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How to obtain vital documents in California

Certain documents in life are essential. Without these documents many other procedures cannot be accomplished such as getting a passport or a license. This document explains in detail how to get these vital documents in case the have been lost or stolen or how to get duplicate certified copies.

Event: Birth

Cost of copy:
$15.00

Address:
Office of Vital Records
Department of Health Services
MS: 5103
P.O. Box 997410
Sacramento, CA 95899-7410

Remarks: State office has had records since July 1905. For earlier records, write to County Recorder in county where event occurred.

Personal check or money order should be made payable to  Office of Vital Records. To verify current fees, the telephone number is (916) 445-2684. This will be a recorded message. Information on how to obtain certified copies is also available via the Internet at http://www.dhs.ca.gov/hisp/chs/ovr/ordercert.htm.

In order to obtain a Certified Copy after July 1, 2003 you MUST complete a sworn statement included with the birth certificate application form and sign the statement under penalty of perjury. If you mail your request, your sworn statement must be notarized. If your mailed request indicates that you want a Certified Copy but does not include a notarized statement sworn under penalty of perjury, the request will be rejected as incomplete and returned to you without being processed.

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Event: Death

Cost of copy:
$13.00

Address:
Office of Vital Records
Department of Health Services
MS: 5103
P.O. Box 997410
Sacramento, CA 95899-7410

Remarks: State office has had records since July 1905. For earlier records, write to County Recorder in county where event occurred.

Personal check or money order should be made payable to Office of Vital Records. To verify current fees, the telephone number is (916) 445-2684. This is a recorded message. Information on how to obtain certified copies is also available via the Internet at http://www.dhs.ca.gov/hisp/chs/ovr/ordercert.htm.

In order to obtain a Certified Copy after July 1, 2003, you MUST complete the sworn statement included with the death certificate application form and sign the statement under penalty of perjury. If you mail your request, your sworn statement must be notarized. If your mailed request indicates that you want a Certified Copy but does not include a notarized statement sworn under penalty of perjury, the request will be rejected as incomplete and returned to you without being processed.

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Event: Marriage

Cost of copy:
$13.00

Address:
Office of Vital Records
Department of Health Services
MS: 5103
P.O. Box 997410
Sacramento, CA 95899-7410

Remarks: State office has had records since July 1905. For earlier records, write to County Recorder in county where event occurred.

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Event: Divorce

Cost of copy:
$13.00

Address:
Office of Vital Records
Department of Health Services
MS: 5103
P.O. Box 997410
Sacramento, CA 95899-7410

Remarks: Fee is for search and identification of county where certified copy can be obtained (years 1962 thru June 1984 only). For all other years or for a copy of the decree, write to Superior Court in County where event occurred. Certified copies of decrees are not available from State Health Department.

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Event: Divorce (county)

Cost of copy: Varies

Address: See remarks

Remarks: Clerk of Superior Court in county where divorce was granted.

 

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