “official copy,” and “long-form certificate” can be used differently by different agencies. Confirming the requirement before paying can prevent the inconvenience of receiving an informational copy that the agency will not accept.

Order a Los Angeles County Birth Certificate Online

Online ordering is convenient for applicants who cannot travel to a county office or who prefer to submit payment electronically. The county’s Los Angeles County birth certificate online request page explains the authorized ordering process.

The Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk uses an authorized vendor to process online requests. Applicants should begin from the county’s official page rather than relying on advertisements, search-result listings, or unrelated record-ordering websites.

Prepare Accurate Birth Information Before Starting

Gather the information needed to identify the record before opening the application. Depending on the form, applicants may need to provide:

The full name shown on the birth record.
The date of birth.
The city or location of birth.
The names of the parents as recorded at the time of birth.
The applicant’s relationship to the registrant.
The applicant’s mailing and contact information.
The reason the certified copy is being requested.

Names should be entered as they appeared when the birth was registered. A later married name, adopted name, corrected spelling, or legal name change may not match the original index. Applicants who know that a record was amended or changed should follow the instructions for amended and adopted records.

Complete the Certificate of Identity When Requested

An online applicant seeking an authorized certified copy may be required to submit a notarized Certificate of Identity. The notary confirms the identity and signature of the person requesting the record; the notary does not certify the truth of the birth information.

Applicants who live outside California may have the form notarized in another state. According to the county instructions, the notary may strike the word “California” from the Certificate of Identity and enter the state in which the notarization occurred.

Follow the upload or submission instructions provided with the online order. A clear, complete document is important. Missing pages, unreadable images, unsigned forms, or incomplete notarization can hold the request until corrected.

Review Online Fees Before Submitting Payment

The county reference information lists the authorized certified birth record fee as $34 per copy. Online credit card orders also include a handling fee charged through the online ordering process. Accepted cards include major card brands identified on the official request page.

The copy fee is nonrefundable. If the county cannot locate the requested record, it may issue a “No Record Statement” instead of a certificate. For that reason, applicants should double-check the name, birth date, birthplace, and parent information before placing an order.

Allow Time for Online Processing and Delivery

Online orders are processed within 20 business days from the date the request is received, according to the county’s stated processing schedule. Business days generally do not include weekends or government holidays. Mailing or delivery time is separate from the processing period.

Applicants working toward a deadline should order early. There is no general expedited birth certificate service listed by the county. A pending travel date, application deadline, or appointment does not necessarily shorten the processing period.

Request a Certified Birth Record in Person

In-person service can be useful when the applicant wants staff assistance, needs to pay by a method not available by mail, or may qualify for a same-day copy based on the year of birth. The county’s in-person birth record request instructions describe the application and appointment process.

Complete the Application Before Booking an Appointment

The county instructs applicants to complete the birth record request application and save the confirmation number. That number is needed to schedule an appointment. Appointments may be scheduled up to three weeks in advance, are limited to one per day, and cannot be transferred to another person.

The applicant should complete any required waiver and bring a valid photo identification document. The identification should belong to the person making the request. A relative or representative cannot generally appear under another applicant’s appointment or identification.

Understand Which Records May Be Issued at the Appointment

Delivery depends on the record year and the type of copy requested:

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

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

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

Informational certified copies are mailed within 20 business days.

Applicants should not assume that appearing in person guarantees same-day issuance. The record year and certificate type control whether staff can produce the copy during the visit.

Use an Accepted Payment Method at the Office

In-person payment options listed by the county include cash, checks, money orders, major credit or debit cards, Apple Pay, and Samsung Pay. Checks and money orders must be payable to the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk. Valid identification of the signer is required when paying by check.

Card and mobile-wallet payments include a service fee. The county does not accept e-checks, temporary checks, or most foreign checks. Applicants should review the current payment instructions before traveling because fees and payment rules may change.

Check Office Services Before Choosing a Location

Not every branch provides exactly the same services. Some locations accept birth record applications and issue certain birth copies, while others may provide only unrelated county services. Use the official Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk branch office locations page to confirm the address, hours, record years available, and services offered at each location.

