California applies the exact same authorized-versus-informational system to birth certificates that it uses for death certificates, and the fee recently went up. For the general national picture, see our main guide on getting a birth certificate. If you’ve already read our guide on California death certificates, this system will look familiar, California treats its vital records consistently, which is genuinely useful to know once you understand it once.
California Birth Certificate Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
| Issuing agency | California Department of Public Health, Vital Records (CDPH-VR), or county recorder |
| Certified copy fee | $31, effective January 1, 2026, under Assembly Bill 64 |
| Two versions issued | Authorized Certified Copy and Informational Certified Copy |
| Governing law for eligibility | California Health and Safety Code Section 103526 |
| Authorized copy requires | A notarized sworn statement (Form VS 20) |
| Online ordering | Only through CDPH-authorized third-party vendors, no state-run portal |
| Processing time | 6 to 8 weeks by mail or online |
The Same System as California Death Certificates
California divides every certified birth certificate into one of two categories, just as it does with death certificates: an Authorized Certified Copy or an Informational Certified Copy. An authorized copy can be used to prove your identity, for a passport, driver’s license, Social Security purposes, or other official transactions. An informational copy contains the identical record information but is stamped INFORMATIONAL, NOT A VALID DOCUMENT TO ESTABLISH IDENTITY, and cannot be used for those same purposes, though it remains useful for genealogy research or general reference.
Both versions now cost the same $31 fee, so there is no cost incentive either way; the only thing that determines which one you receive is whether you meet the eligibility criteria for the authorized version.
Who Qualifies for an Authorized Copy
Under California Health and Safety Code Section 103526, authorized requesters generally include:
- The person named on the certificate, if 18 or older
- A parent or legal guardian of the person named on the certificate
- A child, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, spouse, or domestic partner of the person named
- A party entitled to the record by court order, or an attorney or licensed adoption agency seeking the record to comply with legal requirements
If you do not fall into one of these categories, you can still request an informational copy, useful for research purposes, but it will not satisfy a passport office, DMV, or similar agency requiring proof of identity.
The Fee Increased in 2026
As of January 1, 2026, CDPH raised the certified copy fee to $31, up from $29, under changes enacted through Assembly Bill 64. This applies to both authorized and informational copies equally. If you ordered a California birth certificate before that date and are comparing prices you remember to what you’re seeing now, this fee change is why the number looks different. See our guide on California death certificates for the equivalent fee change that took effect on death records the same year.
No State-Run Online Portal
Unlike some states, CDPH-VR does not operate its own website for placing birth certificate orders directly. Instead, the state authorizes a small number of independent third-party vendors, including VitalChek, State Vital Records, Vital Records Online, and GoCertificates, to electronically transmit applications to CDPH or the relevant county office. These vendors add their own processing fee on top of the $31 state charge, typically another $10 to $15, and using a vendor does not speed up the state’s own processing queue, it simply adds a convenience fee for handling the submission electronically.
How to Order
1. By mail: complete the application, including the notarized VS 20 sworn statement if requesting an authorized copy, and mail it with payment to CDPH-VR or your county recorder’s office. Processing takes roughly 6 to 8 weeks.
2. In person: visit the county recorder’s office in the county where the birth occurred, with valid government-issued photo ID.
3. Online: order through one of CDPH’s authorized third-party vendors, keeping the added vendor fee in mind.
Corrections and Amendments
If you need to correct an error on a California birth certificate, the fee structure depends on timing. An amendment submitted within one year of the birth does not carry a separate amendment fee, you simply pay the standard $31 per certified copy. An amendment submitted more than a year after the birth costs $26, which includes one certified copy of the amended record. Gender or parent designation changes are a flat $26 regardless of when they’re submitted.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between an authorized and informational California birth certificate?
An authorized copy can be used to establish your identity for a passport, driver’s license, or other official purposes. An informational copy contains the same record but is stamped as not valid for that purpose, and is intended mainly for genealogy or reference.
How much does a California birth certificate cost?
$31 per certified copy, whether authorized or informational, as of the fee increase that took effect January 1, 2026.
Can I order a California birth certificate directly from the state online?
Not directly. CDPH does not operate its own ordering portal and instead authorizes third-party vendors, which add their own processing fee on top of the state charge.
Do I need a notary to get a California birth certificate?
Only for an authorized copy, which requires a notarized sworn statement, Form VS 20. Informational copies do not require notarization.
How long does it take to get a California birth certificate?
Generally 6 to 8 weeks for mail or online orders processed directly through the state. In-person requests at a county recorder can sometimes be faster.
Bottom Line
California applies the same authorized-versus-informational structure to birth certificates as it does to death certificates, now at $31 per copy following the January 2026 fee increase. Know which version you actually need before ordering, and expect to use a state-authorized third-party vendor if ordering online. For the broader national picture, see our guide on getting a birth certificate.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Fees, eligibility rules and processing times can change; confirm current requirements directly with CDPH or your county recorder before applying.
