Sacramento County can only issue birth certificates for children born in Sacramento County since 1850. Certificates for births prior to 1850 are not available. Newborn certificates are available approximately 4 weeks after the birth date. Call our office at 874-6334 to verify that the record is available prior to your visit.
State law requires this office to issue 2 different types of certified copies to requesters:
authorized and
informational. Both types are certified copies of the original document on file with our office.
An
authorized copy establishes the identity of the registrant (child named on the certificate).
Persons requesting an authorized copy must sign a statement, under penalty of perjury, that they are an "authorized person" as defined by Section 103526(c) of the Health and Safety Code:
- 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.
An
informational copy cannot be used for identity purposes. The certificate bears an inscription across the face of the document, stating, “INFORMATIONAL, NOT A VALID DOCUMENT TO ESTABLISH IDENTITY.” Informational copies are available to all requesters.
Fees
Order Copies
In Person
- Visit one of our office locations.
- You will be asked to complete an application. To obtain authorized copies, you must present a valid government-issued photo ID.
- Allow 20 minutes from receipt of completed application and payment to receive your certificate(s).
By Mail
- Complete and print the application form.
-
If you are ordering one or more authorized copies, complete page 2 of the application, and have your Sworn Statement notarized by a Notary Public.
- Mail your application, including the notarized sworn statement (if applicable), and payment to:
Sacramento County Clerk/Recorder
8239 East Stockton Boulevard, Suite A
Sacramento, CA 95828
-
Allow 5-7 business days from receipt of application and payment to receive your certificate(s).
By Fax
- Complete and print the application form.
- If you are ordering one or more authorized copies, complete page 2 of the application, and have your Sworn Statement notarized by a Notary Public.
- Fax the application, including the notarized sworn statement (if applicable), to: (916) 874-0947.
- Allow 5-7 business days from receipt of application and payment for fulfillment of "regular mail" orders and 2 business days for fulfillment of "expedited" orders. Note: There is an additional charge of $19.00 for expedited delivery service.
Online
- Go to www.VitalChek.com to place your order. An additional processing fee applies to all online orders. The following information is required to request certified copies online:
- Person's full name as it appears on the birth certificate
- City and state where the person was born
- Date of birth
- Mother's maiden name
- Father's name
- Reason for requesting the birth certificate
- Requestor's full name, address, and phone number
- Requestor's driver's license
- Requestor's relationship to the certificate holder
-
Allow 5-7 business days from online order submittal and payment for fulfillment of "regular mail" orders and 2 business days for fulfillment of "expedited" orders. Note: There is an additional charge of $19.00 for expedited delivery service.