The Norwalk headquarters and several branch offices issue birth copies from 1962 to the present, generally with the exception of records from 1972 through 1977. Office schedules may be affected by county-observed holidays. Applicants should also remember that mail must be sent to the designated Norwalk mailing address rather than to a district office.

Submit a Los Angeles County Birth Certificate Request by Mail

A mail request works well for applicants who prefer to pay by check or money order and do not need to visit an office. The official birth certificate mail request instructions provide the application requirements and mailing details.

Complete Both Required Forms for an Authorized Copy

To request an authorized certified copy by mail, complete the Application for Birth Record and the Certificate of Identity. Sign both documents and have the Certificate of Identity notarized.

The notarized certificate must be included to receive an authorized copy. A missing notarization can delay the request. Applicants who are not authorized or who do not provide the notarized Certificate of Identity may request an informational certified copy instead.

Send the Correct Fee With the Application

The listed fee is $34 for an authorized certified birth record copy. Mail applicants may pay by check or money order made payable to the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk.

Do not mail cash. The office does not accept e-checks or temporary checks. Most foreign checks are also not accepted, although the county instructions identify exceptions for checks from Canada and Mexico. An unacceptable payment method can cause the entire request to be rejected and returned.

Mail the Packet to the Birth Records Section

Place the completed application, notarized Certificate of Identity when required, and payment in the same envelope. Review every page before mailing. Common causes of delay include:

An unsigned application.
A Certificate of Identity that was not notarized.
An incorrect payment amount.
A check made payable to the wrong office.
Incomplete birth information.
Sending the request to a branch location instead of the designated mailing address.

The county mails the record within 20 business days from the date the request is received. Telephone ordering is not available.

Handle a Birth Certificate for a Newborn or Recent Birth

A hospital does not automatically send certified birth certificate copies to the parents. The hospital reports the birth information to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, which registers the birth. A parent must still submit an application and pay the required fee to obtain a certified copy.

For a recently registered birth, most certificates become available through the Department of Public Health approximately 10 days after registration. The Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk generally receives the certificate about two months after the child’s birth.

Parents who need the certificate before it becomes available through the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk should contact the county public health vital records office. Waiting for the record to transfer between county systems can be avoided by using the office that currently holds the newly registered certificate.

Register a Home Birth Before Ordering Copies

A child born at home must first have the birth registered with the local health department. Ordering a certified copy is a separate step that can happen only after registration has been completed.

Parents should begin the registration process promptly. They may need to provide documents showing the date and location of birth, the identity of the parents, pregnancy or medical information, and evidence that the child was born in Los Angeles County. Requirements depend on the circumstances, especially when registration is delayed.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health provides official guidance for registering an out-of-hospital birth.

Correct Errors, Add a Parent, or Update a Legal Name

The Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk issues copies of existing records but does not handle every type of correction. Amendments to birth certificates are generally processed through the California Department of Public Health.

Fix a Misspelling or Other Error on the Record

If a birth certificate contains an incorrect name, date, parent detail, or other information, determine whether a formal amendment is required. The procedure may vary depending on the type of mistake and the evidence available.

Do not simply enter corrected information on a copy request. The county can issue only the record currently on file. The underlying birth record must be amended through the appropriate state process before a corrected certificate can be issued.

Add a Parent to a Birth Certificate

Adding a parent is also handled through the California Department of Public Health. Depending on the circumstances, the applicant may need a voluntary declaration, court order, parentage judgment, or other supporting document.

The state provides instructions regarding adjudication of facts of parentage. Applicants should follow the process that applies to their family and legal situation rather than submitting an ordinary county copy request.

Order an Adopted or Amended Birth Record Carefully

A person requesting the birth record of an adopted child, or a record affected by an amendment or legal name change, may order through the California Department of Public Health or the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk, depending on the record and circumstances.

When the county application includes an “ADOPTED” box, it should be checked when applicable. This alerts staff that the requested record may have been replaced, sealed, amended, or indexed under different information. Provide the current legal name and any former name that may help identify the certificate.

Respond to a No Record Statement or Search Problem

A “No Record Statement” means the office did not locate a record matching the information in the request. It does not always prove that no birth certificate exists.

Before submitting another order, review the following details:

Confirm that the birth occurred within Los Angeles County.
Check the exact spelling of the registrant’s name at birth.
Verify the date and city of birth.
Provide the parents’ names as they appeared when the birth was registered.
Consider whether the record was amended, adopted, delayed, or legally changed.
Determine whether a newly registered record is still held by the Department of Public Health.

If repeated county searches do not locate the certificate, the California Department of Public Health may be able to conduct a state-level search. The state office may also be the correct office for amended, adopted, delayed, or otherwise unusual records.

Know the Difference Between a Full Certificate and an Abstract

Birth abstracts are no longer issued by the county and cannot be replaced. An older abstract may also be rejected by the Department of Motor Vehicles or another agency because it does not satisfy current identity-document standards.

Applicants who need a document for legal identification should order an authorized certified copy of the birth record. When an agency asks for a “long-form” certificate, the county directs applicants to use one of the regular certified-copy ordering methods: online, in person, or by mail.

The Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health may issue certificates from the same registered birth information. The issuing office may differ, but the information and validity of the certified certificate are the same.

Plan Ahead for Apostille and International Use

A birth certificate that will be used in another country may require an apostille or authentication. First obtain a certified birth certificate from the county or state. The certified copy can then be submitted to the California Secretary of State for the required authentication process.

The county does not place the apostille on the certificate as part of an ordinary birth record order. These are separate transactions handled by different government offices. Applicants should also confirm whether the foreign authority requires a recent certified copy, translation, apostille, or additional consular processing.

Avoid Delays When Ordering a Certified Copy

A careful application is more likely to be processed without additional correspondence. Before submitting a Los Angeles County birth certificate request, complete this final check:

Verify that the birth occurred in Los Angeles County.
Select an authorized or informational certified copy.
Confirm that the requester is legally eligible for an authorized copy.
Enter the registrant’s name as recorded at birth.
Include the full date and location of birth.
Provide parent information when requested.
Sign the application.
Notarize the Certificate of Identity when required.
Use an accepted payment method.
Send mail only to the designated birth records mailing address.
Allow the full processing period plus delivery time.
Order well before travel, licensing, school, or legal deadlines.

Birth Certificate Departments

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

Los Angeles County Birth Certificate FAQs

Can I inspect a birth record without ordering a certified copy?

Birth certificates and indexes that are open to public inspection may be examined by appointment at the Norwalk headquarters. Available birth indexes cover records before 1905 and from 1964 to the present. You must submit an application for each record and provide enough information to identify it, such as the person’s name and approximate birth date. Random searches are not permitted, and identification is required. Inspection is generally free unless an employee must search for or retrieve more than five records. Review the county’s vital record viewing requirements before scheduling a visit.

Do I need an appointment to request a birth certificate in person?

Walk-in service is available at Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk branch offices, although applicants may also schedule an appointment. An appointment can reduce uncertainty during busy periods but does not guarantee that every certificate will be issued immediately. Records from certain years and all informational certified copies may be mailed after the visit. Check the official branch office services and hours because available services differ by location.

Can a birth certificate subpoena be submitted by email or fax?

No. The Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk does not accept subpoenas by email or fax because applicable fees must accompany the request. A subpoena must properly identify the record by providing the registrant’s name and approximate date of birth. Requests requiring a signed declaration from the custodian of records must follow the county’s designated delivery or mailing procedure. Sending the request to the wrong office or omitting payment may cause substantial delays. Consult the official birth record subpoena instructions.

Can I order a Los Angeles County certificate for someone born elsewhere?

No. The county can process only births registered within Los Angeles County. A person born elsewhere in California must request the record from the appropriate county or the state vital records office. Births occurring in another state or territory must be requested from that jurisdiction. Use the county’s out-of-county birth record directory to identify the correct government office.